The Southern herald., 1889-03-23


then upon the other; now in front and
then behind Robert. Shaking his head
doubtfully he went over to the boss Of
the shop, who, after long conference
with him, summoned the remaining
1--WE chair men. all Of whom confabbed
forten minutes or more, all trying to
look serious, but suffering half sup
pressed giggles to escape them from
time to time.
After what seemed an age to Bought
er the barber returned, and with an II
think It will take considerable time"
proceeded to work. He was correct.
He might also have said, ''and some
pain, too" without exaggeration.
Like the barber in the Arabian
Nights" and many Of confraternity
the world over, Bob's barber had not
the fault Of reticence, and during the
operation Of applying wash after wash,
and rubbing with such vigor as to
| threaten the removal Of the last parti-
Gle Of cuticle from the handsome face
| Of his customer, he had time to discuss
in all their phases the weather, the
prohibitory law compulsory educa-
tion, the eight-hour law, the trouble
among West Side car conductors,
Sunday morning newspapers and many
other living questions Of the day.
He had it all to himself and
warmed up eloquently, for Bob was In
too great pain to say any thing. Fin
ally, after nearly two hours OF rub
bing, scrubbing, pulling, jerking,
pushing and showing, during which
half dozen conferences had ensued be-
tween the several artists, and when
Bob, feeling that death was preferable
to the torture he was undergoing, was
about to ask for razor to apply to his
throat, the barber stopped operations,
saying:
ats no use, sir. The more / wash
! it the lighter it do grow in color. III
just my opinion that that color is sci
there forever" ~
Bob gave but one glance into the
glass. That was sufficient With
groan he sank half fainting into the
chair. His entire beard, including
his glorious mustache was beautiful
pea green. The borax or soda EN-
ployed by the barber had not only
caused the dye to set, but. had SO modi
fed the original color as to produc'
the result stated.
There was but one thing to do, ant
Bob bade the barber 60 ahead. Blu
had he been announcing his own deatl
warrant, his voice couldn't have beel
more sepulchral than when he directed
that his twenty-year beard should b
removed by the cruel razor.
It was dark and nearly seven o'clocl
when.he reached the docs Of his home
within whose sacred precincts h
longed to be that he might hide him
self from inquisitive eyes, YES" h
pondered, "why seek, to hide, sine
three old and familiar friends failed +
recognize me on the street car? II
suffered his finger to rest upon tn
electric door bell some seconds. Whel
, the hired girl timidly opened the doc
; a few inches to determine the charaC
ter Of the caller, he pushed against
, savagely, saying: "You lazy Jezebel
get out Of my way!"
But she didn't. Failing to recog
nize him in his smooth face, she rathe
! slammed the door violently to with
shrek. After the lapse Of d few me
ments he heard the window just abou
the door raise cautiously, when tn
: voice OF his wife reached him. "YoV
: had better get away. I'm expectin
my husband home every minute, an
he"
. "Oh, bother, my dear. Come dow
I and open the door. It's cold ou
! here"
: ugh! you brute. Call me you
: dearl Go away. say, or it will B
:; worse for YOU"
i "I'll not do It, l tell you. Com
q down and open the door or III smas
9 1t inn @
9 The street lamp threw its beams fu'
: upon him. That smooth face wa
g strange indeed to her. The mouth d
a vested Of its great mustache sent o.
Q tones different from what she ha
q heard when he breathed loving uttel
J ances in her ear. ss
l. "You had best get away" said th
g wife, or it will be worse for You.
P Raising his voice, he began to scolC
when down there came upon his fac
. head, shoulders and, In fact, all ov'
n him, the contents Of big wat'
n pitcher. Then the window went dow
g with slam, and all was still.
q Irresolute, Bob stood there shive
y ing for some time. when finally 1t 0
Q CURED TO him that an introduction WI
really necessary in order for him !
q enter. So he proceeded to the houl
n Of a friend block or so away, who,
y course, after brief interview and 9
planation, identified him. Bat i d
ls manded some entreaty and expostul
q tion on the part OF his friend befol
2 Bob, with chattering teeth and ga
y ments half frozen, gained admission
his own house.
2 His beard is now week old, but J
7 is searching just as diligently FOR u
% comb-seller as on the day followii
?, the catastrophe. Chicago Herald.
~ -e-
IL I'm one Of the Sunday schools i