Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-19

that Id mnss say somscn1ng.
"I have disposed Of INV busin4s." said the
barber quietly. az have sold everything ex-
cept tho bird; Ishan give him his liberty
before go. You are the last man shall
shave"
'Ah, indeedp said Jack. making an effort
to risa
"Parion mel have use for you," he said,
"you are necessary for my entrance to Mir
vana."
81 had fancy" pursued the barber, rum
ming his thumb along the edge Of the razor
and smiling gravely, ito round ont some per
feet number and leave to it the determination
Of the sacrifice to Buddha. By inspiration l
hit upon a perfectly just and equitable plan.
The Sd Of last July was my birthday, and
from that day began to keep count Of the
number of shaves set apart the number of
/ Zoo and marked the thousandth for sacri-
fee. You have the luck to be the thousandth
shave, siri"
.sBut," said Jack, and his tongue seemed to
thicken in his mouth
'Oh, there can be no mistake" said the
barber cheerfully. THAT would not have
done at all See now, it is the 4th Of Sep
| tember-nine weeks to day. The count, by
weeks, runs as follows: 102, sc, 70 "a bad
week, sir, 100, 14O, 121, 142, 101, ia. had
a very good run Of custom yesterday or
should not have been able to make up the
number Just nine weeks-I regard that as
significant"
Was it Jack Ashton who only a few hours
before had been contemplating death with
stoical redgnationf Here it was nova
quick, almost painless death What made
his head buzz so and the canary's pipe seem
like clarion trumpeta
A CHILL like ice passed down his spine, and
then hot flush like fever. His voice was
steady as parsons as he said:
''There is only one drawback to your plan.
You have made q mistake in your calcula-
lions. This is not the one thousandth shave.
For the first time the. BARRIERS eyes showed
CLEAN of anger.
"Imposiblef' he said sharply. 81 have
gone over the sum too often to make mis-
take, although l am not an expert at fig
ures."
81 am" said Jack calmly. 81 am bank
clerk and never make a mistake. tell you,
your count is wrong-it is 999 Whatl do
you still doubt mea Give me q piece Of paper
and viii convince you in minute"
sit is very strange" muttered the barber,
as he laid down the razor and opened drawer
in search of a piece of blank paper.
The cloth that the barber had tucked under
his chin was of cotton, but 1t answered Jacks
purpose. With bound he was out of the
chair and had flung the cloth over the bar
ber's head. Then, with all the strength of
fear, horror and rage, he struck with his fist
the mufFed figure and it fell against the cup
rack with great crash.
His knees gave way as be dashed across the
street, but his voice had strength to cry
"Helpi murder!" before he fell upon the
pavement.
Quickly crowd collected.
'Save me-a madman" he gasped.
A policeman elbowed his way through.
Jack pointed feebly and shudderingly across
the way, where the barber stood calmly by
lis chair.
The policeman shook his head doubtingly
as he crossed the threshold to investigate.
"rve been told, 4" said he, with a smile.
The smile died upon his lips
"The thousandth shaveI" cried the barber,
as he sprang at him with an open razor.
The policeman had just time to strike up
the arm with one blow, and the next he
brought down with killing force on the ma
MACS head.
"Adele!"
"Jackl Oh, I knew you'd come backl And
oh, Jack, 1 don't know why, but l think papa
is more inclined to like you, and heard moth
er say''-
mo matter, Adele Tell me you forgive
me-"
Forgive you, Jackl Why, what makes
you look so palef Have you been ills'
1--WE been nearly dead" said Jack. And
then he told ker. all.-The Epoch.