New-York tribune., 1890-01-12
IN BARBER-SHOP ON NEW YEARS. Day.
DOUBLE RATES AFTER ONE O'CLOCK AND ONLY
SINGLE RATES IN A MANS POCKET

SINGLE RATES IN MANS POCKET
It II 80 O'Clock and on the wall of the barber
shop was a gayly lettered sign informing those 10
whom it might he Of concern that after p. m. on
this New Years Day the rates for shaving and hair
cutting would be doubled. Every chair was full and
there were five men waiting for the "neXts' when
Mr. De Lay came in 1t absolutely necessary
that Mr. De Lay should have his hair cut and his face
shaved, for he to dine that evening with his
aunt and one Of his aunt's guests was young
in whom Mr.. De Lay took more than pass
ing interest There was bored expression on the
young mans face until his eye caught the fancifully
arranged notice. Then he palcd slightly and glanced
hurriedly at those who were "ahead OF him. He
felt cautiously in his waistcoat pocket running his
fingers over the silver there piece by piece When
the coin jinced slightly he drew his hand hastily
from the pocket and blushed.
There were four men ahead of him now and 1T was
twenty five minutes Of I. No one of those in the
chairs having his HAIR cut lie began little
mental calculation. Ten minutes each for the men
in the chairs would make it quarter TO l. but one
man had just taken his chair; allow him twelve
minutes. Two OF the other four men might want
their hair Cut and that would run them over the
hour, but ten minutes each for the other Two Woud
leave five minutes leeway for Mr. De Lay. lie be-
came more cheerful but he watched every stroke
of the shining blades and listened closely for
every vicious snap of the scissors. lie figured the
time down closely that he picked ont the chair
which would fall to his lot.
It was a quarter OF the hour now. Two men had
stepped from their chairs and two more were about
ready to leave them. They were little behind time
but only minute two.
"Your HAIR needs cutting sir. badly" said ono
barber with a wise air. and Mr.. De Law felt his
heart grow heavy.
"Oh no. the answer. and Mr.. De Lay smiled
feebly.
- he cir Mr. q
thing under his breath.
We'll, as long as | am here. Won might trim IT.
Mr. De Lays face looked like a thunder cloud ready
to burst.
1t was close race now. and Mr. De Lay watched
the clock in an agony Of suspense. Ills urn was
next but only seven minutes were left. Ills ONLY
hope now rested in one chair. He might eaten 1t
with one or two minutes to spare but the barber
intoerably slow. He was doing more tanning
than shaving.
That was bad murder said the barber. stop
ping to strop his razor-wly Mr.. De Lay failed 10
see Il knew that Johnston, myself -, .,.,.
Johnson, wasn't it," said the man in the CHAIR
80. siT. Johnston. 1 knew him
well thought Il ,gas Johnson
"IT get paper and show yon sad thc barocr'
taking towel and |lpins M, , ha"d' an ,I9"T Wrong
didn't read it carefully .,-,. ,,,.o,,-
Il want get IT now Just to saii'fy myself, o,o
not know whether il was Johnston Johnson or Jonto
tone but he know that II was useless 10 S"h'r"n''
that barber and il was now four minutes ~ J. ,
The barber looked at him with smile. ""h'
vc- il Johnston. I'll show you.'
H., h..,,t, to search through q big pile 81 paper"
on the table When ne found the paper il was three
Thcrc7 said the barber. I'm triumph nniodlnI
the paper 90 Here it is: Joseph Johnston, & Wcn
tod6 baker. was attacked in his own house last nls'
by an old enemy and was shot thronth the 3 mart
bciur killed instantly was sure IL wa '"hhf
Ion lie read on for half a dozen lines more
dwelling on the name Johnston with great sati'iA'
ton ,... ~ 100. ..,i, f,r
Getting that ne had Just gone through tlht ue''---
,,-f,rn,anrn seldom make a mistake ou names.
one and one half minute, to !. The shaving Wa9
finished and the man ont Of the 'hAT' ',i,,'
minute more and Nr. Dc Lays groan Wa' auo'n'c
" Ii,.nu .,id the barber. OBTAINING the man. va.
AZ ouict a. anv man I'm the world. lie never ndIH''
a s6nl / lived next 10 him for three years
Thank you sir: happy New Ycar-Ney Y xt -
turning 10 Mr. De Law. who was himbhng herVousN
in his pocket.
Han emf. Sir? Nccds it very badly
No cloOmily. "shavc!'