Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-01-24
you are necessary for my entrances to Mir

"you are necessary for my entrances to Mir
vana"
81 had fancy" pursued the barber, rum
ming his thumb along the edge of the razor
and smiling gravely, Ito round out some per-
feet number and leave to it the determination
of the sacrifice to Buddha By inspiration
hit upon perfectly just and equitable plan.
Tho 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
1000 and marked the thousandth for sacri-
flee. You have the luck to be the thousandth
shave, sirl"
"But," said jack and his tongue seemed to
thicken in his mouth.
sob, 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: 1902, 90, 70 "a bad
week, sir), 100, 140, 121, 142, 101, ia. had
very good run of custom yesterday or l
should not have been able to make up the
number. Just nine weeks-I regard that as
significant"
Was it Jack Ashton who only few hours
before had been contemplating death with
stoical designations Here it was nova
quick, almost painless DEATH What made
his head buzz so and the canary's pipe seem
like clarion trumpet?
A chill like ice passed down his spine, and
then hot flush like fever. His voice was
steady as a parsons as he said:
''There is only one drawback to your plan.
You have made mistake in your calcula-
lions. This is not the one thousandth shave"
For the first time the barber's eyes showed
CLEAN of anger.
''Impossible' he said sharply. 81 have
gone over the sum too often to make mis-
take, although I am not an expert at fig
ures."
81 am" said Jack calmly. 81 am a bank
clerk and never make mistake. l tell you,
your count is wrong-it is 800. Whatl do
you still doubt mes Give me piece of paper
and will convince you in minute"
SIT is very strange" mutte,ed the barber,
as he laid down the razor and opened a drawer
in search Of piece of blank paper.
The cloth that the barber had tucked under
his chin was of cotton, but it answered Jacks
purpose. With bound he was out of the
chair and had flung the cloth over the bar
bers head Then, with all the strength of
fear, horror and rage, he struck with his fist
the muff1ed figure, and it fell against the cup
rack with great crash.
His knees gave way as he dashed across the
street, but his voice had strength to cry
"Helpl murder!" before he fell upon the
pavement.
Quickly a crowd collected.
s'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
his chair.
The policeman shook his head doubtingly
as he crossed the threshold to investigate
"Ive been told" said he, with a smile.
The smile died upon his lips
1.-THE thousandth shavel' 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.
"Adelei"
"Jackl Oh, knew you'd come back And
oh, Jack, don't know why, but think papa
is more inclined to like you, and heard moth
or say"-
mo matter, Adele. Tell me you forgive
me-"
Forgive you, Jackl Why, what makes
you look so pale9 Have you been ills"
GIVE been nearly dead" said Jack. And
then he told her all-The Epoch.