Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-01-25
IN A BARBER SHOP ON NEW YEARS.
Double Rates After 1 O'Clock and OnI,
Single Rates in u Man. Pocket.

Double Rates After O'Clock and Only
Single Rates in Man. Pocket.
1t was 1890 O'clock and on the wall of
the barber shop was a gayly lettered sign
informing those to whom it might be of
concern that after p. In. on New Years
day the rates for shaving and hair cut
ting would be doubled. Every chair was
full and there were five men waiting for
the "nexts" when Mr. De Lay came in.
1t was absolutely necessary that Mr.. De
Lay should have his hair cut and his face
shaved, for he was to dine that evening
with his aunt, and one of his aunt's guests
was a young woman in whom Mr. De
Lay took more than passing interest.
There was a bored expression on the
young mans face until his eye caught the
fancifully arranged notice. Then he
paled 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 jingled
slightly, he drew his hand hastily from
the pocket and blushed.
There were four men ahead of him
now, and it was twenty-five minutes of
l. No one of those in the chairs was
having his hair cut. He begaR a little
mental calculation. Ten MINUTES each
for the men in the chairs would make il
quarter to l, but one man had Just
taken his chair; allow him twelve min
utes.
Two of the other four men might
tboir la,
them over the hour, but ten minutes
each for the other two would leave five
minutes leeway for Mr.. De Lay. He
became more cheerful, but he watched
every stroke of the shining razor blades
and listened closely for every vicious
snap of the scissors. He figured the
time down so closely that he picked out
the chair which would fall to his lot
1t was 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 a minute or two.
''Your hair needs cutting, sir, very
badly" said one barber with a wise air.
and Mr.. De Lay felt his heart grow
heavy.
''Oh, no." was the answer, and Mr..
De Lay smiled feebly.
1T looks very ragged, SIR" Mr.. De
Lay said something under his breath.
"Well, as long as l am here, you
might trim it." Mr.. De Lays face looked
like thunder cloud ready to burst.
1t was a close race now, and Mr.. De
Lay watched the clock in an agony of
suspense. His turn was next, but only
seven minutes were left. His only hope
now rested in one chair. He might
catch it with one or two minutes to
spare, but the barber was intolerably
slow. He was doing more talking than
shaving.
THAT was a bad murder" said the
barber, stopping to strop his razor-why
Mr.. De Lay failed to see. Il knew that
Johnston myself"
johnson, wasn't it," said the man in
the chair, comfortably.
mo, sir; Johnston. knew him"
well, thought it was johnson"
''Tn get paper and show you," said
the barber, taking a towel and wiping
his hands slowly.
''Oh, never mind No doubt l am
wrong. didn't read it carefully"
Il want to get it now just to satisfy
myself"
Its Johnston" groaned Mr.. De Lay.
He did not know whether it was John
ston, johnson or TOMBSTONE, but he knew
that it was useless to contradict that
barber, and it was now four minutes
of l.
The barber looked at him with smile.
"Oh, yes, it's Johnston. I'll show YOU"
He began to search through big pile
of papers on the table. When he found
the paper it was three minutes of l.
There" said the barber in triumph,
unfolding the paper. Here it is: 10
seph Johnston, well to do baker, was
attacked in his own house last night by
an old enemy and was shot through the
heart, being killed instantly / was
sure it was Johnston" He read on for
half dozen lines more, dwelling on the
name Johnston with great satisfaction.
You see," he said, stropping his ra-
zor again, forgetting that he had Just
gone through that useless performance,
Il seldom make mistake on Names"
One and a half minutes to l. The
shaving was finished and the man was
out of the chair. One minute more and
Mr.. De Lays groan was audible to every
one in the room.
johnson" said the barber, detaining
the man, was as quiet as any man in
the world. He never harmed soul.
lived next to him for three years"
One O'Clock.
"Thank you, sir; a happy New Year
Nex-x-xt?' turning to Mr.. De Lay. who
vas fumbhng nervously in his pocket.
Thirty seconds past L.
Hair cut, sir? Needs it very badly"
"No," gloomily; shave. New York
Tribune.
Two Girls.
EIla-I fell in love for fun. And YOU