The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-03-02

game between those two-a game In
which one knew the prize for him was
life, and, if he lost, the profit death.
Henry" said the young man, and he
smiled, though his heart was beating
fast, "you shouldn't try to brighten a
good customer in that way. You know
you wouldn't kill an old friend Like me-"
"Pn show You, Mr.. Rhett," half
shrieked the barber, and the cleaning
eye grew iercer and the voice trembled
with passion
Rhett saw that this had only added
fuel to the flame, and he began to despair
of conciliating the mailman.
eyes" said Casey, and his wild hand
grew wilder and the razor pressed harder
upon his victims face; Eyes, you must
die this very hour for the sake of science.
Why, it viii be a noble death. You
ought to feel honored TO perish in such a
cause"
The young man was now thoroughly
frightened, and he watched for an OPP
portunity to spring from the chair and
escape. But he looked in vain. Though
the barber occasionally relaxed the stern
grip upon his throat, yet he still held
him with his ghttering eye.
"Yon see, the criminal win not know
that his hour is at hand. The barber
will be taken into the Jail to give him a
shave, and without a fear or tremor,
without a single thought of death, he
will be hurled into another world. Talk
about executing by electricity. but my
method viii not only be quicker, but
more painless"
ssJust a stroke like this, and it's all
over and Rhett's heart give a wild
leap, for he thought his end had come.
Casey, however, had only drawn the
back of the razor across his throat, but
with such force and rapidity that it
burned like fire.
The situation was growing desperate.
In a minute the barber would be through
with his work. With one hand he had
Rhett by the hair aud with the other
was finishing up the JOB, while his lips
kept muttering and his body swayed
with excitement. Rhett knew with the
next sweep Of thst infuriated arm ne
would meet his doom. Whatever he did
must be done instantly.
"Well, Henry" he said, as lightly as
he could, sharpen up your razor well
before you start, for l don't want any
bungling job" For he thought when
the barber turned to do this he could
leap from the chair and get away.
s'Its sharp enough for you, Mr.
Rhett," and the mailman grew madden
as he spoke; sits sharp enough for you,
sir"
He had already finished shaving.
Rhett's heart almost stood still.
Now wen see If it needs to be sharp
sr," said Casey with a demoniac laugh,
and Rhett felt a sharp sting as the keen
blade cut the skin on his throat.
But, Henry" ne rapidly calculated,
81 want you to make a C of TINS,
for it win be a blessing to the world
but if you go ON now / tell you it VIII
be q failure"
The razor stopped.
WHY asked Casey.
The rnaniac was interested. Rhett
saw that he had gained a point and he
knew his life depended upon how he
used it. He had touched upon the mans
pet mania. It seemed strange TO him
now that he had not thought oft before.
You viii maze a failure" he con-
tinued, because You have told me al
about it, and I hare already suffered
as much suspense as the criminal On the
gallows. Besides, when l feel the razor
giving me the fatal wound L viii Shrek
out in agony. and the people win say
that l suffered a terrible death. They
viii not believe you then that it would
be the most painless mode Of execution.
So You see, Henry. you would defeat the
very object you are trying TO accom-
plsh."
The barber Withdrew the razor and
held it moticnless in his hand Rheti
breathed easier and became eloquent on
the subject Of the experiment.
Now, the next man you shave,
Henry. don't say c word 10 him on the
subject, bat all at once, IN the twinkling
of an eye, put him out And l believe
you win become a greater man than ths
inventor of the grillotine."
"Well, Mr.. Rhett, | believe you ara
right about it, and he began to clos
the razor
The mania was wearing of, and in its
stead there came a playful and mischiey
u humor.
Patting his customer under the chin