The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-05-22
A CURIOUS MANIA.
John Rhett'S Narrowing Expert
ence in a BARRIERS Chair

y
man in the county, he of the raven
locks and with the beautiful black
mustache that the women adored-
John Rhett walked INTO the barber
shop in Yorkville for a shave.
1t was cold day and there We're
three or four of his friends, besides sew
eral tonSorial artists. standing around
the stove at the time; but the man who
always did his work being idle, ohe
walked directly over and threw himself
into the comfortable chair.
The barber was tall, well-built
young fellow by the name of Henry
Casey, whom Rhett had known for a
long tiTae. The usual preparatory
process was gone through with and
then he sharpened his razor and went
30 work, but he started off in a manner
that made Rhett uncomfortable from
the first. This was due to the unusual
and seemingly reckless way in which
he handled the razor. There was en-
tirely too much flourish about il to
make one feel easy. He would whirl
il round in one or two circles before it
touched the face, and then take it off
again in the same artistic style. This
may have looked very pretty To a spec
tator, but to the person who formed the
center of these cOncentric circles,
Rhett thought it was any thing but
pleasant. At first he was inclined to
think the fellow was drinking. But he
soon dismissed this idea, for the work
was being done well and sl1illfulIy and
as no drunken man could do it. Final
ly he told Casey that he didn't like any
such hOurisheS around his head, and to
stop it
But the only reply he received was
the press of the BARRIERS finger against
his throat, and short kissing keep
still
This made Rhett mad, and he started
to express himself very forcibly, but
when he looked up at the man who stood
drawing the sharp razor over his face,
his anger gave way to a far more fear
full feeling. The words died on his lips
and sudden chill crept over his body.
He had looked into the wild, excited
eyes of a maniac
Don't you move or say a word; If
you do III cut your throat" came again
in n suppressed whisper, as that sharp,
cunning face bent near to his.
DO you know" said the barber. as he
kept on with the work; do you know
that this win be your last shave-that i
the moment have finished?
Il have long wanted To make the ex-
pertinent" he continued, as he went
rapidly on, Just to see how quickly il
could be done. Perhaps you think l am
crazy, but you are wrong. l only want
to do this work in fhc interest of
science. / believe it viii prove to be
the most painless and quickest of all
deaths If / succeed to-day. as / ex-
pect to do, nay method may become the
public mode of execution in this coun-
try, supplanting the gallows You see
what an honor it viii be TO have started
such reform in capital punishment.
My name will become immortal There
will be none of the suspense attending
executions now; none of the terrible
scenes at the gallows. You simply
take the condemned man in for a shave
and before he knows it he is in eterni-
ty."
He kept on talking IN this rapid, ex-
cited way, and kept on shaving.
Rhett heard his friends conversing on
the other side of the room and he
turned his head to ses if he could tell
them of his danger. But it was quick
ly. jerlzed back in position and the
barber told him if he did that again or
tried to get out of the chair it would be
the signal for his death. And the
wicked CLEAN of his eye, more than his
words, show ed that he was in terrible
earnest. Under the circumstances, the
intended victim thought it best not to
move again, and SO he lai9there as still
as death.
But his brain was not idle. 1t was
working with the rapidity of lightning
and well it might.
Rhett had always been regarded as a
cool and brave young man; he had
proved it on more than one trying occa-
sion. And he determined in this last
extremity to be himself and to meet the
sharp cunning of the maniac with an
equal cunning.
Then commenced a fierce and hidden
game between those two, 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 frighten a
good customer in that way You know
you wouldn't kill an old friend like
me-"
IN 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 mad man.
Yes" said Casey. and his wild hand
grew wilder, and the razor pressed
harder upon his victims face; '.yes, you
must die this very hour for the sake OF
science. Why, it will be 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
PortunitS to spring from the chair and