The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-03-19
THE BARRIERS MANIA.


man In the county. he Of the raven locks
that the women adOred-John Rhett
walked into the barber shop In York
vile for n shave.
II was n cold day and there were three
or four % his friends. besides several
tOnsOFial artists, standing around the
stove at the time, but the man who al
ways did his work being idle he 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 o long time.
The usual preparatory process was gone
through with and then he sharpened his
razor and went TO work, but he started
of in a manner that made Rhett uncom-
fOrable from the first This was due b
the unusual and seemingly reckless way
in which he handled the razor. There
was entirely too much flourish about Il
10 make one feel easy. He would whirl
IL round in one or two ciries before IL
touched the face, and then take Il Of
again in the same artistic style. This
may have looked very pretty 10 n spec
tatOr, but 10 the person who formed the
center Of these concentric circles, Rhett
thought it was anything but pleasant
At first he was inclined to think the fel-
low was drinking. But he soon dismissed
TINS idea, for the work was being done
web and skillfully and as no drunken
man could do It. Finally he told Casey
that he didn't like any such hOurishes
arUund his head, and TO stop il.
But the only reply he received was the
press 81 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 mp at the man who
stood drawing the sharp razor over his
fsce his anger gave way TO n far more
fearful feeling. The words died on his
lips and a sudden chill crept over his
body.
He had loOkei into the wild. excited
eyes Of maniac.
Don't you move or say q word; IL you
do III cut your throat" came again in
suppressed whisper. as that sharp, cum
ming face bent near to his.
do you know" said the barber NJ he
kept ON with the work; edo you know
that this will be your Last shave-that
intend to kill you with this same razor
the moment have finished2
81 have long wanted 10 make the ez-
pertinent" lac continued as he went rap
idly on. Just 20 see how quickly IL could
be done. Perhaps yOu think am crazy,
bat yOu are wrong. I only want 10 do
this work in the interest Of science.
believe Il will prove 20 be the most pain
less and quickest Of all deaths. n I suc-
coed today, a. I expect to do, my method
may become the public mode Of execu-
ton In this country, supplanting the gal
lows. You see what an honor IL win b
TO have started such a reform in capital
punishment Ny name viii become i'm |
mortal. There will be none Of the sns-
pense attending executions now; none Of |
the terrible scenes at the gallows. You
simply take the condemned man In for |
\ shave and before he knows Il he IL In |
eternity"
BE kept on talking In this rapid. en-
cited way, and kept on shaving.
Rhett heard his friends conversingL on
the other side Of the room. and he turned |
his head to sec IL he could tell them Of |
his danger. But 70 was quickly jerked |
back IN position, and the barber told |
him Il he did that again or tried 10 get
out Of the chair Il wonld be the signal
for his death. And the wicked CLEAN Of
his eye more than his words showed that |
he was in terrible earnest Under the |
circumstances the intended victim |
Thought Il best not 10 move again. and |
50 he Laid there n still Ne death.
But his lTrain was not idle. II wss
working with the rapidity Of lightning, |
and well IL might
Rheft had always been regarded e 9 |
cool and brave young man; he had proved !
it on more than one trying occasion
And he dessFInined In this last extremity |
10 be himself and % meet the sharp cum
ming Of the maniac With an equal cum
ming.
Then commenced fierce and hidden |
game between those two-a gains IN |
which one knew the prize for him vaa
life, and. IL he lost, the prS6t death.
Henry said the young man, and be |
smiled. though his heart was beating |
fast, lyon shouldn't Try 30 brighten .
good customer in that war. VOC know
y0a wouldn't lill an old friend like ma
'.Tn show you, Mr.. Rhett.- half |
AlrF4sked the barrier, and the cleaning |
eye grew fsrees and the voice trembisd /
with pasziss.
Rhett saw that this had only addsd |
eud 30 heAalne, and he began to despair
a. ooaciliating the mailman
s'Yesl- sid Casey. and bis wild hand |
greS wilaer and the razor pressed harder /
upgn bis yictiEais face; eyes, y0u ,nast |
dis tiia Sery hour Cor the sake Of scienoa.
Why, Il Eiil b 9 Node death Yoe
ought 30 Fesi hOaored 70 perish IN such . |
causAs
Tia Foung man was nov fIlarDughly |
frightened, and hs watched for . % |
portnnlty "a spring from the chair and |
escaps. But be ioolsa n vain. Though |
fhs barter 0rcaaionally relaxed thu siern |
80 npen hls taseuh yss he stza -