Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-04-03
MisCkllame1M5.
THE BARBER'S MANIA.

j Jhn Rhett, the handsomest young
man in the county, he of the raven locks
and with the beautiful black moustache
that the women adored-John Rhett
walked into the barber shop in York
vile for n shave.
1t was cold day and there were three
or four of his friends, besides several
tonsorial 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, we'll built
young fellow by the name of Henry
Carey, whom Rhett had known for a
long time The usual preparatory pro-
cess was gone through with and then
he sharpened his razor and went to
work, but he started off in manner
that made Rhett uncomfortable from
the first. This was due to tho unusual
and seemingly reckless way in which he
handled the razor. There was entirely
to much flourish about it to make one
feel easy. He would whirl it round in
one or two circles before it touched the
face, and then take il off in the same
artistic style. This may have looked
very pretty to spectator, but to 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 fellow was drink
ing. But he soon dismissed this idea
for the work was being done we'll and
skillfully as no drunken man could do
it. Finally he told Caroy he didn't like
any such fourishcs around his head and
to stop it.
But the only reply he received was
the press of the barber's finger against
bis throat, and short Kissing "keep
still
This made Rhctt mad, and he started
to express himself very forcibly. but
when he looked up at tho man who was
drawing the sharp razor over his face
his anger gave way TO far moro foar-
ful feeling The words died on his lips
and sudden chill crept over his body.
lie had looked into the wild, excited
eyes of maniac.
Don't you move or say word; II
you do III cut your throat" came again
in suppressed whisper, as that sharp,
cunning face bent near to his.
"Do you know" said the barber as
he kept on with his work "do you
know that this will be tho last shave
that intend to kill you with this same
razor 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 |
am crazy, but you are wrong. only
want to do this work in the interest OF
science | believe it will prove to be
the most painless and quickest of all
deaths If | succeed to-day, as ex-
pect to do, my method may become the
public mode Of execution in this coun-
try supplanting the gallows. You sec
what an honor it will be to have started
such a reform in capital punishment.
| NV name will become immortal. There
will be none Of the suspense attending
executions now; none of the terrible
scenes at the gallows. Yon simply take
the condemned man in for shave and
before be knows it he is in eternity"
lie kept on talking in this rapid, OK
cited way, and kept on shaving.
Rhett heard his friends conversing OF
the other side of the room, and be turn
ed his head to see if he could tell then
of his danger. But it was quickly jerk
ed back in position, and the barber told
him if he did it again or tried to ge
out Of the chair it would be the sigma
for his death. Aud tho wicked CLEAN
Of his eye more than his words showct
that he was in terrible earnest. Unde
the circumstances the intended victiu
thought it best not to move again, so h
laid there as still as death.
But his brain was not idle. II wa
working with the rapidity Of lightning
and well it might.
Rhett had always been regarded as
= cool and brave young man he ha
nroved il on more than one trying o,
casion And he determined in this la
extremity to be himself aud to meet II
: sharp cunning Of the maniac with a
equal cunning
Theu commenced fierce and hidi'