Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1892-04-02
steps further on | do not shave ami

not provoke me"
. Bah! Whathave | to fear. Your
hand trembles like that of girl
writing her first love-letter.
Il defy yeu, Frederi the hand
which shakes with anger is firmer
than any in the hour of trial.
"You are nothing but boaster,
and / see | shall have to shave my
seIf.n
"You dare not trust your nose TO
me. You are Dragging"
"One from New Courcouroux
dares all things said the young
barber, seating himself in the profes-
sional chair, and holding up bis chin
to the enemy.
"You wish it?"
Certainly"
Very well! but will you shave
me afterwards 2"
Willinglyl One politeness calls
for another"
Agay selected, from the linen
closet, napkin exceptionally white,
soft and perfumed. He tied it around
the next of his customer, all the
while singing, in his own fashion,
some beautiful verses from Aubanal.
At length, from case, he took the
softest brush, and cody began to
lather the chin of his rival. He took
| up razor.
Listen to me well, said the bar.
Der from New Courcouroux rising
| from his seat. s:You understand
| that when one has a skin as delicate
as mine, he wishes, naturally, to
| keep it SO, but he cannot without es
| pecirl care. l know at least three
| girls who would make but single
mouthful of you should mark be
left on me; therefore, to avoid mis-
apprehension, l tell you. that if you
scratch me / will blow your head
off,
Then Frederi took from his peck
ct little revolver, cooked it, and
sat down.
"Wretch! You hope to make me
tremble, but you will not succeed
That is your affair"
The operation commenced. Agay
had never had lighter, snrer hand
his soap never SO much foam and
! perfume. Like couple of fighting
cocks, the two adversaries kept each
other in sight. Their breaths cross
ed, they were alone, each hating the
other to his utmost. The palms OF
their hands we're burning, their ing-
er tips were cold as ice. Every time
he approached the cheek OF Frederi,
Agay said, Wretchl with what joy
I could kill YOU" And at the same
instant Frederi was preparing to
shoot Agay. Each waited for the
other to make the attack. This last
ed eight minutes and forty seconds,
when the beard received its finishing
stroke.
"And now it is my turn" said the
barber of Old Courcouroux, putting
down his razor; "shave me, and in
such manner that l cannot even
suspect you of an intention to iDjure
me, for should l suspect you, a terri
BILE misfortune will befall you"
Without replying, Frederi washed
his neck under the faucet.
Agay seated himself. He leaned
his head upon the back of the chair,
holding in his hand an uncorked
vial, while he smiling looked at his
adversary.
sis it cordial to give yeu lit
tie courage?' asked the barber of
New Courcouroux, tying napkin
around the next of his rival.
mo, my son; it is vitriol, which
shall throw in your face if you cut
me-"
"Good! 1t is well to know al
ways what to expect. And Frederi
began to work. His hand ran over
the visage of his enemy with precis
ion, rapidity, and lightness, and
Agay would have doubted that Ere
deri had touched him, had he not
seen In a mirror the details of the
performance.
In four minutes the task was CON-
pleted
'sPut down your bottle now, and
thank God,'' said the champion of
New Courcouroux, for if l had ruff
fed your skin, I should have cut
your throat"
"Blood of Christ |" exclaimed
Agay, caressing his chin. "that is
| what call the work Of master-a
master. Eli! man, have in the cell
lar choice wine of Roussilon, which
/ will gladly open in your honor
Will you empty bottle with me y
1.-TWO bottles are better than one,
my comrade; / will drink with you,
for you have stout heart and sure
touch. But you, in turn, must visit
me, for |, also, have good wine, and
at your service"
aAgreed Your hand, friend, and
for life."
Admitted the Facts,