The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-22
WILL SELLS HAS FUN,
Though 1t Costs him Good Sized Roll to
Have It.

Have It.
1t is popular fallacy to suppose that
circus magnates spend their winter
months in the suburbs omewhere, wash
ing wagons and currying horses, prepar-
atOry to their spring campaign. This is
a mistake, and big mistake
William Sells is one of these. Accord
ing to the Dramatic News, one of the
leading theatrical papers of the country,
Sells paid 800 to his business partner to
shave off his beard.
The Mirrors story says:
James NJ. Hamilton (Jim( and William
Sells, of the great syndicate shows, now
wintering at Denver, had great time in
Cincinnati the other day. Hamilton, who
with his partner, Hummen, operates the
privileges with the Great Syndicate
Shows, reached an agreement for next
season on Saturday last, and in the even
ing to celebrate the contract sat down to
"bird and bottle" at the Stag. Mr..
Sells jeered at the shining imperial and
scOffingIy declared that Mr. Hamilton
was afraid to come out from behind the
hair and let people see what he really
looked like
"I'l give you $50 if you'll shave off
the wind disturbers," quoth he.
sect the barber" shrieked Hamilton,
''the 500 is mine"
In response to a telephone message d
barber came over from a near by shop
with clay out" of tools Squaring him
self in his chair Hamilton prepared for
the ordeal. The whiskers were soon
overlaid with an immaculate coating of
soft, creamy lather.
"a bottle Of wine-he weakens,"
whispered Sells to Colonel George Camp
bell and John ]. Regain.
Splitting out a mouthful of foam Ham
Rri1 hot
The occupants of the cafe laid down
their knives and forks and stood up to
witness the tonsorial operation. The
barber stropped his razor and, catching
hold of Col Hamilton's nose, DEITY
whacked away the hair. In two minutes
the circus mans face was as smooth as a
boys Then be reached out his good
right hand and closed it over the yellow
backed fifty dollar note. Next he tossed
off a glass of wine.
"Bet you the cigars you won't let him
part your hair in the middle" wagered
Sells. A wave of the hand set the barber
at this task, and fat rotund Perfecto
was soon burning between Col. Hamil-
toms lips.
ANY other coyote around here want
to make any more bets on my hair?" de-
manded the winner, as he toyed with a
beaker of champagne. Il have a little
=
Sells held a conversation with his
friends and then came forward with a
bet that Colonel Hamilton would not
permit the barber to shave his head
"Hell quit like Gutenberg dog
said the ex-bare back rider, as he reach
ed for his roll But he was mistaken
''Is the money up? It is. Then bar
Der, get to work. reckon Jim HaInil-
ton can stand off the weather with q seal
skin cap for week or two for $5O.''
Ten minutes afterward the gay and
dashing circus man looked like
convict No. 2167 in the Ohio penitentia
ry. But he didn't forget to reach out
and get the crisp bill in the referees
hands.
"Who says times are hard when a man
can get bunch of money like that for a
clean shave and a hair cut?" he de-
manded. Then the other side realized
that he had the best of the contract But
it wasn't until he got home that he
wasn't the winner all the way through
1t will take the family dog at least
week to get on familiar terms with him
and the policeman on the beat will have
TO be instructed not to hold him up al
nights. He will not be at divine service
this morning, nor perhaps next Sunday
The whiskers and hair were boxed VI
by bIr. Sells and today will be shipped
TO their mutual partner, John Hummell
in Chicago. the parcel being marked
$3.50 G. o. Do In the meantime Colonel
Hamilton will receive sealed proposals
for unlimited quantities of hair restorer