Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-06-19
HE SHUNS MIRRORS.
SEVENTEEN YEARS SINCE THIS MAN
SAW HIS REFLECTION.

The Result Of Bet Nsds with . Young
LAAy-what His Experience Has Taught
Hin-wm Not Tell What He WIN Re-
esivs II He Wins and Hen Win.
Did 1t ever occur to you when You have
made that easily spoken answer, I can't,
to some proposition that II you only made
up your mind and put down your foot you
could a. readily ssy, 81 will, +" and, what
more, adhere to the resolution II you
have mover thought Of this and you have
tho time and inclination to consider what
. manor woman either, for that mat
ter-can do when he Is determined 1t shall
be done, read this story:
1t Is about man who, when he was II
years old, said to friend who had been
bantering him that he would not volun-
20 years. Think Of that length Of time!
1t was Just as long as Rip Van Wrinkle
slept, and you know how he changed in
that period. Seventeen years Of that num-
Der have come and gone, and this man of
strong will says he has kept his promise,
and this, too, in the face of all manner of
devices on the part Of hts friends to make
him take q glimpse Of himself
This man who does not see himself as
others sec him is we'll known in business
circles. There Is nothing about him which
should make him refrain from having as
much use for mirror as any other man.
About 33 years old, Of the average height
and well built, his dark face is an intelli
gent, attractive one, his mustache is well
trimmed, and his hair, which is somewhat
spare ut the temples, is as nicely parted
and as carefully brushed as that Of any Of
his fellows. His necktie, too, is tied in
the most approved fashion, and indeed his
whole appearance Is that of tho well groom
cd man who spends an hour or two every
morning before his dressing case, making
sure that everything Is just SO before he
presents himself to the gaze Of the public.
In the days OF his youth he must have
been very handsome boy, and there is
little doubt that he took as much pleasure
from his own image in the glass as any
youngster. 1t may be that he was given
to gazing at himself too frequently, for it
was from this penchant that his resolution
grew.
He was visiting young lady acquaint-
ance one day, and she caught him looking
into O mirror every few minutes. She
knew him so well that she felt at liberty
to remark:
"1'u wager that you could not keep
your eyes from mirror for an hour"
Perhaps his pride was touched by the
innocent words. At any rate he replied:
II can, and not only for one hour but
for enough Of them to make 20 years"
This was seemingly so preposterous that
the young lady offered to make a wager
for anything he pleased then and there,
and so the bargain was closed. There are
few who know what are the terms of the
bet, and there may be nice little TO-
nance hidden behind it all. But that's
not the subject Of the story. Enough 1t
Is to know that he says that from that day
to this he has never glanced into mirror
or, in fact, at any surface that would
cast his reflection-and those who know
him we'll do not hesitate to say that this
Is undoubtedly so.
ut was a little inconvenient at first, l
must admit" he said to me the other day,
"for knew my hair wasn't parted well,
and that my necktie must DO all askcw
But after a few days tho awkwardness
passed away, and you may easily imagine
that at this time the last thing 1 ever
think Of is looking into mirror
He has been shaved in barber shop in
an up town street Off Broadway for many
years, and his popularity is known to all
the BARRIERS. He was in the propretor's
chair one day, and his eyes were closed.
The man Of razors took a small hand
glass, held 1t close to his face and sudden
ly exclaimed:
"Oh, lookP'
But that was an old game to his custom
er. Keeping his eyelids shut, he turned
his face to ono side, cautiously opened one
eye and then slowly moved his head until
no could sec that the barber held some
thing in his hand.
II guess not" he said as he put out his
hand and showed the glass aside. II have
been tried that way too often in the last
II years to be caught now"
He has gone to the same tailor for years,
and he never looks at himself as he dons
new suit. His tailor knows what he
wants, Is aware that some of his friends
would inform him if his garments did not
fit him as they should, and in addition to
all this feels that he Is put on his honor to
do the right thing by q customer who puts
faith in him. And no one can truthfully
say that he is not well dressed man. So
1t is also with his halter. He looks at the
style Of the hat he desires to wear after
having made o careful selection, but he
leaves it all to the tradesman and to his
friends as to whether in shape and other
wise it is suitable to his face
"What has all this taught your"
"That man can do many things, If he
will, which may seem almost impossible to
him at first blush. 1t has helped me in
many ways. was a very heavy smoker,
10 or 10 cigars day being my average.
My doctor asked me to stop on the first of
tho year and not to smoke until Feb l.
did 1t without any trouble. No, it was
not New Years resolution, and probably
that was the reason it was not broken.
After the first month he told me could |
have cigar after each meal, and I don't |
eat more than three meals day."
when the 90 years is passed, will you |
look into q mirror"
II will indeed, and think will take |
more pleasure out Of it then than If / |
had been looking at myself all the time"
"Does the lady with whom you made |
the wager know how you have kept your
vow?"
"Now, now, my boy. Well, don't mind |
telling you that she does, and that she has |
often asked me why did not give up my