The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-25
MEN WHO HALLoo "NExT."
school Where Farm Hands are Taught
to Become knights of the Razor.
Chicago Inter Ocean.)

| There is an institution of learning in
Chicago where the taciturn plowboy or
the saturnine mechanic may, in eight
and loquacious barber.
In the words of it's fifth annual cata-
logue, the barber college islands alone in
the educational world" The inquisitive
reporter, having tried several institutions
of learning which stood together, with.
out marked success, couple of days ago
climbed the dingy stairs of the barber
college at No. 112 Van Buren, street. At
the top large, unshaven man showed
him to the reception room, and he
awaited President Moler's leisure.
There were others waiting. A middle
aged woman was inquiring of the young
lady in charge for tNellie." She had.
she explained girl whom she was afraid
she should have to exchange for another;
for this girl of the first part objected to
sleeping in cold bedroom, declared she
never had slept in cold bedroom, and
didn't have to sleep in cold bedroom,
and wasn't a-goin' to sleep In cold bed
morning at O'Clock sho had made the
assertion that there was plenty of time,
and had turned over and gone to sleep
for another half hour. Seven O'Clock
was notS unreasonably early-other shops
in the neighborhood opened at 6.
A woman with big fur boa came in
TO wait for som abody She had little
boy whom she fed industriously with
bananas, and he ate far beyond repletion
for the pleasure of opening the stove
door and putting the Feelings in. When
she got too warm the woman put the boa
around the little boys neck, and he sat
proudly up and endured it. A man came
in and inquired for Miss Smith. Miss
Smith had gone to New York; but he
solaced himself with much conversation
with the young lady who told him where
Miss Smith had gone.
Thus amidst animated scenes like these
the time passed pleasantly until the presi
dent of the college was at liberty. He
talked affably with the reporter about
his institution and presented him with
It's handsome catalogue. There were
four departments; the mems and wom-
ems, shaving and haircutting, the ladies'
hairdressing, and the graduating.
Its too bad you didn't come sooner"
he said; 'we're just closing up now
One large room receives the customers,
who come in droves for the free shave
and hair cut. "They're mostly what
call hoboes,' explained President Moler.
The catalogue announces that any clean
white person will be shaved; but this is
literally interpreted to mean anybody
who would be white person if clean.
They re mostly gone now," said Presi-
dent Moler, and in truth the waiting
room was empty, and in the large mems
room the last row of hoboes alone re-
manned
On tho next day the inquisitive reporter
arose betimes and hied him down again
to the college. At the head of the steps
was the same large, unshaven man. He
looked able to handle several recalcitrant
shavees; but the reporter wondered
whether he had stipulated that he should
not be subjected to any of the expert
ments of the pupils.
This time Professor Aldrich showed the
reporter around. He exhibited the latest
arrivals, who were TREMENDOUSLY shaving
their customers. 1t was potluck for the
customers; they went to the first vacant
chair, whether at the skilled or the IN.
skilled end of the room. "But it amt
the new beginners who do the cutting;
they're too frightened and careful; it's
after they have got confidence and take to
fourishing around a Bit" Professor AL
drich explained. "When they first come
in we put EN- to honing their razors;
tell 'em when it's sharp; put man in
the chair, and show EN- how to use tow.
els and the bottle on him; how to dry
faces, and all them things. Then we
start them out for themselves and let
them sort of feel their own way"
The profession is an intricate one. Tt
will be surprise to many to learn that
shaving and haircutting are far harder
than singing, dyeing, shampooing and
seafoaming. These last are taught in the
graduating department.. A dyed NOUS
tache or manicured mails for that is
taught in the ladies' department) is
therefore no sign Of wealth; for it seems