Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-22
An Antiseptic TonsorinIist.

harrisburg Letter In Washington start
Walking out of the park the other day
to Third street, which is its western
boundary, l espied a sign on the window
of a shop reading "Antiseptic Tonsorial-
list" My risibilities were tickled, ana,
needing a shave. L concluded TO patron
ize the place. Entering, / found myself
IN a neat, clean room, containing two bar
Der chairs, and the equipments usual 10
such a business. There was a fresh, pal
samic odor in the air. mulatto, with
an unusually intelligent face, square, de-
termined jaw. pleasant mouth ana
strong black eyes, arose from q seat as
/ entered.
"Is this the carbolical hirsute-removing
establishment" / inquired. The man
smiled YEARLY.
Eyes. sir" he replied, turning on the
warm water at stationary washstpnu
and proceeding TO wash his hands. rake
| a chair sir"
| 81 see" he remarked politely, as he
| dried his fingers, that you are ilKe many
| other gentlemen, who regard my "ihuo"
| sign humorousy."
| | was struck with the mans tone and
| language. / had just been reading ABOUT
the movement in France In favor OF COM
pelling reform in the management OF par
her-shops. and had seen a recent item
about the beginning OF such movement
in baltimore. I Strengthened up In the
chair.
"Does that sign mean what 1t says?
inquired.
precisely" was the reply "This is
nractical antiseptic barber-shop."
"TelI me all about IL, and give me ar
| obtec, lesson" / said, lying back TO b.
lathered.
The proprietor took a small piece o
shaving soap. 49,,
lyon see, sir" he said II place thu
SOAP in an absolutely clean cup l use
different piece for each customer. 1 tax
7 my brush, you see, from a sterihzinl
drawer" Here he pulled open sInai
drawer in a square tin box about q"
and a half feet each way, with serie
of gas Jets underneath II. The brush wa
hot and as dry as finder. II keep m
r towels in this larger compartment. Whel
. they come from the wash they are place
I'm there, and left all night at tempera
> ture OF 300 degrees. That steriliZes then
. completely, as you are aware that gerr
8 life cannot exist at that temperature"
The man was getting very interesting
> / got up out OF the chair.
e Before you shave me-" l said, "sho'
, me all your outfit. Then you can tai
r while you work"
The oven-like tin box was composed {
a the large compartment containing m
towels. and on the side was series {
r drawers Three OF them containe
}. shaving brushes; three others containe
9 combs and brushes. the former of alum
v mum and the backs OF the latter OF n
! same material The bristles were as clea
: as the shining backs.
, II use all the shaving-brushes and TN
q sets OF combs and brushes in rotation.
n he said. I'm this" he remarked. calm
\ attention to a round copper boiler with
. half cover, containing interstices. II clea
= my shaving brushes and my razors. NO
= this razor blade looks perfectly clean.
- put n razor in the boiling water minu'
and then wipe II on piece OF chamo
- skin"
He did this and held up the skin
"You see the skin has BLACK streaks Q
IL. You can't make a razor too clean
- put IL on a customers face"
n The razor had an aluminium handle.
3. had all the others in the shop.
Ii IT thought out all this thing myself
ID he said. when got back in the chat
n II was disguised with the dirt In the ba
le her business. / was In IL and knew WIN
IN n was. worked In shops where the san
,oI lather was used on evcfy customer IN
of took the chair. and the same spoise W