The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-09-08
%What caE ! do for you, sir?"


In the-what a very singular head you
have there I'm the window"
do you think so, sir?'
Eyes. Can it be possible that it is
CT any use to you?"
"Oh, yes; it serves to attract Gus
toners, and to display wigs. And
then, you know, it is one of the acces-
series of our business"
But" said 1, hotiy, "why do you
not have a bust? You certainly should
have a bust" He was staring at me.
| went on more calmly: Besides,
with bust, handsome pair of Shout
ders, a necklace. or something of the
kind, your window would look much
more attractive"
Every true, sir" he replied, 'but
such things cost money, and money,
sir, is something not very plentiful in
this shop
l grew excited again. l could not
help it. 81 do not care" said L; that
object there looks like genuine head
"a human head. There are people
whom such things affect. A nervous
shock might be caused"
He burst into a roar of laughter.
l changed my tone. / became hum
BILE. admitted that the head pro-
duced a sinister impression on me, and
begged him to remove it.
why" said he, "if you are so ner-
vous, you had better change your
lodgings. 1t is easy to do that. l do
not see why l should injure my bust
ness on account of your whims.'
He was right. 1 could not rightfully
ask him to do it. But change my
lodgings-what q bitter jest! | could
not pay for those l had, much less Sc
cure new ones, with payment in adj
vance required. l went out detected
ly, my head bent, and left the Thing
still in the window. And yet they call
me ferocious.
But my torture was only begun.
The barber told his neighbors OF my
visit. / became a show for the gig
Cling shop-keepers. They would keep
watch for my gOings and comings, ana
when | passed the window with
ayerted face. they would chuckle and
sneer. Even the little children would
point their fingers at me, and their
childish trebles would join the sheer
ing laughter of the elder fools.
I wonder | did not do murder then
One day my friend Arnold came to
see me-the only friend l had in the
great city. He brought good news
he had secured a place for me as clerE
i'm an office. The pay was wretchedly
small, but it was a place. l coult
have wept for joy. pressed Arnold:
hand conyulsively, and thanked hin
as few men are thanked. l was tt
take the place in two days. He lief
me happy man.
The next evening 1 was seated II
nv room. 1t was cold, and l wa
shivering, for l had no fire. 1t wa
the twentieth of February. Oh. yes
remember the date. l can never fOr
get it. As l sat there, thinking owe
my unexpected good fortune, an
pinching myself, partly to keep war;
and partly to be sure l was awake,
heard a knock. l opened the door. !
letter. unfolded it and read:
Dear Strive regret to inform 70
that the position which was secure
for you in our employ by Mr.. Arnol
is no longer vacant. 1t has been file
by the appointment of relative
one of the members of the firm. YOU
very truly,
I crumpled the letter convulsivel
in my hand. The room began to viii
I around me. l staggered and fell
. the floor.
When / recovered my senses ne
' and strange light fell upon my dazt
; eyes. The curtain was drawn, b.
G still the light came through. Mechar
4 cally / pulled aside the curtain to s.
a what 1t could be. l reeoiled. For Il
q barber had fitted up his window wi
q cas-iets, and in the centre of an azure
J. la of ten lights appeared the Wax
r Head.
al I glanced at it. There was the sar
naughty look from its CLASSY eyes, t
a same sneering smile upon its paint
4 lips. They moved swear l saw the
/ move.
10 With a hoarse cry l bounded fire.
N the room. In two seconds l was
10 the villains shop.
= "Scoundrelv' l Kissed, you ha
"A Knocked at me-you shall never aga
;. have the chance"
4 "Pooh!' said he, insolently; "wha
a the matter with you? Go and sic
. the liquor Off"
: There was q sheer upon his Zoe
10 face as he spoke.
u A knife came to my hand.
:. There was no sheer upon his VIII
% face when he died.-San Francis
10 Argonaut.
ii Cattle Raising In Mexico.