Morris tribune., 1901-12-07

e
painless.
Gust a stroke like this, and it's
ali over" and Rhett's heart gave q
wild leap, for he thought his end
had come.
Casey, however, had only drawn
the back of the razor across his
throat, but with such force and Fa-
pidity that it burned like fire.
The situation was growing des-
perate. In minute. the barber
would be through with his work.
With one hand he had Rhett by the
hair and with the other was finish
ing up the job, while his lips kept
muttering and his body swayed with
excitement. Rhett knew with the
next sweep Of that Infatuated arm
he would meet his doom. Whatever
he did must be done instantly.
"Well, Henry" he said as lightly
as he could, sharpen up your razor
well before you start, for I don't
want any bungling job" For he
thought when the barber turned to
do this he could leap from the chair
and get away.
"1t's sharp enough for you, Mr..
Rhett," and the mailman grew mad
der as he spoke; Sits sharp enough
for you, sir." =,
He had already finished shaving.
Rhett's heart almost stood still.
tsNow we'll see if it needs to be
sharpened, /" said Casey, with de-
moniac laugh, and Rhett felt a
sharp sting as the keen blade cut
the skin on his throat.
ssBut, Henry" he rapidly ejacu-
lated, II want you to make success
of this, for it will be a blessing to
the world-but if you go on now /
tell you'it will be a failure"
The razor stopped.
"Why?" asked Casey.
The maniac was interested. Rhett
saw that he had gained point, and
he knew his life depended upon how
he used it.. He had touched upon
the mans pet mania. It seemed
strange to him now that he had not
thought Of itibefore.
"You will make a failure" he
continued, ssbecause you have told
me all about it, and have already
suffered as much suspense as the
criminal on the galloWs. Besides,
when I feel the razor giving me the
fatal wound I will shrek out in ag-.
or, and the people will say that !
suffered a terrible death. They will
not believe you then that it would
be the most painless mode Of execu-
ton. So, you see, Henry, you would
defeat the very object you are try
ing to accomplish"
The barber withdrew the razor
and held it motionless in his hand.
Rhett breathed easier and became
eloquent on the subject of the ex-
pertinent.
s'Now, the next man you shave,
Henry, don't say a word to him on
the subject, but all at once, in the
twvinkIing' Of an eye, put him out.
And ] believe you will become a
greater man than the inventor Of |
the guillotine."
"Well, Mr.. Rhett, I believe you
are right about it, !" and he began to
close the razor.
The mania was wearing off, and 1
in its stead there came a playful and |
humor.
Patting his customer under the
chin, "Ah, Mr.. Rhett," he said, |
''you would look so much better
without your mustache. Now, don't |
you want me to take it off for you?"
Afraid to cross him in his humor,
Rhett replied, though it almost
broke his heart to say it:
"Why, certainly, Henry, if you
think it will look better"
On went the lather, and IN an
other minute the beautiful silken
strands were no more than the with |
red leaves Of the forest.
'sNow, Mr.. Rhett, if you had your
hair clipped you would look SPLEEN
lid. Don't you want me to take it
off?"
"Of course, Henry, clip it, came
from those anguished lips. He was
wiling to say or do anything to
get that razor back into its case.
So*the clippers were brought out,S
md in less than two minutes he
vas slicker than newborn rat.
But if his head was light his
1eart was, too. when he arose from
he chair, and never in all his life
lid he feel SO willing and happy to
oay for shave and hair cut.
OF course everybody laughed at
him when he went out on the street,
md the wind blew cold about his
.1J M h;o 4-:n,oJn ~ o..% AZ -,