Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-10-07

have four men waiting for me, but any l of these men will give you a fine shave"
 After awakening the barber at the i first empty chair. I sat down. He giared at me sayagely, and said: Hail cut" Do you think 1t needs it?" I asked Well, 1t needs a little trimming around the edges. and ought to be washed"
 "So" answered. "Strange-just had it cut, and my head shampooed in Cleveland day before yesterday. Guess I'll let it go for another day. Just give me shave, now"
 At this he grabbed towel, and plac- ing 1t over my shirt front, began stuf- fling 1t viciously down my neck.
 Why didn't you let your friend up there shave you? I saw you shake hands with him."
 ''Did you see that?" asked.
 "Of course did"
 "How could your" inquired, when you were 30 sound asleep had to awaken you?"
 Having finished lathering me. he brought out an old blade as wide as a case knife and began to rake me up one way and down the other. l Now, see here," said, you put away that old hoe, and get out your best razor, and give me as good a shave as you ever gave a man in this shop, or I'll bump your head up against that mirror good and hard. Now, don't fool away any more time, for I mean business.
 No man ever got down to business more quickly than he did, and there. after he was courtesy itself. He even grew confidential, and had no trouble in obtaining his opinion of the tall man with whom had just shaken hands, and who, by this time, had another gray beard in his chair and others waiting
 Jealousy and contempt do not sufi- ciently express this barbers feeling for the tall man, who hadS outdone them all, mentally and financially. Every man who has been a constant patron of barbers knows that there are no men in the world more jealous of one another. To stand by and see the tall man raking in coin on graft that had held good for 20 years was surely enough to make less fortunate barDers turn green, with envy.
 It isn't only the system of graft, but the tipping, that is demoralizing the the barber, the better class of trade he will command, and there is no reason why he should permit himself to re-, main on a level with the Englisl lackey or the French table waiter.
 If every frst-class barber shop would charge 25 cents for shave, and forbid tips, the patrons would be bet ter satisfied. while the barbers would be as we'll compensated.
 
 Relating these barber gratis reminds me of the following episode:
 Fifteen years ago, while resident of Chicago. I had barber named Dick, at one of the leading shops. to whom I endeavored to give all my work.
 One time I had occasion to go on a weeks trip to Kankakee, Ill. l had my hair cut there, and 1t was about the worst had ever seen. On return ing to the city went to the barber shop the next day and, finding Dick" very busy. took the chair of barber named Jones.
 Great Caesar Johnston" he said, what a bum hair cut! Where on earth did you get it?"
 Why" inquired, whats the mat ter with it?"
 Well. Johnston" he went on, that is absolutely the worst I ever saw. Who did it?"
 Why" said I, Dick. of course, and he told me 1t was the best job he had done for six weeks, and you know Dicks reputation as a barber. Just call Dick here and see what he has to say for himself"
 No. mol" cried Jones. You know uON DlCh iss hc s n SNA dppei. LcN ls go; jet it go."
 But" insisted, ''I'T not stand for such e bad hair cut am going after Dick. good and hard"
 oh" said Jones. ''it isn't so awful bad. To tell you the truth, was jus. joking. The hair cut is all right"
 When ready to leave. I said:
 'T am not quite satisfied with this haircut. and"
 But" he interrupted. don't say a word to Dick; he'll half kill me If you do"
 Well" I insisted. 'I shall speak to him about 1t, anyhow" As came to Dicks chair stopped and csIled his attention to my bad haircut, and meanwhile I hurriedly told him the story of how Jones had condemned 1t, and how he had taken it all back when told him that it was Dick uho had done the job.
 Quickly taking in the situation, Dick started toward Jones' chair. and Jones. immediately grabbing his hat and razor. escaped through the rear end of the shop. Nor would he return until some Of the other bsrbers explained the joke to him