The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-03-03
A CLOSE SHAVE


later he was carried TO the peniten-
tiary to begin his long sentence.
Ten years passed.
Judge Randolph, journeying through
the state. one day stopped OF at the
state prison to visit his friend, the
warden.
II should have gotten shave" he
remarked, carelessly brushing his
hand across his face.
Nothing easier" said the warden.
"Just step into our barber shop here.
We have some OF the best BARRIERS IN
the state, and I'll warrant they take
care OF you in Gne style.
Three minutes later found him tuck
ed into a chair with one OF the trus-
ties-prisoners whose good behavior
has earned them minor privileges
about the iail--preparing him for
shave. Complacently the Judge clos
ed his eyes and sunk into a deep rev
cry. and the lathering process went
slowly along. This completed, the
prisoner carefully strapped bis razor.
At intervals he held up the razor 10
the light and then delicately ran the
edge across his thumb nail. Twice
he gazed intently at the face or the
| Judge, whose eyes were Closed anu
his thoughts far away.
The razor sharpene6 TO his salts
| faction the prisoner bent carefully
over the form of the Judge. With the
utmost delicacy the blade slid over the
| face of the jurist. And simultaneously
curious thing-his lips began 10
move IN unison with the motions OF
the razor.
Twenty years-twenty years he
murmured as he piled the razor back
and forth across the judges cheek.
For time the judge heard 1t not,
but slowly he became conscious OF the
fact that the prisoner was muttering
to himself. He listeneG-at first care
lessly and then intently.
Twenty years--twenty years
At each stroke OF the razor the
same muttered sentence. A portion of
beard was delcately wnisked from the
left cheek OF the Judge.
Twenty years. murmured the pris'
oper.
The razor gently slid across his
chin.
Wthty ySdiS'
II passed painlessly over the right
cheek.
Twenty years."
The incessant monotonous drawl at
length Jared upon the judges nerves.
He ended his revery abruptly. At the
same instant the prisoners hand pass
ed with professional dexterity across
| the tudge-s throat, then the razor was
laid against II, the cold steel resting
just above the jugular vein.
Twenty years"
Judge Randolph opened his eyes
impatiently-and gazed into the face
OF John Warren.
Ten years ago you sentenced me
to twenty years"
The words were as cold as the razor
that rested against the judges throat.
Steadily they looked into each others
souls.
The Judge was not coward. In the
circumstances he summoned all the
iron nerve OF which he was possessed
TO serve him in the emergency. His
arms were folded beneath the apron
the razor was at his throat In the
hand OF a man who had already done
murder.
"You sentenced me to twenty years.
repeated Warren.
Randolph eyed him steadily.
The court sentenced you" he said.
You were the court"
II had no choice
IL asked for mercy"
More than extended I could not
give. might have sentenced you for
| life"
Warren's hand trembled slightly
but the razor edge remained steadily
against the judges throat.
Twenty years" groaned Warren.
THAT Is a lifetime"
He clenched his free hand. His low
er jaw grew rigid. HIS eyes were cold