The Detroit times., 1912-10-03

melon turned into the wide empty
street. and strolled carelessly up to
the faded rod, white and blue pole
OF Wiiton's Tonsorial Parlor. In It's
Sunday calm the whole village seem
ed deserted. A few OF the bolder
spirits who had outgrown apron
strings, had remained away from
church and foregathered In the Sc
clusion OF the barber shop. The Wat
ermelon regarded them a moment
through the window as he felt caro-.
lessly in his pockets for the coins
that we're never. there. II was a quiet
crowd, well brushed hair, nicely pol
.shed boots and freshly shaved faces.
They were reading the sporting news
of Saturdays papers and ogling any
girl, fairly young and not notoriouslr
homely, who chanced 10 pass. The
barber was cleaning up after his last
jcustomer and talking apparently az
much to himself as TO any one. Con-
vinced of what he knew was so. that
he had no money, the Watermelon
Sushed open the door and entered.
Hello" said he.
Hello" said the barber.
All the papers were lowered and
all conversation stopped a. each man
turned and scanned the newcomer
with an interest the Watermelon
modestly felt was caused by some
event other than his own entry. He
surmised that James had probably
been there before him, and the next
words of the barber confirmed his
surmise.
That dapper little man scanned him
coldly. from the rakish tip Of his
shabby hat to the mondescript cover
ing on his feet which from force OF
habit he called shoes, and spoke with
darkly veiled sarcasm:
Il suppose you are a guest from
the hotel up TO the lake,"
The Watermelon grinned. He recog-
nized James favorite role. NO" said
he cheerfuliy, I'm John D., and me
lcar is waiting without"
"A guest up TO the hotel" repeat
ed the barber, upon whom James had
evidently made powerful impression.
lust back from a two weeks camp
ing and fishing trip"
No said the watermelon. II
don't like fishing. batting the hook ia
such darned hard work"
Just back" went on the barber,
still quoting, his soul vet ranking
with the deceit OF man. Look like
a tramp, probably"
Am one grinned the Watermelon.
And you thought you would get a
shave as you passed through the VII
lage. wouldn't dare let your wife see
you"
Say interrupted the Watermelon
wearily, what are you giving usy
Did any one bunko you out OF a
shave with that lingo?"
"Yes," snapped the barber. About
an hour ago feller blew in here and
said all that. He talked well and I
shaved him. He said he had sent his
camping truck on TO the hotel by his
team; be had stopped on to get a
shave. / shaved him and then he found
he hadn't any money In his old clothes
but he would send II right down
oh. yes--the moment he got to the
hotel. r. Amt come and Harry, there,
says there amt no one ep to tho hotel
like that. Harry's the porter"
Sure said Harry Importantly. II
passed the feller as I was coming
down and there amt any one like him
to the hotel"
The Watermelon laughed heartily.
"A hobo, eh? Bunkoed you for fair.
You fellers oughtn't to be 80 dog,
goned easy. Get wise, get wise"
I'VE are wise now" said the bar
ber ruefully. and added sternly. III
you want shave, you've got to show
your money first"
Sure, / want a shave" said tho
Watermelon, and carelessly ratified
few old keys he carried In his pocket.
They jingled with the clink OF loose
coins and were pleasing TO the ear II
not so much to the touch. II came
here for a shave, but pay for wha.
! want, see? Say, I'll bet that feller
busted your cash register" and he
nodded pleasantly toward the new
shiny receiver OF customs on the shelf
near the lookingglass.
The remark brought an agreeable
thrill of excited expectation to au
save the barber. He shook his head
with boupdless faith In bis new
possession. II bought that Just last
week and the drummer said II was
practically thief proof
do you want to bet?" asked the
Watermelon. "All there is In the
register, huh? Even money" and he
jingled the keys in his pocket.
Nav" said the barber, Il know
he couldn't have robbed II. It's I'M
possible, even II the thing could be
robbed, which It can't be. I was right
here all the time"
It's near the lookin' glass" said
the Watermelon. He went close TO
the counter to sec himself, didn't he?"
The Watermelon knew vanity AZ
James one weakness and realized
with what pleasure he himself would
stand before the mirror and gaze fond
ly at his own charms, uncontamlnated
by a shaggy, two-weeks growth Of
beard
Yes" admitted the barber slowly
He did look at himself for a long
time
"And some OF the time your back
was turned" added the Watermelon.
You were probably cleaning up or
looking for a whisk."
Yes" admitted the barber agair,
still more reluctantly. But nobody
can bust into one OF them cash
registers, not without a noise thai
would be heard across the room"
"Tll bet he did" said the Water.
melon. do you take me-"
But they can't be busted" reiterat-
ed the barber.