Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-04-03
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 3 1926
Close
Shave
By SIDNEY WILDHoLT
90 by western Newspaper Union,l

John PETWINE was one or those
J admirable chaps who stagger
through life under the weight of
misnomer. He seldom staggered I'M
der much more than that, 1t is true.
Youthful, upright, and reasonably hon
est, no man could say Of John Pet
wine that he rebelled violently against
Volstead's notorious mandate.
One glass was equivalent to many
where John Petwlne was concerned;
two glasses made him silly, and that
word means rather the opposite of the
empty 1t used to mean; while more than
two glasses Johns stomach stubbornly
but steadfastly refused to consider. Be
fore the memorable Eighteenth amend
ment had terrorized half his associ-
ates, John Petwine knew from the ex-
perience gained In a few such convivi-
al gatherings as New Years Eve cele-
brations that more than two glasses
of any beverage with net content ex-
ceedlng the niggardly legal per cent
meant nausea.
John was loath to accept more than
one drink on most occasions; he had a
profound fear Of that state Of mind
and body in which he knew neither
what he was doing nor very well how
to do it.
AS he sat second to the row of wait
ing victims In the barber shop this
bright morning, John Petwlne was do
ing his mental loveliest best to put
two and two, or even three and one,
together to make four.
Something had happened the night
before. His memory retained certain
all too vivid impressions; brief puffs
from a slim cigarette under white
arc light; streaming yellow rays from
doorway flung wide in the hasy dark
ness Of the night; a girls quick,
sharp cry for succor; swift dash OF
courageous, chivalric footsteps scarlet
Globules of red blood thckling from
two dark apertures above two rows Of
cleaning ivory teeth. John Petwine
recalled this bizarre series Of mental
images only too poignantly. What did
they signify What part had he
played2 Had he been the chivalrous
sucker? Or what-why-when-f
"Nextp
Shave" said John Petwine sue.
cinctly.
fright" agreed Tony Gragtpo with
smile. His standard routine joke
was even then on the way. but not
too close shave, Ell, JackY' he added
with proper emphasis.
At this critical junctyre the door
opened and In stepped Fate.
Fate was not an Italian, but no
other wise was he remarkably differ
ent from Tony Gragino. They greeted
each other cordially.
Heard the latest Developments p
asked Fate.
NO" said TONY "what'a happened
nowf"
MACS ready for the hospital ant
an unknown guy has grabbed Marie r
He literally hurled the words out witt
considerable vehemence.
The lather-laden razor poised some
six inches above John Petwine's left
temple.
You don't say sol" calculated Tony,
cure, RUE Went OH 4ulb new
guy has butted in and swatted Mac
and then disappeared right off the bat
and Marie with him. They can't be
found anywhere"
"But Marlew Tony was protesting
mournfully, 81 was In love with
Marie"
Had II not been for the razor edge
pressed so closely against his left
cheek, John would have squlrmed in
his chair. He tensed his muscles to
hold himself rigid II would never do
to show his CONSERVATION.
"Righto," agreed Fate. But therein
be something doing by tonight, sure
They're on his trail"
"No suspicion as to who the guy Isl"
demanded Tony.
"None at all, as far as l can see
But they've got hunch as to where
he u.s." Fate explained.
Tony was beginning to shave undeg
Johns chin The icy sweat actually
trickIed Johns morning-after Ice
pack was fguratlyely materlalizing.
81 hope they get him." said Tony
fervently. "'T would serve the but
tlnsky right"
Johns heart was In his throat, but
he didn't dare swallow just then for
fear Of Juggling the Adams apple thai
was the center Of the razor's attention
at that precise moment. Why-oh-why
had he ever taken to drlpk?
That's ALP asked Tony, calming
perceptlbly.
The jugular vein Of his patient was
no longer in any immediate danger
The barber was about to get the hot
towel
Isn't that enoughT retorted Fate
Here's the paper. You can read 1t
for yourself" He handed a copy of
the previous nights Record to Tony.
Thanks" said Tony, taking 1t. I'D
buy 1t myself, Jim, but as long as you
get II every night and bring 1t around
so can read"
Forget the old gag, Tony, and
watch what'll turn up tonight" With
which words Fate departed
With the steaming cloth smothering
his perspiring features-the sweat was
no longer cold-John Petwlne's mem
Org mists cleared entirely away.
'That was close shave" he muir
INJURED to himself, not without some
awe, remembering that he had con
sumed the last Of his Christmas brew
IA bit over one glass-before read