Widnes Examiner. — 1916-05-27 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE EXAMINER, SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1916.  JOTTINGS BY AN OLD JOURNALIST.  Barber-ous.  The barber loomed large in last week's issue, .and I. have somewhat to write respecting him. The very employment of, the common term ha.,,1 caused searching of heart. However it may be with the younger generation in this indispensable trade, members of the old school were apt to resent it. I knew one at Elland, in the West Riding (he had gone there from Wharfedale a‘ a young man) in the far4Af days, when that 'district was included in pay itinetary, who, overhearing the word " barber " in the waiting customers' conversation, would draw .himself up in offended" dignity and interposO the protest., " ' Barber,' sir! 'Hairdresser,' please. My apprenticeship indentures distinctly stated that I was bound to "learn the business of a- hairdresser; the word ' barber ' never occurred." But perhaps my Yorkshire acquaintance was an exception—like that of the learAdVossius, whose barber, according to Steele, "used to comb his head in iambics." Yes, I think he must have been exceptional, for he ended by cutting his throat with one of his own razors, whicii is. as rare as fora sailor to commit suicide by drowning or a chemist by poison. Modern Innovation.  can well imagine how scandalised I hat poor old fellow would have been could he had foreseen the advent of the lady barber-4 mean hairdresser,- with apologies to his shade. I note that at last week's local Tribunal an insurance agent obtained temporary exemption on the Plea that he iyas instructing his wife in the business. I have seen such lady agents already at work. • I have just' come• across a remarkable case more to my present point. The other • clay I accepted a friend's invitation to a motor run.- It was a 'hurried call, and taking train to what used to be known.aS "th' w.eyver's seeahpport," I joined hitn at-Littleborough, whence we had a joy ride over Blackstoncdge. We -deseended by way of 'Cragg Vale, and at 'llytholmroyd I called a halt for ,a 'shave. ' The operation was deftly performed by the tradesman's wife, and I learned that he, too, had gained a short respite from military service in order to teach her to use 'razor and scissors, and so keep the business going I until his return. She had proved a smart pupil, and when I called 'she was in sole 'charge. Of course, lady, hairdressers have been known for years in some of the great cities. but this is a noteworthy bit of war service. More power to the brave woman's elbow. Plainly, she deserv.ts the encouragement and active support of the • A Bad Spoc. _ _  I knew one in that same trade who made an unprofitable change just before the war. He ana three or four friends arranged to embark on a hut. building sveculaiion in Canada, and he was so confident of immediate .and permanent success that in winding up his affairs he often made the mistake, in the hearing of customers, cf counting his chickens before thy were hatched. In a word, the scheme turned out a disastrous failure, and the once so boastful and now chastened barber is already back in this country and engaged in his former occupation, though not in the same lOcality.  Business Improving. " Vigilant's" bit of "Gossip" to the effect that the hot weather was " dtEmping men into hairdressers' shops" and that barbers confess that such weather conditions practically double their business (which must-be particularly welcome now so many men are away), reminded me of a "Punch" tit-bit which appeared in a similar.li'eek to. last :quite a genetation.-ago. "How'd you like it, sir?" asked the hairdreiiser, as he flourished the scissors above the head of the exhausted customer. "Phew !" was the response of the desperate one, "cut it to the bone."