SHAVING THE SHEKTFP. 105 



civilization in me stimulated l)y the presence, in the imme- 

 diate neighborhood, of the schoolma'ams, — I faithfullj^ 

 applied the razor to my own not excessively rounded face. 

 The Sheriff, sitting on the edge of the bed, thoughtfully 

 engaged in pulling on his stockings, watched the operation 

 with interest. Then I saw, by the reflection in the diminu- 

 tive mirror, that he rubbed his chin and hollow cheeks 

 and looked for a moment meditatively down upon the piece 

 of rag-c;iri)et at his feet. 



" I wish I was shaved, " he at length said, in a melan- 

 chol} tone, and added despairingly, " but 1 never shaved 

 m3\self in all my life, and I don't suppose there is anybody 

 here that could shave me. " 



Something in the sad face — perhaps it was its grizzliness 

 — moved me, and 1 cheering]}" remarked : 



"Oh, it isn't very difficult; I think you can do it; and 

 you are welcome to the use of ui}- razor, if you want to 

 try. " 



" No, I never can, — I should l)e sure to cut myself all 

 to pieces;" and the Sheriff sighed as he rubbed his rhin 

 again, and felt that it was wholly unpresentable, and 

 remembered that it was Sunday, and the schoolma'ams 

 would meet him at the breakfast table. 



There was a long pause. Then he looked piteous! y up 

 at me, as I was adjusting my necktie, and hesitatingly 

 said : 



"If it wouldn't be asking too much, would 30U — might 

 I ask you — do you suppose you could shave me ? " 



"Well, " said I, "I suppose I can try; but I'm awfully 



