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332.
A Gentleman who had a Ruby Face, came to a Barber to be trimm'd, and ask'd the Fellow if he could or durst trim him? The Barber replied, That he learn'd his Trade, and kept Shop on purpose, and therefore both could, durst, and would trim him, if he pleased; but, quoth the Gallant, behold my Face, and the rugg'd difficulty of Shaving. If you trim me without blood-shed, I will give you ten Shillings; but if I find you draw Blood, with this Stilletto I will stab you immedi∣ately: The Brisk Barber being more tem∣pted with the rare reward of ten Shillings, than dismayed by his threatning, under∣takes him, and very artfully trimm'd him without blood-shed, and the Gentleman was well pleased; but withal asked how he durst venture upon him since he was in so much hazard of his Life, to whom the Barber replied, I had no cause to fear my Life▪ For if I had fetched Blood of your Face, before you could have been sensible of it, I would quickly have let you Blood in the Wind pipe, and secured me from your Stab. The Gentleman held up his Hands in thanks for his deliverance, and vowed ne∣ver to be trimm'd upon those Conditions again.