Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/14

16 of superiority on my part toward the girl, but I thought if she came to that table her companions on the lower deck ought to have the same privilege—and it grieved me to contemplate the cause of the distinction shown between those who had been equally bought, and were alike to be sold. My objection caused some disturbance, and considerable discussion arose in regard to it among the passengers. Mr. W was highly indignant that I should have questioned his right to treat his goods and chattles as he pleased. Those of the passengers who were opposed to the system came to my aid, and Mr. W., not possessing arguments sufficient to silence me, thought his best plan was to brow-beat me, and called me a meddler, an abolitionist, and many other such names. Not noticing these epithets, I pursued my way untroubled by anything he could say.

On my arrival in Cincinnati, I obtained a situation as lady's maid, in the family of Mr. W., whose wife was the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Major O., of Kentucky; they were then stopping, temporarily, at the "Broadway Hotel." About a week after I had been with them, I had the pleasure of witnessing the distress of a Louisville lady, consequent upon the sudden disappearance of a beautiful slave girl, whom she had brought with her for a few day's stay in the Queen City. This girl was fairer and more lovely than her mistress, and despising the low servitude which oppressed her, it was scarcely to be wondered at, that, finding herself on free soil, she should seize the first opportunity to escape from it. She was sent out one morning to make purchases, and never returned, but found a happy home, I trust, on English soil. The