Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/144

146 dashed Mr. H's brains out before the eyes of his family. It appears that, although a slave, he was descended from one of the highest southern families, and inherited all the proud feeling and independent spirit the Southerners generally pride themselves on.

After a short time had elapsed, I engaged with a gentleman and his sister, who came to New Orleans and engaged me to wait on a very gay lady, the gentleman's wife, who resided in the vicinity of Natchez, on a very beautiful plantation. The lady was not on good terms with her husband's family; therefore, when I went, she was so provoked to think they would not allow her to retain her old maid, that she determined not to take me, because they had engaged me; and whenever she decided on doing anything in opposition to his family, she was not to be changed. She was, nevertheless, kind to me, for she had endeavored to secure my services some seasons before; but I was not able to engage with her at that time, owing to a prior engagement with a young lady who had been formerly engaged to her husband, and I believe he loved her till her marriage.

The gentleman's family and numerous ladies in Natchez felt very indignant at her disappointing me; but I saw through it immediately; it was because I had been waiting on the other young lady, who was perfectly beautiful, gentle, mild and amiable, and more than all, immensely wealthy. Miss F was of medium hightheight [sic], splendid form, had large, full black eyes, and such a profusion of curls as are seldom seen while the lady Mr. D. married had light hair, light blue eyes, and an alabaster complexion She also was called a great beauty in the East.