Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/171

Rh was the matter. I must say, while in Louisiana, I received not only good pay from ladies, but real kindness, and numerous invitations to visit the different plantations; and everywhere was kindly received, as cruelty to the slaves does not come under the observation of the ladies' visitors. Did all this make me satisfied with the South? No—it did not.

A kind lady, thinking I was very sick, came and wished to take me on her sugar plantation until I should recover my health. I told her I felt very much obliged to her, but would not go, as I was not so sick, but only wounded. She tried to ascertain of me what I meant, and I told her I would tell her before she left the city.

The next day, on going to see the Misses M, I resumed my duties. The eldest asked me how I was, and hoped it was not our conversation had made me ill. I told her it was not. The youngest came up and said, "Iangy, you look nervous." I said, "Madam, I am not nervous, nor have I ever been; do you think a poor working-woman could be nervous?" The eldest replied, "Yes; we are all God's creatures, and liable to be nervous and sick in various ways." She then said, "Iangy, you are tired and worked to death; do come home with me and rest yourself, and see how we use our slaves." I thanked her warmly, and said I would, but I had promised to stop at Natchez and learn some ladies' maids to dress hair. We were interrupted by their father, and on their telling him I was sick, he insisted on my going home with them, and rang the bell and ordered a sherry cobbler for me. I thought how kind he was to me, and how many of his poor slaves might die before they would have one