Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/209

Rh Charles when Gen. Taylor was there, after his return from Mexico. They would all rush to him, and if they could not all speak to him, they would touch his coat, and go away perfectly satisfied; some would even talk to his horse, as if he could understand every word they would say. So it was with this crowd, if they could but look at Kossuth that was quite sufficient.

They held a great mass meeting—all orders and societies made up money and presented it to Kossuth. There was one lady, a school teacher, who failed to make her speech while presenting the purse; but Kossuth did not care for the speech, all he cared for was the money. After Kossuth had spoken, and the presentation of the money, interrupted by many cheers, Mrs. Kossuth was called on for a speech; she came forth, having her handkerchief over her head, and smiled; every time money was presented to her she smiled more. I, in the midst of a crowd, said: "Let me look at the humbug," a gentleman at my side said, I am pretty much of your opinion.

Kossuth, getting no other way to leave, after the money was presented and the speechifying finished, escaped through the kitchen and pantry up stairs—laughing in his sleeve at the game he was playing. After he was in his room, and neither ladies nor gentlemen had followed him, I went to my work; and while combing a lady, she said, "I owe you five dollars to-day." I told her I would be happy to receive them. She said if she was in my place she would present them to Kossuth. I told her that Kossuth had already taken too much from our State, that I was in a hurry, and would explain my meaning the next day.

This lady thought me very ignorant. Next day she