Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/226

228 "Not so, madam, I said; I am not so independent. I comb some ladies for money and they employ me for my work, and I don't care a snap for them; but there are some ladies I would comb as well for pleasure as money, and some I love dearly." "I know you don't love me, you only comb me for my money." "I did not say that, madam, for to tell you the truth, I love your children dearly." I left the house, wondering if I had said anything wrong or not. That night there was a small party in my aristocratic circle; when I got home I found among my orders there were several for another circle. I was then in a hobble; I did not know what to do, and while meditating, the lady I combed in the morning sent tor me; then I was in double trouble, but determined to fill the first orders that were at home. There were some of my customers I did not go to; I knew they would-all excuse me but this lady, and I thought she would not require me, as I had combed her in the morning, and there were others I had not combed at all.

I went and combed the ladies,—a set I never combed before—they were not only pretty but graceful and intelligent. I combed that night ten beautiful girls, every time I drew the comb through their hair I would wish they were in our first circles.

While going home—it was a very dark night—I was walking very fast, thinking of these beautiful girls and wishing I had the power to place them in the higher circles, when about the middle of the square, my foot struck against something; on looking down I saw it was a man laying in the street, either dead or drunk. I pushed him and tried to rouse him, but he did not move, he was dead, but dead drunk. I