Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/242

244 friend; you will please say nothing of our conversation to her."

The New York lady came in and took her seat before an immense mirror, and I commenced to comb her. Her conversation was New York, and New York fashionables, her position there, and so forth; she mentioned boarding on Seventh-street, with a Mrs. B., when I said to her, "she does not keep a boarding house now, madam." She said, "No, but she did." I replied, "Yes, I know she did, and boarded many persons to whom she was far superior herself. I knew her when she kept boarding house on States-street, New York, opposite the Battery, and had three beautiful and interesting daughters. Her husband failed in business, and she strove to do something to educate her daughters, and to assist her husband. Many a morning have I seen her sit at the head of the table washing her cups and saucers in a cider tub, with the brass bands glittering like gold; her little daughters would stand on each side of her with towels, one wiping the dishes and the other wiping the silver, before going to school. On going to school you would see them with their little gingham aprons, made high to the throat, with a little ruffle, with warm hoods on and cloaks, trotting along through the snow. I was nursing nearly opposite where they lived. My attention was one morning attracted by the conversation of two little wealthy children who were taking leave of their mamma before stepping into an elegant carriage that stood waiting for them; they were dressed not only warmly but in the hight of fashion. These other children were passing by, going to school, when one of the little wealthy