Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/248

250 went from one of the Eastern States to St. Louis, some thirty-five or forty years ago. After accumulating a good deal of wealth, he bought a woman to keep house for him, and raised two daughters. He put them in a convent to receive their education, and when they were about seventeen years old, they came out, very elegant and accomplished girls. They lived with their father, his lawful acknowledged daughters. After a year had expired, he took suddenly ill and died, without having made any preparation for his daughters, or secured their freedom, as he supposed they would enjoy all the rights of children.

"He had two brothers, who, hearing of his death, came to St. Louis to settle up his affairs; they, wishing to take home all they could with them, put these two girls and their mother up and sold them to the highest bidders. People from all parts came to purchase these girls; but they declined serving anybody, they chose death rather than slavery; but in spite of all they could say or do, they were put up.

"The first one sold was the mother; she was bought by a man in Texas, and was hurried away forthwith. On leaving her daughters she impressed it on their minds, as her parting charge, to always live respectably, to suffer death rather than degradation, and never to forget there is a God who has promised to hear his people's prayers, and deliver those who call upon him.

"The youngest girl was sold to a man who took her up Red river for his housekeeper. The other one was bought by a trader, taken to New Orleans, and sold to two or three different people; but, on account of her refinement and determination, she was always