Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/249

Rh returned to the yard, and every time she was taken back she received a severe lashing.

"I was one day combing a lady at the St. Charles who was in ill health, and had been there some time; her father, while walking round, used to go into these traders' yards to see the slaves who were for sale. One day he saw this young girl, and was immediately struck by her appearance and accomplishments; as the traders had told him she was an accomplished lady's maid, he came home and told his daughter about her, and said his heart bled for her. The young lady expressed a wish to see her, when her father said he would have her sent up, as he did not know but he might wish to purchase her. I said I would be much obliged to them if they would not have her brought up till the next day, when I could be there combing, as I should like to see her.

"The next day at eleven o'clock the girl was there; both the young lady and her mother conversed with her, and found out all about her. The young lady being in ill health, became so excited that she took one of her bad spells, and they feared she would die. The young girl was hurried back to the yard again, when the trader asked her what was said, or would they buy her. She did not say anything, except that the lady did not want her. 'Then,' said he, 'that must be your own fault, as you did not make yourself as agreeable as you should have done;' and he gave her a severe whipping.

"If any purchaser comes into these yards to see the slaves, and they do not all rise up and make themselves as agreeable as possible, so as to make a sale, on the departure of the person they are severely