Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/258

260 was. The bride's dress was very rich and elegant—she wore but a single ornament—a magnificent diamond cross, which had been presented to her a few moments before her marriage. There were two tables filled with elegant and costly presents. It has been my privilege to show the presents of many brides, but never have I exhibited any with the same pleasure and gratification that I did these, on account of the respect and love I felt for the parties.

Some few years after this marriage I was called on to comb the grandmother of the groom for her golden wedding. One of her bridesmaids was there also, and heartily did the two old ladies laugh at the idea of having their hair dressed, as in the olden times, when they were married, hair-dressers were unknown and unthought of.

Never again, do I expect to witness in this city, or perhaps anywhere, such a scene as I saw that night. There was an immense number assembled; old and young and middle aged and all, seemed full of happiness. Tables were set in two large rooms that opened into each other; they were elegantly and beautifully spread, filled with every delicacy, and all kinds of wine. In the parlor, which is so immense it is seldom or never used except on such occasions, I noticed a painting representing Hamlet and Othello; the figures were as large as life. This painting, which occupies one whole side of a room, was beautifully decorated with evergreens.

On entering the house, you come into a large square hall, the walls of which are painted with beautiful scenery. On one side of this hall is the private parlor, where are all the family portraits, and numbers of