Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/282

284 gentlemen, I know you did not come here to get a good supper—all you wished was to see me, to meet each other and enjoy yourselves." The guests did not know whether to get angry or to laugh it off. The proprietor of the hotel was quite provoked, as he had several daughters, and many of the guests were their intimate associates; so he concluded to make amends for their disappointment, and a few nights after, he gave them a fine party.

The ladies were still determined to make this young gentleman spend some of his money: so they commenced to tease him for a carriage ride. He agreed to do so, and went to one of our livery stables and ordered the oldest carriage they had; he wanted it strong, but did not care for looks. He secured the carriage, and drove up to the door. When the ladies came down they looked at the carriage, and hesitated, but, not wishing to offend him, they thought it best to get in. He had told the coachman to drive through the principal streets in the city, which he did; and their acquaintances who saw them riding in that queer-looking old vehicle, could not help laughing, which greatly mortified the young ladies, who concluded they could not make anything out of the gentleman, and gave it up in despair.

I will turn from these incidents to give you some of a more serious character. A slave, who had escaped from bondage, went to Canada, where, in a few years, he acquired some means. Being pretty comfortably situated, he was anxious to have his wife and children with him, and he engaged a white man to go for them. The latter found them, and, with his assistance, they succeeded in making their escape, and had