Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/73

Rh gentle, amiable and lovely, and remarkable for her talents and superiority of education.

An occurrence came under my observation this season that shows how trifling a circumstance can almost destroy the character of an innocent girl. A young lady from one of the Eastern cities came to Saratoga under the protection of her friend, a married lady, living in the same city. After the latter had staid her time, and was going home, Miss—wrote to her guardian to allow her to stay longer. The consent was given, should she find a suitable person to stay with. Two families having just arrived with whom she was well acquainted, she remained under their protection as long as they staid. When they left for Newport she went with them. On their leaving Newport, she wished to stay there a little longer, and was put in the charge of a married lady, who paid every attention to her.

She there became acquainted with a gentleman who paid her a great deal of attention. They in a short time were engaged to be married. This so enraged a number of ladies that he had for years past been paying attention to that they went to work to slander her. They were not satisfied with watching and peering around themselves, but set the servants of the hotel to watch her too. She having received a letter from her guardian, made an appointment with this gentleman to walk on the beach early in the morning, when she would show him her letter concerning their marriage.

It was a very common occurrence for ladies to walk on the beach as early as six o'clock. She being young, did not see any impropriety in his coming for