# A Hairdresser's Experience in High Life/Chapter 6

CHAPTER IV.
LEAVING SARATOGA—BURNING OF THE BAGGAGE CAR—VISIT TO NEW YORK.
The season at Saratoga having closed, I had to return to Albany to get paid for my clothes. I had forgotten to mention that the season I have just been describing, my baggage had been all burned up on my way to Saratoga. I will now give you a description of the circumstance. I had intended stopping at the Yellow Springs that season, as many of our aristocracy were there; but concluded not to do so. I took the cars at Xenia for Saratoga, and after riding a day and night, when I was just two and a half hours' ride from Saratoga, we had stopped about ten or fifteen minutes at a little place called St. Johnsville.
The most of the passengers were asleep, but as I had scarcely ever slept on the cars, I chanced to be looking out of the window, and at the moment envying the gentlemen in a refreshment saloon drinking hot coffee, when I saw a man walk hurriedly out of the saloon. He glanced with a look of alarm toward the foremost cars, and immediately hallooed "fire."
I called to a number of ladies and gentlemen sitting around, and told them the cars were on fire. They laughed at me, and said I must be dreaming. I then threw up the window, and looking out, could just see ​the least perceptible smoke coming out of the baggage car. I then threw a shawl around me and went out. Even then, although some moments had elapsed since the alarm, there was but little fire; but no person seemed to be trying to put it out, or endeavoring to check it.
I saw no one doing anything except the expressman, who was striving to save his own property, and he having succeeded, it amused me very much, though in trouble myself, to see him quietly take his seat on his chest; and thinking he had done sufficient, now his little property was saved, he would allow no one to come near him.
I then went into a room in the house and having sat down, tried to compose myself. I felt very badly, till I heard the conversation of those around me; many were in great distress, and were crying—they had lost their all. I then felt blessed that I had still a little something at home, and was going where I could make something too.
Others had important papers and other valuables with them, who felt very badly about their loss. I myself was not among the fortunate ones, as I had some things no money could pay me for.
On the next seat to me was a poor old woman, who had lost everything she had in the world. She had been to see some friends, and got from them yarn to knit stockings and socks for sale, to help her get over the winter. Her little bundle was burned up; and she was so much affected by the accident, that though my own losses did not force a tear from my eyes, I wept freely for her.
We soon got another locomotive and went on. ​Instead of turning to the left for Saratoga, we turned to the right for Albany, the grand office being in that place.
On arriving in Albany, I went to a well known family there—that of Mr. R.K. I was received and treated by this family in such a way as, should I live thousands of years, I never could enough express my gratitude to them for their kindness.
At nine o'clock I went down to the office, where the first of the officers I met was Mr. F. I was requested to come back on Monday morning. I went, and was again requested to call on Tuesday. While sitting there, I saw the old woman whom I before spoke of as having been so much afflicted, talking to Mr. F., and crying very sorely. After they had settled with her, she came along and told me she hoped they would do better by me than they had done by her, as she lost her all and got little or nothing for it.
On telling me the amount she received, I was really ashamed for the company who could treat a poor old woman in such a manner, but at once determined they should not treat me so meanly. Their will was good, but thanks to my own perseverance, they could not. I went on Tuesday as requested, when they told me Mr. W was not yet returned from Lake George. I went again on Wednesday, when I found him at home.
He was a tall, thin gentleman, with jet black hair and dark eyes—had the appearance of one who would think a good deal and say but little. I at once read the man's heart, and read it well, as I was not disappointed. He sent me again to Mr. F.'s apartment, who wished me to call again, but I told him I had my customers in Saratoga, and must go on there. He sent me back to Mr. W again, who decided to give ​me two hundred dollars, which Mr. F thought was a great deal too much for me to handle, and thought one hundred enough.
I took the hundred and went to Saratoga; there I found many and warm friends; many of them wished to raise a subscription for me, but I would not allow them, as I said the railroad was able to pay me, and I meant that they should do so. I received more kindness and attention from the proprietor and housekeeper than I ever did before. It seemed as though every one wanted to do something for me.
On the 12th of September I went back to Albany to get the balance of my money. It was the 18th before I got away from there. They seemed all perfectly astonished at the list of my clothes. Mr. F was aghast at the idea of my paying thirty-five dollars for a moire antique dress, and said his wife never had a dress cost so much. I laughed, and told him I had a dress which cost me fifty dollars, and a mantle to suit which cost me fifty more; and if his highness pleased, I had a suit that cost me one hundred and fifty dollars.
It would have amused any person who knew the extent of my wardrobe, to be behind the door and see their wide-open eyes and hear their catched-up breath when they came to any articles more expensive than others; and when Mr. F came, on the list, to a velvet basquine trimmed with deep fringe, he seemed to think it was an impossibility; but there were so many persons both in Albany and New York that knew the extent of my wardrobe, that he could no longer doubt.
I was never more amused in my life, than at seeing the different railroad gentlemen pick up my list, look ​at and shrink from it, as if it were an impossibility for a working woman to have such a wardrobe. One of them seemed quite horrified at the very idea of my having ten silk dresses with me; but it afforded me a good deal of pleasure to let him know I had as many more at home; but I told him that did not make any difference, as I had to get paid for what they, in their carelessness, burnt up; and it was nothing but carelessness, as I myself was an eye-witness.
I was put off from time to time, as the president was not there. After being nearly wearied out, I one day went and told them I must have my money, or I would go to the hotel, take a private room with plenty of attendants, and a doctor to attend on me too, as I was pretty near sick; when immediately the one next the president gave orders to pay me and let me go; but some of the others determined I should stay there till the president returned, thinking to weary me out and make me go without my money. But they soon found they were greatly mistaken; instead of my being the wearied one, they had to suffer.
Every morning I went down to the office after breakfast, staid there till dinnertime; went to dinner, returned, and staid there till night; and I assure you my tongue never stopped, nor was I tired commenting on all that came under my notice—ladies, gentlemen, servants and business men of all kinds.
I finally determined to see the president myself, and as they said he would not return from New York for a few days, I made up my mind to go on to New York and see him, and there I went. On my arrival, I found the president had just left for Albany. However, though a little discouraged, I determined as I ​was in New York, I would stop awhile, as I had numerous friends there, and pass the time off as pleasantly as possible—which I did going to the operas, pic-nics, and clam-bakes. I suppose some of my readers would like to know what a clam-bake is. I will tell you.
I was invited to a very beautiful place called Weehawken; it was the prettiest place I ever saw in the woods for any amusement of the kind. When we arrived at Weehawken, we found a handsome house fitted up for the season; in front was a platform about one hundred feet square, with a railing round it and seats; outside this railing was a place erected for a full band of music. All commenced dancing the instant they arrived; some even before they got their things off. While I, with some others who did not dance, went to see the preparations for cooking the clams.
I was very much pleased, as it was something I had never seen before. First, they put on the ground thirty or forty logs of wood, with plenty of kindling; when these logs were burning, they put on a cart load of large stones; when these became red hot, they covered them with sea-weed. They then took fish of all kinds that could be baked sweet, and Irish potatoes, corn in the ear; rolled them all up in separate pieces of paper, laid them on the sea weed; then they made another row of sea-weed, on which about three barrels of clams were put; then another covering of sea-weed; and so on, till there was a pile four or five feet high, and all was in a short time beautifully baked. In the meantime there was quite a circle of boards erected round this bed of clams, where the people stood around and received from those inside ​this circle bowls, butter, pepper and salt, and anything else they might require; then last came along a number of forks to eat with. Then commenced such an opening of clams, handing round of sweet potatoes and corn—just which you pleased to have—and all seemed to eat as if they were the most elegant things imaginable.
I sat aside and looked on, an amused spectator, as, though pressed by many to eat, and told how good they were, I could not eat them. There was an immense kettle of chowder, which they all seemed to enjoy very much. They all ate with such a relish as if they never had eaten anything so good before. There was a good deal of fun and merriment going on.
After they had finished their clams, they took another dance; then all retired to dress for a ball which was to be inside the house. They kept it up till eleven o'clock at night. The refreshment table was beautifully and elegantly set.
Notwithstanding the attention and kindness I received, I got perfectly wearied, when I, with some others, started for the boat. When we got to the landing, which was a quarter of a mile from the house, there was a surprise. Instead of our splendid and commodious steamer, towering up to the sky, there was a contemptible little tow-boat, that we had to look down to find; she had no cabin, nor any shelter from the night. It was certainly a stronger and safer boat, but the elegant cabins that were appropriated to excursions were wanting. I was furious, and started back to the house with rage; I outwalked them all. On reaching the house, the committee went ​down to inquire the reason, and found it was a mistake of the captain; he had made a previous engagement.
Notwithstanding our protestations to the contrary, I found we must either go by this little boat, or stay all night. I chose the lesser evil, and embarked, but from the time I started from the landing at Weehawken, till I got to the landing at Spring-street, New York, I never drew a long breath. On my landing I bid adieu to all clam-bakes.
The next day I went on Fifth-avenue, and all around, to see my friends, who were very kind to me at Saratoga, New York, or any other place they met me. It was at such times as these I appreciated my profession. I went through several elegantly furnished mansions; they were so perfectly exquisite that I thought by some magic power, I was taken across the sea to some of the lordly mansions it had been my good luck to see while in Europe. When I was a child, I remember all the upper part of Fifth-avenue nothing but woods.
I will now give you a little description of some of the mansions of my ladies in New York; I am proud to say my ladies, as I have worked for them so many seasons. I will commence with the mansion of one well known—G.L., Fifth-avenue. The hall, to begin with, was as large as some of our parlors; on the left hand side were two reception rooms, one blue and the other green; in one of these rooms was a large book-case, all rosewood and looking-glass; it attracted my attention, as a most magnificent piece of furniture. On the right hand side were two very large parlors; on entering, the first thing that caught my eye was a full-length likeness of the host himself. This parlor ​was beautifully frescoed in gay colors. At the back of these parlors was another large room, used as a dining-room on particular occasions; it ran crosswise, and was most elegantly furnished. There was the greatest profusion of silver scattered here and there through this room, I ever saw in one house in this country. On going up stairs, I went from room to room until I had counted seven on the second floor, all exquisitely furnished in rosewood; there was a great number of beautiful paintings. The third floor was furnished in mahogany, and was elegant. I then went down to the basement. In the front is an office, and a large family dining-room. Taken all in all, it is a large and magnificent house. I have always been treated very kindly by the whole family, from the oldest to the youngest; so, like all travelers, I took some refreshment and left.
I then went down the Fifth-avenue, to the house of Mrs. B. Her house is five stories high. In the basement is a kitchen, a billiard room, and an elegant parlor for her servants. In this parlor are mirrors larger than I have seen in many parlors even in the city. On entering the principal hall, there was a most beautiful figure in bronze of a horse as large as life. Certainly the attitude and appearance were very graceful. The first parlor was green and gold; the drapery around the numerous windows was superb. The second parlor furniture was the most delicate shade of blue and gold; the wall was the lightest tinge of rose and gold; the mantles of the most pure and elegant marble, supported on each side by figures having the appearance of the old Knickerbockers. The tables looked like masses of gold and marble. ​On one of them was a group in Parian marble representing Moses and the ark of bullrushes, and Pharaoh's daughter. It was a gem. The third parlor was drab and gold furniture, and wall to match. The fourth, which was used as a dining-room, was lined, instead of papered, with a dark drab morocco; the furniture covered with the same.
On my going up the stairs, the first room I came to was blue and gold. It was a boudoire, or ladies' sitting room. In each corner was a cabinet, filled with shells and all kinds of ornaments and curiosities. The doors of these cabinets were looking-glass. This room opened into a large and elegant bed-room, with a high and massive rosewood bedstead; all the furniture rosewood, to match. Next came a dressing-room: in either corner was an immovable wash-stand toilet, beautiful china vase; also, an immovable wardrobe, with three doors, the middle one of looking-glass. The next was a parlor, with crimson furniture. Around the walls were the portraits of the families of both Mr. and Mrs. B. This little parlor was exquisitely furnished. It opened into an elegant bed-room occupied by Mrs. B. The ceilings were very high, and the bedstead the highest I ever saw in my life, with rich crimson damask curtains, looped tassels to match. This opened into an elegant dressing-room, the furniture of which was all black walnut; the room, instead of being papered, was wainscotted with black walnut. I then went to the third story, and found all equally elegant, all furnished with the finest rosewood. The fourth and fifth stories were mahogany, instead of rosewood furniture, but in other respects the same. When I got to the fifth story, you may imagine I ​would have wished for some other way of getting down besides walking.
I am always delighted to see elegant houses, but more particularly when there are elegant ladies to grace them, which is the case here; for in every house I have been in, in New York, there were elegant ladies to adorn them.
I remember, while in England, once going with the ladies' maid of a countess to see the splendid mansion of her mistress. Before leaving I wished to see the lady who graced such a mansion. To my surprise, on reaching the door, I found an elegant carriage, coachman and footman, with certainly the queerest looking little lady, all shriveled up, that I ever saw. It made me wish I was a fairy, that I could transfer some of the fine-looking ladies from my country to grace such a mansion.
The next day I commenced by going on Eighth-street, but, in consequence of sickness, I did not go through the house. On entering I found the house and grounds more like France than any place I had seen in New York. From there I went to Mrs. S.'s elegant and princely mansion. It was a large double house, with two parlors on one side and a large reception room on the other. Everything in the house is chaste and elegant; everything in these parlors is magnificent. The chandeliers are the most beautiful of any I ever saw. One in the principal parlor has sixteen burners. There are beautiful branches over the mantles, and at each side, with brilliant lights. These, with the pure white of the velvet-papered walls, give, at night some idea of an earthly paradise. The dining-room is also a most beautiful room. On ​the second floor are four large chambers, elegantly furnished, and a most extensive library. Next came what I may call a museum, for it certainly was one filled with birds, shells, flowers, and animals of every description. The green-house was the most beautiful I have seen in New York. It was filled with very choice flowers, of every shade and color.
My time was now getting short, and although I had numerous invitations from ladies to visit them when I went to New York, I did not have time to get further into many of their houses than the music-room or reception-room; in fact, after leaving the Fifth-avenue I did not see anything to boast of over our own places at home, on the inside of the houses, but on the outside they certainly were exquisite.
I frequently visited the St. Nicholas, where I had many lady friends from the South, and also from the Queen City. Among the rest of my friends were Madame L. and her accomplished daughter. As usual, they were great belles. There were two Southern belles there who tried to equal Madame L. and her daughter. The ladies themselves were very well, but the conduct of their father in past years made them too conspicuous.
Not a hundred years ago, in passing through the streets of one of our Southern cities, he met a gentleman on the cross-walk who had been drinking very freely. He ran up against this gentleman, who immediately knocked him down. The next day, when the gentleman got sober, he started to the house of the father of these young ladies to apologize, though not in fault. When the latter met him coming up the steps, he blew his brains out. When taken up for ​this murder, to save himself, he said this gentleman visited his wife at unseasonable hours. This caused a separation between them for a long time.
There were some six or seven hundred people at the St. Nicholas at that time. From there I went to the New York Hotel, where I found all pretty much one clique—all fashionable and elegant people; the house and its guests very much like the Hotel Maurice in Paris. I then went to visit a lady I had been promising to go to see for five or six years, who had been a great belle. When I arrived at the house I found her husband sick, and did not stay long. On my going to visit another lady, she told me what was the matter with him, and she seemed perfectly delighted, as they were very proud people, and thought few persons good enough to associate with.
A bachelor friend of this gentleman had an elegant housekeeper. He told this friend she was inconstant. The lady hearing of it, took a carriage, and knowing his usual walks, met him coming from the Battery right at the Bowling Green, and stepping from the carriage, with a cowhide she cut over the face and eyes so badly he had to run into a little shop to escape from her. She then got into her carriage and drove home. He had to remain in the shop till he sent for a carriage, and was taken home, where he remained for three or four weeks. This made quite a stir among the gentlemen.
I was now tired of my visit to New York, and made up my mind to go back to Albany and see after my money. I had no idea of being put off as I had seen others. I left New York in the evening, and the next morning I found myself in Albany. I went first to ​the railroad office, and found several of the directors there, who sent me from one to another until I had gone to, it seemed to me, half a dozen. I got perfectly furious at this kind of treatment, and as they all seemed afraid of the president, I, not being afraid of anybody, determined to see the president myself. I went fully determined to take him down a little if he had been what he was represented to be by the actions of his underlings; but, to my surprise, I found him a perfect gentleman, in every sense of the word, and he seemed to wish to do what was right. Though he did not give me what I thought was sufficient to repay my losses, yet he gave me more than the others were willing to allow.
I took the three hundred dollars, which was the amount I received, and left. I do hope those other gentlemen will not continue to think thirty-five or forty dollars too much to give for a dress for their wives. I wish them all to remember it is not the dog that is chained up the tightest, and makes the most noise, does the most biting.