# A Hairdresser's Experience in High Life/Chapter 2

A HAIR-DRESSER'S EXPERIENCE
IN HIGH LIFE.
CHAPTER I.
MY DEBUT.
I have promised to give you a sketch of my experiences in those walks of life where fate has led me, up to the present time. You will find them somewhat rambling and desultory; but I beg you will overlook much that you will find a little harum scarum, considering the humble condition of your narrator.
I was brought up in New York, and went out, at an early age, to earn my living, in the service of people of ton. For some years, this occupation was agreeable to me; but at length I wearied of it, and being at liberty to choose my own course, I determined to travel, and to gratify my long-cherished desire to see the world—and especially the Western world: so I started as soon as possible toward the setting sun. At Buffalo, however, my journey was suddenly arrested by a sort of ceremony called matrimony, which I entered into very naturally, and became quieted down ​under it for a length of time, just as naturally. I have seen other persons do the same thing, and so, I suppose, I need not be ashamed to own having committed a weakness, which has, from the beginning of time, numbered the most respectable of the earth among its victims. But it matters not how or why, after a season of quiet, or unquiet, just as you please to call it, the desire for roving again took possession of me; and I determined to visit Canada, before going to Ohio. I therefore proceeded to Queenstown, and there took passage on a steamer for Toronto.
I was alone in the world—self-exiled from home and friends, to be sure—but it was not until we were out some distance upon the rolling waters of the lake, that I realized my isolated condition. I sat upon the deck, surrounded by people; but being a stranger among strangers, I had no claim upon the notice of any one; and I gazed out, with somewhat saddened feelings, upon the waste of waters before me. My nature is sympathetic, however; and as confusion reigned everywhere upon the boat, I soon grew nervous with excitement. Among the passengers was the Governor-General of Canada, with his family and suite, beside many distinguished persons of the Province. They observed my embarrassed manner, and spoke kindly to me; for which I was extremely grateful, and did not fail to express to them my thanks. But at dinner, these kind people really made me feel uncomfortable: my situation was a novel one; I had never before been associated with those who considered themselves my superiors—at table; but upon this occasion, I was invited to sit and take my meal with those who, had they been educated in my own country, would have ​indignantly repudiated any such arrangement: and it was not until after repeated solicitations from them, that I consented to take my seat. The whole party was merry and pleasant, and I soon felt at my ease, and not at all like an intruder. Well-bred people perfectly understand the art of making all comfortable around them, no matter what their color or condition may be. I have observed that parvenu ladies and gentlemen know nothing whatever of this gentle art: born and brought up in coarse atmospheres, refined conduct should never be expected of them. Society is made up of varieties; but it is easy for the humblest servant to distinguish the well-born and highly-bred lady, under the plainest garb, from the parvenu woman, whose sudden good luck and well-filled purse dresses her in lace, seats her in a carriage, and places her in circles where she is more endured than courted.
The table was loaded with every luxury; but the excitement occasioned by the novelty of my position deprived me of appetite. I was entirely unfamiliar with table etiquette, and felt conscious of looking awkward and embarrassed; but the kind ladies and gentlemen, understanding the nature of my discomfort, spared no pains to put me at my ease.
On sped the vessel, with its precious freight of human life, each heart beating quicker as the distance from land, and home, and friends was shortened by the revolutions of the mighty wheels. How much of the happiness of this world is comprised in such anticipated meetings! and how miserable they must be who know nothing of such joys as these!
Before we touched the shores of Toronto I felt perfectly at home among my new-found friends. They ​had descended from their high position to be civil and agreeable to the humble stranger, and from my heart I shall bless and pray for them to the end of my days. Their gentle treatment will never be forgotten, and I hope the eyes of these dear people may some day meet this poor tribute to their kindness and worth.
At Toronto I was welcomed by my own relatives and their numerous friends and acquaintances, and received many invitations to balls, parties and social gatherings. After mingling in these gay assemblies for some weeks, I felt strongly inclined to identify myself with the English soil. Still I resisted the impulse. Thinking it was time to leave pleasure for something more important, I again returned to Buffalo, where there was no attraction to detain me for even a moment. As my husband had already preceded me to the West, I therefore hastened to Pittsburg by stage route, which was not without its incidents. Those who have traveled in those primitive days, before the invention of railroads, will readily recognize the truth of many discomforts which I might here relate, but for the fear of fatiguing the indulgent reader, who is about to follow my footsteps over land, ocean and prairie. We broke down innumerable times in the dismal recesses of the forests, were sheltered and fed by the kind Samaritans who inhabited the wilderness, where snow and ice-clothed field and dell, and where Winter seemed too firmly established ever again to yield to Spring's soft influences.
The day was dark and dreary upon our arrival at Pittsburg. Smoke hung like a pall over town and country, and but for the sociability and hospitality that reigns within doors, Pittsburg would be the gloomiest ​of places. I could dwell for pages upon this theme; but the steam is up, I am seated upon the deck of the "David Marshall," and to the cloud-enveloped city and its heart-lighted homes I must bid farewell, and wend my way down the beautiful Ohio. Lovely river! how I turn to thee, as to an old, pleasant friend, upon whose bosom I have laughed and wept, thinking my joys and sorrows over and over again. Our boat proceeded slowly, in consequence of the floating ice, and at Wheeling we were obliged to cast anchor for days and days. Here, though the passengers resorted to many means for beguiling the hours, the time dragged, and the morning of our departure was one of joy to all on board. The weather had softened, and earth and sky were clad with a serenity I can not describe. The ice floated thinly upon the waters, and the boatmen sang cheerily as we glided over the moonlit and sunlit waves. Buoyant and happy were the hearts of all upon the deck and in the cabin. The outward and the homeward-bound seemed equally excited by some bright hope. The number of our passengers had increased. Among the new ones was a negro trader, whose name was W.; he had with him a number of unfortunate beings in chains and shackles. They were destined for the Southern market, and were all confined, with the exception of one—a good-looking, well-formed girl, for whom he had obtained a cabin passage, and who was treated better than her unfortunate companions. Why? Because the trader doomed her to ignominy. He knew he would be paid for his trouble and expense. She had beauty enough to arouse the base lust of some Southern buyer. I objected to sit at table with her—not through any ​feeling of superiority on my part toward the girl, but I thought if she came to that table her companions on the lower deck ought to have the same privilege—and it grieved me to contemplate the cause of the distinction shown between those who had been equally bought, and were alike to be sold. My objection caused some disturbance, and considerable discussion arose in regard to it among the passengers. Mr. W was highly indignant that I should have questioned his right to treat his goods and chattles as he pleased. Those of the passengers who were opposed to the system came to my aid, and Mr. W., not possessing arguments sufficient to silence me, thought his best plan was to brow-beat me, and called me a meddler, an abolitionist, and many other such names. Not noticing these epithets, I pursued my way untroubled by anything he could say.
On my arrival in Cincinnati, I obtained a situation as lady's maid, in the family of Mr. W., whose wife was the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Major O., of Kentucky; they were then stopping, temporarily, at the "Broadway Hotel." About a week after I had been with them, I had the pleasure of witnessing the distress of a Louisville lady, consequent upon the sudden disappearance of a beautiful slave girl, whom she had brought with her for a few day's stay in the Queen City. This girl was fairer and more lovely than her mistress, and despising the low servitude which oppressed her, it was scarcely to be wondered at, that, finding herself on free soil, she should seize the first opportunity to escape from it. She was sent out one morning to make purchases, and never returned, but found a happy home, I trust, on English soil. The ​lady related to me her loss and grivances, but, as I could not recognize the right of one human being to own another, I did not sympathize with her in the least.
Shortly after this, Mrs. W visited Louisville, and I accompanied her as child's nurse. We stopped at the Louisville Hotel, where it happened that the brother of the missing slave, of whom I have just spoken, was employed as a servant. This brother the lady had publicly threatened to sell unless the girl should produce herself. I saw him—pitied him, and had some conversation with him, during which he told me a sad story of suffering, and asked me, in imploring accents, if I knew of a spot on this wide earth, where he could be free? I frankly told him all I knew of Canada. I informed him how he could reach there; and yet I trembled for his youth and inexperience in a strange country, and a doubt rose in my mind, as to whether I had been his friend, or his enemy, in thus directing his footsteps to a new world and a new home. Future accounts of him, however, set my heart at rest upon this point, and on my knees I thanked God that I had been the humble means of unloosing the shackles of one upright and manly soul. His owners pursued him, but he was beyond their reach, and I was pounced upon by them, after having returned to Cincinnati, and arrested as accessory to the deed. When the officers came for me, I was alone with the baby, and refused accompanying them until Mrs. W 's return, to which determination they reluctantly assented. I also refused riding to the place of justice in a carriage which they had provided for the purpose, which very much disconcerted plans on foot ​in my behalf, as they intended, doubtless, conveying me to Kentucky, where I should, probably, in the excitement of the moment, have been severely handled. At the court of justice; I was questioned, with great minuteness, as to my complicity in this affair, which was now creating a wonderful stir in the sister cities. I did not deny giving the boy all the information I possessed upon the subject, and for this, I was sentenced to be tried before the bar of my country. Before the bar of God, I know well how such a trial would terminate, but in presence of human justice, I could not so easily decide the matter. At the expiration of three days, during which time I was under bail, given by Mr. W., I was delivered over to Kentuckians, notwithstanding the opinions to the contrary of Judges Spencer, Starr, Storer, and other distinguished lawyers. Thousands of persons followed me to the ferry-boat, which was to convey me across the Ohio River—some in sorrow and some in joy; all believing that I had made my final exit from Cincinnati—which, however, as the reader will see, was a mistake.
It is many years since those dark events transpired, and yet, under my own vine and fig tree, in the very heart of that same populous city, am I now, endeavoring to recall to myself, and those who may honor me with a perusal, some few of the strange incidents of my life.
I was placed in the jail of Newport, where I remained three days, without experiencing any very great discomfort, owing to the kind and sympathizing attentions of the jailor, whom I have always thanked, from my inmost heart, for a jail is not a place to be coveted under the best of circumstances. I was then ​removed to Louisville, where I was for three months a prisoner, and this for doing what I conscientiously felt to be a Christian deed. Here every persuasion was resorted to, to induce me to confess having committed a wrong. Then I was threatened, and told that I should be tried with Jones and Leavitt, the murderers; but, like Job, I adhered to my integrity to the last, preferring to be tried with, and die with (if necessary), those who had killed the body, rather than shrink from owning that I had boldly aided in rescuing the soul of an oppressed fellow-being. I said in reply to those who examined me, that I recognized no crime in what I had done—meant none. My speech to the court resulted in my acquittal, and I was permitted to go free ever afterward, in both free and slave states.
After these things, I sojourned awhile in Madison, Indiana, in the family of Mr. W., whose wife was the daughter of Mr. L., of Baltimore, well known from his interest in the colonization cause. But Madison was too quiet a town for me, and I returned to the Queen City, where I was fortunate enough to obtain a situation in the family of Mr. N. L., as nurse to a favorite grandchild, and son of Mrs. A. This dear lady I can not thank too much for her kind advice on many a serious occasion. I had a fiery temper, and she taught me to control it to a degree astonishing even to myself.
Of my little charge, I was very fond; and am as proud now of the grown young gentleman, whose little feet I trained to walking, and whose lips I taught to lisp many a childish sentence.
In this family, the cook and myself fell to open war, ​and I left. After this I obtained a situation in the family of Mr. G., our recent member of Congress; and the little baby girl I nursed there, is now in the full blush of early womanhood, whom none can behold but with admiration and respect; and when I see her floating along, with the dignity, grace, and ease of a sylph, upon the street and in the drawing-rooms, I can scarcely realize that it was I who taught her, in her babyhood, to walk. But, as I had rather a vagabond disposition, and loved change, I, soon after this, left the service of this pleasant family, and engaged again as child nurse to a sister of this lady, who was soon to embark with her husband and family for Europe—he having been partially promised a foreign appointment by General Harrison, who had just entered upon his office. The paternals on both sides of my new employers were judges, in high position, and possessed much public influence.
Having accomplished the ceremony of obtaining passports in Washington City, we sailed from New York in February on the "Louis Phillippe," and had a rough passage of twenty-four days across the ocean. A storm, which lasted forty-eight hours, drove us into the Bay of Biscay. The passengers were all fearfully alarmed, and gathered themselves together in groups in the cabin to die together, if such must be their fate. But our vessel weathered the gale, while many others sank beneath it, to be heard from no more till the sea, shall give up its dead.
On the twenty-fourth day "Land ho!" was shouted from the mast-head, and in a few hours more our feet touched the soil of France.
It was night when we arrived in Paris, where all ​looked gay, brilliant and strange. At the gates of the city our baggage was examined, according to custom, and we proceeded to the Maurice Hotel, the rendezvous of nobility and fashionable travelers. We were all glad to take an early sleep; but morning usually opens the eyes of the most fatigued sleepers, and a natural desire to take a peep at the strange world I had landed in, roused me earlier than usual from my slumbers.
I dressed myself and my little responsibility in double-quick time, and we sauntered forth into the area of the hotel to see how things looked. Order prevailed everywhere. All the world seemed to be doing just what it ought to do, and to have just enough time for its duties, and no more. We did not venture into the streets far, but nevertheless returned laden with news of the little which had already engaged our attention.
The next day the American Minister to France called with his daughters upon my lady and gentleman. The young ladies were perfectly French in manner and accent, very agreeable, and altogether pleasing. In a few days more, through the polite invitation of General Cass, we found ourselves inmates of his own delightful residence, where, the servants being all French, it was with difficulty I could make myself at home among them. Gradually, however, I acquired a sufficient knowledge of the language to understand what was going on around me, and to make myself understood. They were very kind to me, and I accompanied them to church on Sabbath mornings, where, instead of pews, chairs are made use of, for which each occupant pays a few sous. The ​Sabbath evening church in France is generally a ball, which startled me a little at first; but it is astonishing how naturally we fall into the tastes and customs of people with whom we are for the time associated. I was miserable at first about it, and very much conscience-stricken at this innovation upon my usual American habits; but finally, I regret to say, I became as French as the rest of them, and dancing on the Sabbath evening, after the day had been spent in strict observance of religious duty, no longer offended my notions of propriety. But the older I grow, and the more I see the necessity of devoting one entire day in the seven to theservice of God, the more I wonder that I could ever have been so misguided.
Day after day my little charge and I wandered up and down the Champs Elysees and in the Tuilleries gardens, admiring French sights and delighted with foreign objects. The shop windows upon the Boulevards often claimed our attention, and hour after hour, upon our return home, would we rehearse the events of our promenades.
Our visit to the hospitable home of General Cass having expired, my lady and gentleman took private apartments, where we remained a short time, acquiring every day more knowledge of the French language, and becoming hourly more accustomed to French observances; but at length Mr. ———, wishing to have all in fitting style upon the arrival of his appointment, took a private house, and set up his carriage, horses and servants in livery. The carriage my little responsibility and myself usually had the advantage of while my lady was making her toilette for visiting or the promenade, and everything went on ​charmingly until news arrived that Mr.———would not receive his anticipated appointment, it having been given to another. This was a damper to us all, inasmuch as the vexation of his disappointment did not fail to evince itself in the bearing of my gentleman, upon every occasion and to every person.
About this time the baptism of the Count of Paris took place, a ceremony I determined to witness, though my gentleman, on leaving home with my lady to be present at it, peremptorily ordered me not to absent myself from the premises during his absence; but through the kindness of an English lady, living in adjacent appartments, who had sprained her ancle, and could not go, I was provided with tickets which secured to myself and little responsibility a window commanding a fine view of the entire procession and paraphernalia of the occasion. Such a scene of splendor I never expected to see, and suppose I never shall witness anything so grand again. On reaching home I found my lady quite pleased that I and the child had enjoyed the scene, but her husband was boiling over with wrathful emotions at my disobedience. He never seemed to recognize that I had any right to amuse myself or to be happy upon any occasion; but for this I invariably cared precious little, though I never permitted myself to behave toward him as perhaps he deserved, in consequence of the high regard and esteem I bore my lady, who possessed a noble, unselfish disposition, and always treated me with the greatest kindness.
Subsequent to this event we removed to a house in Versailles, overlooking the gardens of the Prianon Palace, which was formerly occupied by a favorite ​mistress of Louis Quatorze. To these gardens my lady had free access at all times.
It would be impossible for my feeble pen to describe the beauty of the environs of the Palaces of Versailles. The gravel walks, innumerable fountains, jet-d'eaux, over-arching trees, and velvet lawns, are only things I can name as existing there, without possessing the power even to describe the emotions they occasioned me; and beside, they have been so frequently pictured by less humble historians than myself, that I can not presume to say more than that I saw, admired, and enjoyed them through many a long and idle day.
As I have said before, my lady wa kind and indulgent to me at all times. Three days in the week we were permitted to stroll through the palaces and gardens; and if my little charge were living to-day, her memory would be filled with bright visions of those pleasant times. But, both mother and daughter now sleep side by side, in Death's cold embrace. Peace to their ashes!
I enjoyed nothing more, in visiting the parks and other public places, than the splendid music, played by bands employed at government expense, to amuse and enliven the people. It was very pleasant to saunter about, and sit upon the rustic seats beneath the trees, and be regaled by the inspiring sounds, as they floated over the scene. Such hours as these, I fear, will never come again: but, at least, they will ever be pleasant memories.
It was curious to see and hear the people wonder who I was, and what country or nation I had come from, as I strolled through the parks, palaces and ​promenades, with my little responsibility by my side. She was very beautiful, and attracted the attention of every one, as her little lips first began to lisp the foreign tongue; and her mother, whom she greatly resembled, was the most admired American lady in Paris at that time.
I acquired the French language with a good deal of facility, and was not long learning to understand remarks made of myself and the child, as we passed along. I can not forbear mentioning a pleasant compliment paid to me, on my birth-day, by some very kind ladies. By a little stratagem, I was sent away by my lady, in the morning, upon an errand to General Cass' residence, quite a distance from home; so that I had necessarily to be gone an hour or two. On my return, I found my bedroom, which was always shared by my little charge, literally decorated, from floor to ceiling, with flowers. The bed and window curtains were looped up, and festooned with roses, carnations, peonies, jessamines, and every flower that adorned the gardens at that lovely season: white lilies hung in garlands over the bed curtains of my little charge; and in the center of the room stood a table, covered with cakes, wines, ices, and fruits. Not dreaming of the pleasant intentions of my friends in sending me away, I thought, on returning, that I must have mistaken my apartment, and so wandered in and out, puzzled as to the meaning of the transmogrification, until informed that it had been done in honor of my birth-day—a time-long and beautiful custom of France. It will be readily imagined that I was made happy and grateful by these kind attentions. The ladies wished a happy birth-day to Iangy; and many ​valets and bonnes came to pass the evening with me. My lady enjoyed the scene very heartily, and was not in the least deterred from expressing her satisfaction even by the furious scowls of her husband, who was averse to all comfort and contentment except his own. The company did not break up until a late hour; and altogether, it was one of the happiest events of my life.
Not long after this, I had a dispute with Mr. ———about my wages. When we left America, he agreed to pay me two dollars per week. Having spent all the money I brought with me, I one day asked him for the amount due me. He refused to give it to me, saying I need never expect to get any more from him than Paris wages. I was very indignant, and told him, in very plain words, what I thought of his conduct. Of course, after this scene, I left the gentleman's service.
I was sick of France, and longed for home; but did not yet leave Paris. I entered the service of the Countess M., as maid to herself, daughter, and young son, about ten years of age. A few weeks of leisure before going into this family, however, gave me an opportunity of enjoying many of the amusements of Paris—concerts, balls, hippodromes, theaters, operas, and fetes champetre, without number. No people love this latter amusement more than the French. I became very fond of it, and always regretted when I could not attend one. On one occasion particularly, I lamented being deprived (by arriving too late for the cars) attending a splendid fete champetre at Versailles: but it was well I did not go, as the whole train, by an accident, was destroyed by fire, and all ​the passengers were either burnt or disfigured for life. This determined me never again to deplore any disappointment too bitterly.
I saw more in France than Americans of the highest position see generally. I had made up my mind to confront every difficulty in sight-seeing, and I shall never regret having done so, for it has given me many a pleasant hour and thought since.
At the Countess M.'s I was very pleasantly situated, but found it necessary, in the service of a fashionable lady and her daughters, to understand hair-dressing; so I improved the hours occupied by M'lle M.'s music lessons by taking lessons in this art of one of the beet hair-dressers in Paris.
Lady M. and her family had determined to go to England, and I was to have gone with them, but their time of leaving was so indefinite, and I became so weary of my monotonous duties, that I concluded to quit my place and learn the art of flower-making. In this I succeeded pretty well, though I soon grew tired of it, and thought I should like dress-making; but, after a short trial, finding that did not suit me, I took a notion to learn cooking, but soon gave that also up. Nothing but hair-dressing pleased my fancy for any length of time. With amusements, alms-giving, and learning the fine arts I have mentioned, my money was at length exhausted; and learning that M'lle M. was ready to start for England, I made arrangements to go with her, and, bidding farewell to La Belle France, started across the channel.