New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-09-09
"a
THE FALSE HAIR. "A TALE.

From Chanbers' Edinburgh Journal.
THE FALSE HAIR....A TALE
"Pray remember, Monsieur Lagnier, that l
wish particularly to go out this morning. 1t is
now past one o'clock and if you continue en-
deavoring to do what is quite impossible, my
hair will never be dressed. You had much bet
ter plait it as usual
Adelaide de Varenne pronounced these words
in a tone Of pettishness very unusual with her,
as, giving vent to long sigh of impatience and
weariness, she glanced hastily at the mirror on
her toilet table. and saw there reflected the
busy fingers of NJ. Lagnier, the hair-dresser, de-
liberately unfastening her hair, and preparing
once more to attempt the arrangement, which
repeated failures had declared to be an impos-
sibility. He looked up, however, as he did so,
and seemed to read the expression of her fea-
lures, for a comic mixture of astonishment and
dismay Immediately overspread his own.
"Fifteen years." he exclaimed, ssI have had
the honor of daily attending mademoiselle, and
she never was angry with me before! What can
have done to offend her'''
"Oh, nothing very serious" replied the young
girl, good naturedly; &c but really wish you
would not daily so long 1t is Of very little con-
sequence, think, how ones hair is worm
"Why, certainly every style is equally be-
coming to mademoiselle,' was the old mans po-
lite reply. Nevertheless, [ had set my heart
upon arranging it to-day according to the last
fashion; it would suit mademoiselle d rauir' -
Adelaide laughed.
ssBut you see it is impossible she said ssI
have so very little hair and am sure it is not
my fault--nor,'' she added archly, sc the fault
of all those infallible pomades and essences re-
| commended to me by somebody / know" M.
| Lagnier looked embarrassed.
Mademoiselle is so gay, she finds amuse-
ment in every thing he replied. 'sI cannot
| laugh upon SO serious a subject" Ade-
| laide laughed again more heartily than before,
and M. Lagnier continued, Indignantly ssMa-
| demoiselle does not care for the loss of her
beauty, then ~
"Oh, did not know there was any question
of thatr' and the young girl suddenly resumed
an expression of gravity, which completely i'm
posed upon the simple old man.
&c You see mademoiselle,' he continued earn
estly, have been considering a long time wha
is best to be done. 1t is evident that my po.
mades, usually so successful, have no effect upon
your hair, owing, | suppose, to-to- can't
say exactly what it is owing to. 1t is very
strange. l never knew them to fail before
Would mademoisele object to wearing a slight
addition of false hair?'' he asked anxiously,
after moments pause.
Indeed, should not like it, was the reply
Besides, Monsieur Lagnier, you have often
told me that, in all Paris, it was impossible to
obtain any of the same shade as mine.''
| s'Ah, but l have succeeded at lastn' ex-
claimed he; and as he spoke, he drew tri-
umphantly from his pocket small packet in
which was carefully enveloped long lock Of
soft golden hair.
How beautiful!' Adelaide involuntarily ex.
claimed. ''Oh, Monsieur Lagnier, that is fa1
finer and brighter than mine''
sThe difference is very slight indeed; il
would be imperceptible when both were braided
together returned the hair dresser. ssDo
pray, allow me, mademoiselle, to show you the
effect;' and without waiting for reply, ht
commenced the operation. In few moments il
was completed and the old mans delight wa
extreme. "There!'' he exclaimed in ecstacy
81 knew the style would suit you exactly Oh
mademoiselle, pray allow it to remain so;
should be az d6sespoir were I obliged to unfas
ten it now
Adelaide hesitated; it was, however, no con
scientious scruple which oecasoned her hesita
ton. She was a Frenchwoman, beauty, ant
a little-a very little-of coquette 10 adj
to her attractions by the slight supercheries 0
the toilet was, she thought, very venial sin
it was thing which, in the society that sur
i rounded her, was looked upon us necessary, an,
sometimes even considered as a virtue. Sh
was strange girl, q dreamer, an enthusiast
with warm heart, and lively, but perhap
too easily excited imagination. From her in
fancy she had been accustomed to reflect, t
question, and to reason; but left almost en-
tirely to her own unguided judgment, the habi
was not in every respect favorable to the forma
tion Of her character. 1t was, however. bu
little injured by it. She was one of those efavore
beings whom no prosperity can spoil, no educa
tion entirely mislead, and whose faults aris
from the overt1owings of good and generou
, nature. The thought which agitated her mo-
was one worthy of her gentle heart.
''Monsieur Lagnier,' she said earnestly
"such beautiful hair could only have belonge
to young person. She must have beenin grea
distress to part with it: Do you know her
Did she sell it to you What is her name,
cannot bear to wear it shall be thinking
her continually
"Ah, Mademoiselle Adelaide, that is so lii
you! Why, have provided half the youn
ladies in Paris with false tresses, and not on
9 has ever asked me the slightest question as I
5 how or where they were obtained Indeed
y should not often have been able to reply. l
this case, however, it is different. / bought
myself, and consequently can give you ilttl
information respecting it. Yesterday evening
!, when young girl, attracted no doubt by tn
! general appearance of my window, stopped
admire the various articles exhibited there
= She had pretty face, but scarcely looked 0
$ that; only saw her hair, the beautiful, ricl
: golden hair. 1t was pushed carelessly benin
Il her ears, and half concealed beneath lit
!, white cap. Mademoselle,' said, aecostin
Z her-for could not bear that she should pa
d the door is there anything that you woul
), like to buy pair of combs, for instance
|. !, have some very cheap, although added, vii
ss sigh, as she appeared about to move on, ''sue
= lovely hair as yours requires no ornament"
these words, she returned quickly, and lookir
D into my face, exclaimed: ssWill you buy n
hair, monsieur '' Willingly, my child,'' r
piled; and in another instant she was seated
my shop, and the bright scissors were gleamil
above her head. Then my heart failed me, al
felt half inclined to refuse the offer. ga
> you not sorry child, to part with your hair z
4 asked. ''No,'' she answered abruptly, a.
gathering it altogether in her hand, she put
Of si into mine. The temptation was too great; b
sides. saw that she herself was unwilling th