The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-22
Nlis1eIlar1eo11s.
(From the New Orleans Daily Crcsccntl
Madam Mercer's Hairdrosser.
by MARY ASHLEY.

by NARY ASHLEY.
81 heard you WONDER" said our guest,
Madam Mercer, sat having gray hair ut my
time in life. But 1t was just Us white twen-
ty years ago, and then was young girl"
We expressed our astonishment, adding
that Marie, her twin sister, still retained the
jetty locks Of early youth.
"True," she answered, "yet II was through
sister Marie that lost mine; but will tell
you all about it,"
She drew her easy chair closer to the gratc,
shook her silver curls, and began:
at was just such anight as this; wildand
stormy, twenty years ago, that sister Marie
and myscE sat In our little back parlor at
home alone. We lived in long, low stone
house, which believe is still standing, in
the vicinity of Fishkill village, New York
Mother had already been dead several years,
and father was confirmed invalid 80 that
young as we were, we had learned to be more
sclErcliant than many women arc ut my
present age. With tho assistance Of an old
negress named Lois, who, in our palmy days
had been mothers body servant, and who,
though manumitted, still retained her place
as servant in the family, we kept house. re-
ceiying our friends, who were numerous, rs
is generally the case where the family shows
an Independent spirit and no desire to use
their friends, entertained our suitors, for Ma
rie and | each had our admirers, and attend.
ed scrupulousy to all of fathers wants.
On that particular evening, Marie and |
were talking of poor Guy Dewitt, who h.d
been mady IN love with my sister, but could
inspire NO reciprocal passion in her breast
She never encouraged him from the very
first and often when we were going from
church or from a party, places where in
country towns young girls are always sure
to find escorts, she used to wink ut mo to ex-
change places with her If Guy was at her
side. MS we were so exactly alike that poor
mother herself could not distinguish us save
by lifting Marie's hair from her forehead,
where was an almost impcrceptible freckle
which had not been given me. or course 1t
was very easy, us wo also dressed alike, to
deceive our village bcaus, who ohentimes
poured their confidence. in this way into
ears that they never intended should hear
them.
wearicd at last of Guys prosecuting at
tentions, Marie forbade him the house tell
ing him if he could not be friend without
being lover, they must meet no more
Twice after this he found an opportunity to
urge his suit and when he found Mario iirm
in her rejection Of him, and that his suit was
hopeless, he went ineurably crazy. The
event had surprised and gricved us both deep
ly; nd talling Of 1t that night, | told her
held her guiltless, and believed the whole
community did the same, OF ever deludinS
Guy with false hopes.
We were interrupted in the conversation
by the postman's horn; for tho mail in those
days was carried by man on horseback
who distributed his few letters and papers
at the doors of those to whom they were ad-
dressed, or placed them in little wooden box
es put up on posts at tho meeting of cross
roads. Father, we knew, would send us
letter by this post. Ic had been gone
week; friend living in tho ncighborhood
of Lake Mahopacc, not then the fashionable
resort of the present Gay, having induced
him to go and try the air of his quiet noun
tain home.
When we read the letter which the drip
ping postman had sent in by Lois, We were
greatly troubled. Il was written not by
father himself but by his friend. 1t stated
that father had not been benefited by his
change of air and was sinking rapidly. I'M
able to return home himself, one or both OF
us must come at once to him, the critical
state of his health admitted no delay on our
part. He advised us, however, by no means
to undertake the jjaunt alone, but to provide
ourselves with proper esco:t.
We decided to send at once and take our
places in to-morrow's stage, but upon COM
municating our news to LOIS, she fell to weep
ing and groaning, and passed into such
state of nervous. excitemeot that 1t became
imperative for one of us to remain win her'
This, it was finally decided, should DO Marie
had never travelled alone, but TINS time
there was no alternative. The road between
Mahopac and Fishkill was then but little
travelled, and at this season OF the year was
almost impassable. In fact 1t was q rare
thing for stage to be run there, there being
no regular line established upon that route;
II was only when passengers enough arrived
at Poughkcepsie who wished to go on TO
Mahopac, that there was any indnccment 20
nut ON an nextra." So it wan an extra
with yellow body and black wheels, that
drew up at our door the next morning; ana
kissing Marie as shook the hand oi Lois' l
went out to take my place.
A man sat on the box with the driver, and
as approached, looked down at mo very
earnestly. hut be was muflled to the very
ewes 80 that | did not believe him to bc any
| II ,,,, ooo,,;,,,,ces I was engaged to Mr.
Mercer at this time; and our marriage was
only being deferred in hopes oi @thers res
toration to health. Iwrotc to him before
leaving, telling him Of my proposed Jannt,
and that would be glad. II possible, to have
him come up from New York and meet mo
at Mahopac.
Think Il was the widest day ever saw
on which left home; the wind blew bois-
terously. and the only interruption to tho
continued rain was now ana theh q snow
squall, so binding and bcnumbinng that the
driver was obliged to stop when 1t occurred,
and turn the carriage partially around 81 rs
not to face the gust, and wait until i pass-
cd. There was but one pcrson inside the
stage beside myself, an old gentlemen. who.
though hale and healthy, looked as though
he had seen three scoro years and ten.
He told me as we ploughed our way
through the mirery road, over slippery noun
tains and valleys overaowcd, that he was In
search Of lunatic grandson, whom no had
been most devotedly attached to since tho
young mans boyhood. lilo had become oi
late, from causes known only to the family,
hopelcssly deanged: and though placed un-