The New York herald., 1878-12-21
mot A PENNY MORE"

THE LAST OF MANY DIsAPPoINrMENTs- POOR
/. woMAN's EFFORT TO SELL HER HAIR.
How many people there are in this great city who
weep genuine tears over the tragedies of the stage
over the unhappy fate of 'The Two Orphans and
similar creations CT the playwright's brain! Or. IN
romance has not the incident Of Victor Hugos Fan
tine selling her golden hair and pearly teeth to buy
bread for her little Cosete aroused feelings OF the
deepest emotion? If fiction can so move the heart,
how much more should fact! An incident as pitiful
as ANYTHING in romance was witnessed day or two
since by HERALD reporter. While lettering on
Fourteenth street, watching the eager throng OF
happy people out shopping for Christmas
presents he noticed an homogeneous figure
among them. 1t that of woman. tail, slight and
clothed in a dress of shabby black Her eyes wore a
sad expression and the lines about her mouth We're
tightly drawn What contrast was this pale face TO
the rosy cheeks and bright eyes on every side! The
reporter regarded her with interest. She stopped
suddenly III front of large store for the sale OF hui
man hair, near the corner OF sixth avenue Hesitate
ing moment and giving cautious glance up and
down the crowded thoroughfare she entered With
downeast ewes she walked up to counter, behind
winch stood well fed female clerk. Taking news
paper parcel from under her shawl she opened II out
before the cold gaze Of the clerk It was roll Of
hair about yard long thick and nne. In color II
nutbrown, with tinge of eold-Just the shade
of the wonans which clung IN short ringlets around
her face and just the shade that poets love to write
about II suggested those lines OF Cozzens':-
Oh loosen the snood that wear, Jeannette,
Let mc tangle hand in hair, my pet,
For the world to me hath no preitier sight
Than your brown hair bathed in It's golden light.
~How much viii you give for that p said the
tremulous voice of the woman. The shopkeeper
looked il critically; then coidy answered. "A dollar
and half.
The woman gazed blankly at her for moment is
that all Y ana the pent-up tears chased each other
down her careworn checks.
"A dollar and a half. not penny more" repeated
the woman from behind the counter.
The barber that cut it off told me that could get
$40 for it,, said the poor woman, choking back her
tears.
Then you had better sell it to him; we will give
you but dollar and half.
A young lady customer who had heard this con-
versation with mingled feelings Of indignation and
emotion turned TO the tradesw woman-"How can you
offer this poor woman such sum when you know
that you get least $50 for that hair z? said she
'.Of can; that is the way We do business.
The woman has heard my price,
Then you shall never get q cent OF my money,
replied the young lady hurrying from the shop.
.'Only a dollar and halfl On my God! is 1t pos
siDe2' and the wretched woman sank down upon
chair and buried her face in her thin hands. while the
reporter wondered What was back of all this, what
terrible want had induced this poor creature to part
with her beautiful hair; and even more he wondered
at the hard heart of the shopkeeper. The slight
figure of the shook with suppressed sobs; the
long ringlets lay upon the counter.
For the world to me hath prettier sight
Than your brown hair oathed in its golden light
Had any man ever said IS much of those shorn
locksl