West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-12-27

arisen from beneath the hands Of the hair
dresser and donnod his hat preparatory to
departure approached and addressed
Rosine
Il beg pardon, Mademolselle. but few
young girls would be willing to sell that
hair Of yours for any sum whatever" he
said, kindly. "May ask your motiveg"
''My mother is very ill-we need food
and medicine" said Rosine Il only
grieve that cannot have more money for
il. think il is worth more"
'I'would give hundred francs for it,"
said the gentleman "wn you sell it to
mel'
lis Monsieur in the hair dressing line7"
asked the proprietor.
"No, said the gentleman; IL shall buy
it for my wife. l hope Well, Mademoi-
sellc, will you sell it to met"
''Oh, yes Monsieur, we can live long
while on "A hundred francs" cried Rosine
'Sce, then, said the gentleman, opening
his pocket-book. ''Herc Is the money
You may sign a receipt for il, and give me
your address. do not wish to cut it off
until my wife arrives in the city. You can
wear it until them
"Oh, Monsieur" cried Rosine, "mav |
not have it cut off at once. We are stran-
gers. IL seems-somehow more-more l
mean that if | take the money before give
you my HAIR, l will feel as though | had
been begging; and poor as we are, mamma
and |, and unladylike as selling ones hair
must seem, my father was a gentleman Of
good position, and we were once as far from
expecting such reverscs as any who now live
in luxury. know my hair ia fine know
it is worth what you offer, but want to
give ii to you now, sir.
'Give me your address instead, " said the
gentlemaa. Il will keep this receipt you
have written, and when introduce my wife
70 you, you shall give it to me- She is not
in Paris now, but if you change your resi-
dence you will be honorable enough 10 let
me know, Madcmoiselle.
"Oh, yes, Monsieur" cried Rosine,
''Gou have saved mamma from starvation.
aud would not cheat you for the whole
world, and Rosine tied on her bonnet and
ran out of the hair-dressers shop and home
AS fast as she could go.
"Your wife will not wait for her hair.
Monsieur said the hair-drcsser with a
smile. Excuse me, but are you always
30 conldingl"
81 am not afraid, said the gentleman.
''ThAt is young lady"
"a girl who runs about Paris alone like
that to sell her hair1 Monsieur is evidently
f,om the country" said the hair DIR ssser as
contemptuously as he dared, for the Gus
toner had spoiled good bargain for him.
Meanwhile Rosine had told her story to
her mother.
zone hundred francs, mammal" cried
ROsine. lone hundred francsl You can
have wine, and coffee, and medicine. You
will get well. "
eyes, child, If God Wills it," said the
mother. "And ! will work hard; ! will
earn money. We will pay the gentleman
his hundred francs, and your lovely haIr
shall never be cut of"
my hair will grow again, mamma, " said
Rosine ''Now taste what bought for
you in the little shop at the corner"
As time passed on Rosinc did give sigh
sometimes when she thought Of the moment
when her shining tress,s should be shorn.
She was only fifteen, but she was old
enough to value her one great beauty
However her mother recovered They
gained employment, and wero rather more
comfortable. They changed their apart
ments for neater and more airy rooms, and
Rosine sent her address promptly to the
purchaser OF her golden locks.
One day he made his appearance ne
was as courteous as though Rosiue and her
mother had been ladies Of rank, and before
no went he left number Of fine handker-
chiefs to be elabora.ely marked, but the
balr WAS not yet ee led. His wife had not
arrived in Paris II name, "a IN " already
knew, was Monsieur Brun After this he
brought them many valuable orders for
embroidery, for which his servant always
called
SO the year passed. Rosine was sixteen
Ill was her birthday. Her mother had
bought her little bouquet Of yiolcts, but
later in the day another gift arrived. Mon
sieur Brm brought it himself. II was an
exquisite bask, Of tea-roses and heliolrope.
Madame was atthemoment absent from
home. Rosino received hlm, biushing.
She thanked him for bis GIFT
"You have been go good TO us. Mon.
sieur, she said. GLOW can thank yonyo
my dear Mademoiselle, you can repay
me FOR much more than have done. re-
piled Monsieur. ~ am almost afraid 10
ask it, but-will you give me your hairy"
"You have already bought 80. Monsieur.
said Rosinc. 81 will have It cut of at
once. Madame, then, has arrivcdl'
But somehow she felt that all the bright
ness Of the day had fed Her heart grew
heavy, and tears came 10 her eyes u was
not only the thought Of parting with her
hair that grieyed her. She became sudden
ly aware that Monsieur B was more 20 her
than a mere benefactor
MADAME has not yet arrived. replied
Monsieur B uIpdcod / havo ,e,cr to,,