The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-09

And bore the bullock down Il
he threw John plumber'H lump Of lead
From Ganow's Hill to town;
And yet his arm around my waist
ls colt as aatn gown.
You may have brighter eyes than mine,
And better colored hair.
Your hands may be more white and fine,
Your frightened waist more spare
You charm all ether men-1 him.
want no charm you bear.
-Tssskys AogGzice.
MYSTERY OF TIE MANICURE.
How Gotham's Bellies are Beautifled.
It is not generally known to the people
ing of finger nails is followed in that
city as regular business, and that too,
most pro6tably. The vocation, or rather
the person following the vocation, is
dignifed by the euphonious title, .'mari-
cure," the exact meaning OF which la|
rather 1ncomprehesible to the general
mind in Its ignorant state of the especial
points Of the business.
A few doors from Sixth avenue, on
Twenty third street, is located the only
and orlgina. manicure of New York. At
this place the reporter called and was
ushered into handsomely furnished par
lor, where he was received by tall,
graceful woman, whose large black eyes,
raven hair and olive complexion indicat-
ed a Southern origin. She had arisen
rather languldly from a low chair, in
front OF an open CRATE FIRE, and as she
ca1elessly threw back silk circular that
rested on her shoulders, she did not look
unlike some mystic dealer in magic.
This idea was further carried out in the
arrangement of the furniture and decora-
items Of the room. The sunlight was for
moment shut out by rich curtain
drawn in front of the windows and cut
ting off small space at the south end of
the room. A soft, rich carpet covered
the floor, easy chairs and sofa or two
stood around without much regard to
order, while the walls were decorated
with mirrors or pictures. A large col.
lection OF bric-a- brac, chiefly oriental in
lis character, and an upright piano COM
pleted the furniture Of the manicure's
sanctum. -... ...4.
''Do you wish your finger nails done2"
asked the lsay,as she observed her visitor
hesitate.
"No, madam; my visit is for differ
ent purpose. Your business IS not we'll
known one, and if you will allow me to
sit here for short time, and watch what
takes place, you will confer quite favor,
for l believe that may find something
interesting to the public"
II do not know about that; but at
any rate, will grant your request. I
have been working very hard this fore
noon, and, when you came in, was at
tempting to snatch a moments rest-but
there goes the bell now! You will have
to excuse me until I dispose of these call
ers. In the meantime, make yourself
comfortable, and find what amusement
you CAM
At the ringing Of the bell,a little short,
dark woman tripped lightly and noise
lessly from behind the curtain and ush-
cred in the customer, a tall, slender
young lady, richly dressed, and apparent
~ OF the first society. The young lady
was Immediately led into the mysterious
recess by the manicure, while the noiseless
little brunette took up a blue glass bowl
and filled it with red fluid from shin.
| ing kettle suspended in the CRATE. Their
all was still, except the slight mu1mur Of
two female voices busilv conversing be.
hind the curtain. This curtain had now
been partly drawn aside, and the report
er could see that the area cut of was sub
divided into two compartments, one O.
which was closed, and was occupied by
the manicure and her patient, or rather
customer, while the only occupant of thu
other was the little dark woman sitting
demurely at the window. This little
woman was the manicuze's assistant
, Very soon the customer came out to tn.
assistant, and was subjected to what an
peared to 5e most vigorous rubbing O.
the hands. She was then led through
the large room to q basin, where be,
hands we're washed, and the whole opera
ton was completed.
The customers are now coming in ra
pidly, and while embracing every age
f they seem to he confined almost wholly Il
the richer classes. As many as fifteen a
one time were waiting for an opportuni
ty to be served, and the manner IN which
t they sat around and glanced obviously
/ at those ahead of them, strongly suggest
| ed a barber shop. This idea was strength
ened by the manicure crying out, next,
whenever she finished customer among
!
, te1noon, the reporter noticed an old gen
t tleman, at least sixty-fve years old. His
face was wrlnkled, his eyes were blearen
, his voice was cracked; his head was bald
!, his teeth were gone, his form was ben
: and his step was feeble; yet he had driy
t en- down that fine afternoon to the mani.
cure to have his finger nails cleaned ant
shaped, and when his 'snext'' came, h,
/ puckered his parched lips into what wa.
/ intended to be smile, ard disappeared
S behind the curtain. And there were ais.
| obese old ladies, gorgeous in silks, velvet
) and diamonds, who came into the rom
E putting and wheeling from their exe1tio1
t In mounting the steps from the street
There was De distinguished line between
their necks and shoulders, and their ia
. wrists rolled down over their hands al
? most to the knuckles, still they wanted
: aristocratic nails, and had come to sub
ject their fat, chubby fingers to the mani
E cures art. There were also handsom,
matrons and pretty girls, who lookee
: mischievously at young dandy, VIII
Isported gold eye glass and sucked {