Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-03
THE FLAXEN WIG.
BY J. CRAWFORD SCOTT,
lGentlomans Magazlns.l
PART /

niT. InTONIltk hOAAAu va
Surrey. was close on fifty when no de.
termined to marry. Hitherto he mad
lived a life of much seclusiou though,
as he was not morose. and on occasion
could display social disposition. he
could not Justly be considered q recluse.
An ampie patrimOny. which he had IN
heritod at III early age, had permitted
him 10 lead a life OF studious leisure.
AS he took a first class when at Christ
Church. and had shown considerable
debating powers at the Union, many OF
his friends had anticipated tnat he
would attain to distinguished place IN
nubhc hle. Int he soon lost all taste for
politics. and his retiring disposition
kent him from taking an active part IN
any social or economical questions.
MIR Adrian was man OF inexpensive
habits and by judicious investments his
fortune had greatly accumulated, SO that
naturally, as he advanced IN years
thonchts regarding tho ultimate dis
rosal of his wealth sometimes occurred
- him. Il was probably IN conse-
ouenco Of such meditatlons that no was
snddenlv seized by the regret that
he had not married IN early life. But
when he was considering the question 1t
occurred 20 Mr. Adrian that he was not
vet too old 10 repair the omission Many
men older than himself be knew, had mar
NED happilv. and been blessed with de-
siroble families. The result OF these de-
Lberatlons was that he thought IN 10
mention 20 several Of his most intimate
friends the probability Of his entering
the married state II lie could find SUIT
able mariner Those who heard Of his
intention thought that great good for
h1ne was IN store for some lucky young
lady. as Nr. Adrian, being only forty
vnc. was not outfageously old, and there
could be no doubt that he must he enor-
mously wealthy.
As ,oon as ne had fully made mp bls
mind 10 marry. perhaps AS natural con
scouonce. Nr. Adrian Suddenly began 10
he more particular about his personal
appearance. Without being actually
siovenly. he bad long been somewhat
neglected. IN tine matter Of dress. ms
circumstance was the moro remarkable
because IL his youth he had been some
thing of dandy. 1t was, therefore, the
easier for him now 10 employ tho good
taste that had formerly Distinguished ms
apparel. He found 1t different matter,
however, when he came to consider the
changes which timo had wrought IN
ms personal appearance. 80 devoted
had he been to his studlous
pursuits. and 50 careless OF his
looks. that il may be doubted II Nj.
Adrain had ever before fully realized
the fact that he was perfectly bald With
tins one important exception, time had
been rather Indulgent to hlm than other
wise. He WAS erect, aud his step was
still elastic; ne was free from bodily
complaint: his teeth were sound, and
his complexion was fresh and retained
much OF the ruddinoSs o! youth. Ii was
probably Mr.. abrams comparative IL
porance Of the world that lei hun to take
an exaggerated view Of his chief defect
rausing him 10 believe that 1t night
prove serious obstacle IN the eves OF
The lady on whom his choice might fail.
Certainly no man IN his circumstances,
whose knowledge OF tho world WAS eX-
tenave. would Rave been hkely to enter
tain such an opinion.
II was white meeuuously musIng upon
the disaiyautqgos under which me would
labor on entering the matrimonial mar
kot that Gr Adrian bcthouQht mm Of
procuring wiz I, rs "a singular fact
that men auo women 81 the utmost pro-
bitv in a.. other affairs OF lie have no
conjunction IN cheating each other
about theni- lecs, even although they
are aware tlat &c deceit must ultimate
~ be detect 'd.
The first tr9e he WIS in lond0D Mr..
Adrian accordingly went TO bis barber
and stated las wishes. The barber re-
nlied that DE wolil Ne pleasl TO make
the article ue required, but, if he dld
not mind some additional eXlousc, a
Wig could be procured iOr him from a
celebrated perraqu,cr IN Paris superior
10 spy thai could be made IN Lon
don. M. Adr.an eail that in q
matter such as tins excellence
was the point chiefly 10 be con
siiered. teasurcmont5 vera accord
inely taken OF Ais head. and memoranda
made respecting his complexion and tne
color Of las WHISPER. Then he was tod
that in about three weeks the wig would
arrive from Paris. aud would II APP
proved be at once forwarded TO him.
The barber added n any minute altera-
lions were required Dee would be pleased
TO make them. though, such was the skill
of the larsisu artist. there was little
doubt that thu WIG would fit perfectly
and give crest sails acton.
Mr.. Adusns present state Of mind
NAV be Judged 10y the fact that during
the next few weeks he awaited with ina
PATIENCE the arrival of the wig Only a
lev DAYS after tn stated time he received
it. When le Irt opened the box IN
which II was II ppearci 10 him TO be OF
too hight shade; hut this opinion was
soon altered when he tired On the VIZ
and observed tie me!amorphosis which
he underwent. The change wrought IN
his appearance was simply marvellous.
The WIZ fitted Ike = owe, and to use
another rather hac0neyod phrase dc
lection WAS impossible.
Mir. Adrian WAS one OF those falr,
smoolh-compleNorci men, who, pro-
vided they keep their HAIR upon Their
heads. retain a youthful appearance tall
far in middle age. Hitherto lac had
looked every day OF his years but now
he might readily nave passed for twenty
nine. respective o. the improvement
which II wrought ~ him the viz WAS a
msryel OF sllii an also OF beauty. The
hair. insteal of having a STILL set APP
pearance, as Is usual, fell IN natural
curves, and was as crispand soft as when
IT grew. Notwlthstau ling the hchtness
Of the shade. n 9.cnsd 10 accord per
fectly with his slight whisEers. lie was