100 a hair-dresser's experience
me two hundred dollars, which Mr. F thought was a
great deal too much for me to handle, and thought one
hundred enough.
I took the hundred and went to Saratoga; there I
found many and warm friends ; many of them wished
to raise a subscription for me, but I would not allow
them, as I said the railroad was able to pay me, and
I meant that they should do so. I received more
kindness and attention from the proprietor and house¬
keeper than I ever did before. It seemed as though
every one wanted to do something for me.
On the 12th of September I went back to Albany
to get the balance of my money. It was the 18th be¬
fore I got away from there. They seemed all per¬
fectly astonished at the list of my clothes. Mr. F
was aghast at the idea of my paying thirty-five dol¬
lars for a moire antique dress, and said his wife never
had a dress cost so much. I laughed, and told him I
had a dress which cost me fifty dollars, and a mantle
to suit which cost me fifty more; and if his highness
pleased, I had a suit that cost me one hundred and
fifty dollars.
It would have amused any person who knew the
extent of my wardrobe, to be behind the door and see
their wide-open eyes and hear their catched-up breath
when they came to any articles more expensive than
others; and when Mr. F came, on the list, to a vel¬
vet basquine trimmed with deep fringe, he seemed to
think it was an impossibility; but there were so many
persons both in Albany and New York that knew the
extent of my wardrobe, that he could no longer doubt.
I was never more amused in my life, than at seeing
the different railroad gentlemen pick up my list, look
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