Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/231

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IN HIGH LIFE.
233

remained some time at the Verandah. The gentleman there obtained possession of his wife's jewelry, and, with all the money he could collect, left for parts unknown, and for several months was not heard of: when last heard of, he was still traveling. It frequently happens that those who marry foreigners for their titles or wealth, find themselves thus deceived. I can not but laugh sometimes to see how some of our upper tens get picked up.

Some few years ago a gentleman came to this city, who passed himself off as the son of an Indian chief; he was gallanted here and there, and parties were given him by some of our first families. This chief turned out to be a fugitive slave; he actually both roomed and slept with some of our gentlemen, and did not feel as if he had lowered himself at all. This went on for a few weeks, till a very large party was given him; but when they went to look for him they found him at what you call a "break-down shin-dig," in the lower part of the town. A few days passed, and he was captured by his master. Having been taken down South, he made master and friends believe he would not live in a free State, notwithstanding his being so pampered and allowed to go at large. The last I heard of him he had escaped to Montreal. He was as smart a man as I had the pleasure of conversing with in Toronto.

During my servitude at Mr. L———'s, while running around with the child, I one day noticed a little boy coming into the office; he looked the very picture of distress. Mr. L. asked him what was the matter: he replied that his mother wished to put him in a segar manufactory, and he did not want to go. Mr. L.