A Hairdresser's Experience in High Life

7. Minnie

• 7 Minnie Some twenty years ago, I knew a family in Kentucky, all the members of which were remarkable for their beauty. We will call them the Smiths. Therewere two beautiful daughters; the elderone, I called by the pet name of Minnie. As a child, she was amiable and lovely; and she grew up both beautiful and intelligent. At the age of fifteen, her eyes became affected, which procured her leave of absence to return home from school. During that time she became acquainted with Noble in a rather peculiar manner. As he was sitting, with other members of the family, in the hall which went through the middle of the house, he raised his eyes, and was astonished at the vision of loveliness that greeted his sight, coming down the broad stairway . She was dressed in a white cambric morning wrapper, confined at the waist with a rich blue silk cord and tassel; her clear red and white complexion contrasting beautifully with herdisheveled hairof dark chestnut, which nearly reached her feet.When she saw the stranger, she gave a scream, and ran back to her room. In the evening, the gentleman returned, and was introduced to her. He had fallen in love at first sight, and the introduction had only tightened the chains on the part of Noble. But Minnie, young as she was, already loved another.1 When her familyand friends saw the impression Minnie had made upon Noble, they immediately went to work to make a match between them. Not long after Noble had left Kentucky, they started with Minnie for the East. They remained several days in the city where Noble was; and he and Minnie were thrown together as much as possible. They walked and rode together, and he accompanied her to all the fashionable places of amusement . They were finally engaged to be married, which fatal affair took 73 Minnie place in the cemetery. It was within the walls of the dead, and among the silent tombs, that she consented to be his bride. Her object being gained, she started for home, leaving behind her broken hearts in Washington, and every other place she had stopped.When she arrived at home, she was greeted by the one she loved, but not by the one who loved her. Autumn was passing, and winter drew nigh, when they departed for the South. Shortly after, Noble, who loved her so dearly, followed her. This gave her great notoriety, as he was a man of high standing. Minnie now seemed desirous of avoiding him. I have often seen her dodge behind the one she would be walking with; when she would meet him, she, perhaps, would be on the one side of the street, and he on the other. Though engaged to him, she never loved him; she only wanted him for a while: for, after it was known she was engaged to him, she had lovers by the score. She then thought to get rid of him by persuading him to go to Europe, hoping, by the time he got back, she would be married to one she loved. They corresponded all the time he was in Europe. The letters were sometimes favorable and sometimes unfavorable. At last he told her he was prepared for anything, either for acceptance or rejection. To do her justice, she did at this time discard him, and wrote a letter to him to that effect, which she sent to the post office. Her mother, on learning this, went to the office, and demanded it, on pretense of having forgotten something she intended to put in it. She then went home, and made her daughter write a letter of acceptance, standing by her while she did it. Two months from that day, the gentleman was on his native shore again; and you may be sure hewas not long in presenting himself to the loved one. She received him with a smile, while her heart was bleeding, for she still cherished the hope that she would marry the one she loved. The time for the marriage was set, and the town was on the qui vive.2 Noble returned home to settle his affairs, preparatory to the event. In the meantime, Minnie went to the parents of her former lover, and, on her knees, swore she would never give her hand to any one but their son. At the same time, dressmakers, milliners, shoemakers, and even to diamondpolishers , were busy preparing for her...