A Hairdresser's Experience in High Life by Eliza Potter Xiomara Santamarina

Author:Eliza Potter, Xiomara Santamarina [Eliza Potter, Xiomara Santamarina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780195061987
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 1991-04-18T00:00:00+00:00

On the stand was a young girl who, it appeared, had been born in New York, and had gone traveling with an unprincipled family, who had undertaken to sell her. The girl had the presence of mind, through the advice of many friends, to suffer herself to be sold, and, as the custom was to undress them to see if they were perfect or not, she allowed herself to be partially stripped, when, in a loud, shrill tone, she declared they should proceed no further. The man who bought her came up and told her she was his property now, and must do as she was bid; and as they proceeded to use violence, she asked a friend who stood behind her for a pen-knife, and ripping open her corset, took out her free papers, and, holding them up, demanded who dare insult her, or use such violence any more! The rascal himself was not present, but the man in whose hands he had placed her, was immediately arrested and put under bail.

I stood for some time watching this market. Several were put up and sold off to the highest bidder; some seemed satisfied with their lot, and others, apparently, grieved to death. I then left, feeling more heavily burdened than ever in my life—vowing and declaring that I would never come another season to the South to earn the money that was made so hard by others.16

I finished my work that day. My ladies all noticed there was something the matter; and when they asked me, I said, “Nothing, nothing”; feeling there was more the matter than either good feeling or conscience, in Louisiana, could relieve. I went home, and for several days played sick. Many ladies came to see me; many again sent to know how I was, and what was the matter. I must say, while in Louisiana, I received not only good pay from ladies, but real kindness, and numerous invitations to visit the different plantations; and everywhere was kindly received, as cruelty to the slaves does not come under the observation of the ladies’ visitors. Did all this make me satisfied with the South? No—it did not.17

A kind lady, thinking I was very sick, came and wished to take me on her sugar plantation until I should recover my health. I told her I felt very much obliged to her, but would not go, as I was not so sick, but only wounded. She tried to ascertain of me what I meant, and I told her I would tell her before she left the city.

The next day, on going to see the Misses M——, I resumed my duties. The eldest asked me how I was, and hoped it was not our conversation had made me ill. I told her it was not. The youngest came up and said, “Iangy, you look nervous.” I said, “Madam, I am not nervous, nor have I ever been; do you think a poor working-woman could be nervous?” The eldest replied, “Yes; we are all God’s creatures, and liable to be nervous and sick in various ways.

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