Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1886 — EQUAL TO THE OCCASION. [ARTICLE]

EQUAL TO THE OCCASION.

Why the Barones* Cut Off Her Beautiful ' Hair. So many American girls have been chronicled in the press for years as going abroad and wedding titles, that the symptoms of a turn in this wonld be welcomed. The recent announcement of the engagement of the Baroness von Me'ssenbach and A leading jeweler of Springfield, Mass., is a hopeful indication. The Baroness is not au immature girl, but a woman who knows what she wants, and usually gets it. The instance is not, however, devoid of a distinct flavor of romance. The lady in question is decidedly eccentric, and many amusing stories are afloat concerning her, both within and without the charmed circle of her friends and acquaintances. Some years ago the American Minister at the Court of the Netherlands took with him as his companion his only child—a daughter. This daughter was his idol, and he decided that she should never marry, but devote her life to art, literature—and himself; and, with this in mind, every instruction was placed within her reach, until her acquirements were something of which her father was justly proud. Imagine, therefore, the paternal wrath when soon after his recall to America a worthy physician of small income, having become enamored of the mature charms of his daughter, proposed, with her permission, for her hand. Though the ex-Minister had himself married a second time, he refused to countenance the marriage, which, notwithstanding the opposition, took place, the father being conspicuous by his absence. The result was disinheritance and love in a rented cottage on a very comfortable income with the man of her choice. During the happy days at the foreign court the lady's most intimate friend was a lady-in-waiting to the Queen, and a memory of this girlish attachment prompted a letter to madam from her former friend, now the Baroness Von Meissenbach, which arrived something more than a year ago in the quiet village, expressing an ardent desire to visit her in crossing the continent on a proposed tour around the world. Madam sensibly replied, expressing her hospitable wishes for a visit from her old friend, but frankly regretting that her small home could not comfortably accommodate the Baroness’ maid. Most ladies accustomed to constant personal attendance from childhood would have dismissed the project at once; not so the Baroness. Promptly, instead, she set about devising how she may at the same time enjoy visiting her American friend and spare her embarrassment. After some practice she conquers the intricacies of her toilet unaided, but the abundant straight black hair refuses to obey her unskilled fingers until in despair over its unruly masses she comes to the remarkable decision to sacrifice under the swift shears of the hair-dresser her precious tresses to the more precious friend. The Baroness von Meissenbach arrived in May of 1885 and spent a long summer in her friend’s quiet American home; and her odd little figure, short and square, with neat skirts reaching the tops of substantial walking boots, short hair parted on one side, and the inseparable cane which she carried jauntily, was a well-known feature of the elm-shaded streets. In September the Baroness is joined by her party, of which the brother of her early friend formsone; she changes her ordinary headgear for a cap with a glazed visor, which she sets somewhat back on her cropped head, and between Boston and Niagara her clear enunciation of the most surprising questions and remarks amused the inmates of the Pullman car until they lost sight of her at the Falls. At every station she would get out and walk the platform, and at every whistle out of the window would pop the black head with the close cap to see what was up. The sequel of the journey comes in a “stick” of printed matter announcing the engagement.—. Springfield (Mass.) letter.