house where the party was, as they had asked me to come and take a peep at the ladies, and see how they looked.
As I walked along there were several persons behind me hallooing and hooping, and I could hear them say, "let us frighten her to death," but I did not feel at all alarmed, although many persons had been garroted, for I generally had in my basket a good protector.
I went on to the house, took a peep at the ladies, who all looked beautiful, and seemed to enjoy themselves so much, that I staid rather later than I intended. On my going home, there were two men standing on the corner of Fourth and Sycamore—one went back, and the other walked a little distance behind me, until we got to near Race street, when he stopped before me, and he did not speak, but walked close to me. Stepping back, I told him if he took another step he would fall at my feet. He said he was not following me, he was going for a doctor; and so saying he went up a gentleman's steps and pretended to ring the bell. When I got round the corner, I took a peep at him to see whether he would go in or not: he stood at the door till he thought I was out of sight, and then ran away as fast as he could. I am sure if he had had wings he could not have gone any faster. This shows that any man who will attack a woman on the street is an arrant coward, and a woman can frighten him to death. I was very glad to get home, and then made up my mind I would not go to parties any more, but settle down.
The next morning I started out with a full determination to go to no parties and not be out later than I
