CHAPTER II.

My New York Life--A Penurious Aunt who fed me on Turkey--My First Fancy Ball--Spending One Thousand Dollars for a Costume--The Schermerhorns give a ball in Great Jones Street--Sticking a Man’s Calf and Drawing Blood--A Craze for Dancing--I Study Law--Blackstone has a Rival in lovely Southern Maidens--I go to San Francisco in ’50--Fees Paid in Gold Dust--Eggs at $2--My First Housekeeping--A faux pas at a Reception, 13