The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-04-07

| -aG once. Will pay you Aol yum
| trouble"
expressed my gratitude with almost
tears in my eyes. 81 have no material
here-but anything will do" L said, as
opened my trunk and took out an
apron. II will run a tuck across the
bottom-it will do no harm"
Nonsense. Take the waist and begin
on that"
"But it is quite finished, and any extra
stitching would spoil this delicate cream
colored silk"
"Give it to me-" said the lady, taking
up her scissors and deliberately cutting
the waist up the back"
Nov sew me up this" she cried. |
took it and as carefully as could ran the
machine, sewing up an ugly cash, but,
of course, the waist was spoiled. ''Now
l will try" and she sat down, and under
was wonderfully clever with her fingers,
and seemed to seize the peculiarities of
the machine at once"
:" At this rate of progress, madam,
you would become quite a good work
woman in ten days." l said, approx
ingly.
She made no reply, but worked away
| for another half hour, crossing and re-
crossing the body with stitches at is
not so tiresome after all, :" she said, ''but
have had enough for to-day. To-mor-
row l will call and you will then take
the machine to pieces and show me how
it must be put together again. You will
oblige me very particularly by not going
out to-day. I have to thank you for
your patience. Keep my visit silent. l
hope you have learned that in Russia it
is better to keep quiet tongue. Do not
return to the shop. Pray take this for
my first lesson" and she placed on the
machine table piece of gold.
g am very much overpaid," [ said.
Where are you fromP' English or
Americana
American, from New Hampshire. "
L" New Hampshire! Where is that?n
/" One of the New England States"
II never heard of it. You are good
Republican, 1 suppose?"
hope So"
well, adieu." felt very much in
clined to kiss her. She looked cold and
naughty, but my heart was SO full of
thankfulness that, overcoming somewhat
the awe felt, l ventured to take her
hand in mine and put it to my lips. She
did not withdraw it. 'Poor child" she
said; you do not look more than
twenty, and, at your age, to be in such
trouble! This must be hard experience
for you. Good-by, and until to morrow"
She gazed at me steadfastly, as if she
would look me through, and then, bow
ing, left me.
did not, would not, allow myself to
be disheartened. | sat down and wrote
two letterS-one to my mother at Am
herst, the other to a Sewing Machine
Company in New York. explained my
pitiful condition.
Next morning early there was low
knock at my door. | opened it and
woman plainly dressed entered. She
did not say a word. She placed bum
die she held in her hand in chair and
at once went to the machine, took up the
bodice and commenced sewing.
You will kindly forget the lady of
yesterday and know me as Elise simply,
or rather, as Elise is French, we will say
Eliza. want to learn your trade. 1t
is whim of mine. Do you think that in
month could earn my bread this way ?
L offer you partnership. / can find the
funds. The contents of the shop will
probably be sold out and you will be able
to buy one of the machines for me. Now,
will you take this one apart?'
| had not a word to say. brought a
wrench, screw-driver, an oil-can, and
unloosened the working parts of the
machine. She took the oil-can, and
bent over the machine, studying it. l
noticed that she touched with her white
fingers all the grimy parts, until her
hands were soiled.
at is by no means as complicated as
a revolver" she said.
made no comment as put the work
ing parts together. She was very silent,
working necessarily upon some coarse
material she had brought with her.
sat near her, teaching her what to do.
She worked on until past noon. lis it
not time to eat something's"
sit isl Ireplied; would madam par
take of my simple meal?''
MADAM! l am Eliza-and YOU say
your name is Mary. Mary, shall be
very glad to share your food with you,
if you will let me. If you have not
enough for two-I will 90 out and buy
what is wanted. What shall it be? /
dare say can shop better than YOU.
Will you lend me your shawl, your furs
and your overshoes?''
Before 1 could say a word she had
them all on. Then she laughed for the
first time and courtesied to me. ''Sister
Mary, Sister Mary" she cried. in great
glee, our partnership begins from to-
day. am to be capital and you brains.
Little sister, good-by. l shall not be
gone more than quarter of an hour
| was so astonished as to be speechless.
In trice she was back, loaded down
with packages She had loaf of bread,
a piece of cheese, a pot of preserves. a
breast of smoked goose, some sailed Gu
cumbers. Il have samovar, but it was
too heavy for me to carry. The man |
bought it of will bring ii here at once.
1t is a secondhand, but as good as new.
L see you have teapot Ny only two
extravagances were some good soap and
a pound of the best tea. Come, let us
eat. Il can arrange anything. l am to
wait on you"
Then came the man With the copper
urn and charcoal. and she made the tire
and prepared the meal. 1--WE don't
drink tea ont Of ctInS Iybop ,.,a l,olo,,o. D.