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

What was to do? Never was q
woman placed in such pitiable condi-
ton. [ had been brought to Russia by q
New England Sewing Machine Company
to run their machines at an agency OF
theirs in - street, in st. Petersburg,
where handsome shop had been rented.
One blustery cold day toward the close
of October found the shop door closed,
and learned to my dismay that our agent
had disappeared and the machines had
all been seized for rent and debts. What
was to be done? All the money l had
in the world was about equivalent to
twelve dollars. What was due me [ had
left in our agents hands, and felt sure
it was lost. l thought of everything in
the twenty-five minutes which elapsed
between my heart breaking when found
the shop door closed and my rapid walk
to my lodgings. Fortunately my room
had been hired for the month, and had
been paid for in advance. l had at least
a roof over my head for few weeks.
Anidea suddenly struck me. Ihad been
making an evening dress on the machine
for Russian lady who spoke English,
She had some idea of buying machine.
In order to expedite the work | had
taken to my room the body of her dress,
and, having machine there, had sewed
on it of nights. That machine l would
certainly keep; it would go very little
toward the payment of the debt the
agent owed me. hurried home. Per-
haps there was letter with some money
in it. There was nothing. 1 must find
the lady-but how? She had left no
address. She had hardly spoken to me.
Thought heard her say that she would
come again, and l believe she had fixed
on this very day. There was but one
chance N thousand. must stand in
the street and wait until she appeared.
fastened back and took up my posi-
tion near the shop. scanned every
woman passing by. 1t was bitterly cold
and raw, and the wind chilled me. !
was faint with anxiety. Had | only
known more of the language l would
have asked a policeman to take me to
the American Consul, to the Minister.
was in despair. Suddenly carriage
drove up, footman opened the door,
and a lady elegantly dressed alighted.
[ tore across the street: it was the Russian
lady. With my heart in my mouth l
told her my pitiful story and begged her
to help me. If she wanted servant;
would she try me? l had a sewing
machine, and | would make her dresses
for nothing if could stay with her until
could write TO my people at home:
they would send me money and could
get back to the United States. My words
must have had but little sense in them,
l was so broken hearted, for at first she
hardly seemed to understand me.
81 was without friend in the world
here-a poor American woman, thou
sands of miles from her home"
She looked steadily at me, then opened
her porte monnae.
''No, no." / said 81 want no money
I can not beg. was not yet so poor az
to ask aims. But do you not remembel
me? The store is closed. The man whC
kept it has run away. showed you thu
way the machine was worked"
Then she scanned me quickly; mex
cross questioned me sharply.
''How could q young girl trust her
self alone in this strange country?'' sh,
asked. -..
Il am not alone. Two other young
women came from the United States will
me. Two weeks ago they were sen
home, and the miserable man in charg,
induced me to stay, promising to giv'
me money enough at the end of mex
month for my trip home to the United
States. Might not the police look VI
the matter. l have been outrageousll
swindled."
1.-The policep and my dress-am t,
lose it?'' the lady asked, impatiently.
''Not all oft. The skirt is in the shop
the body, the waist, is in my room, al
most finished" Itseemed to me dread
full that in my agony she should tall
about her dress.
Where do you live?" she inquired
abruptly. l told her. "Get into tn
carriage" she said. l did so. Whel
we were off the main track she stoppe,
the carriage, got out with me, and W.
walked to my lodgings. | opened tn
door. On the table was her basque. |
did not seem to interest her. She pickle,
it up, however, glanced at it moment
then threw it down. She examined tn
sewing
''How long would it take me to becom
proficient in working this?" she inquired
as she sat down before the machine an,
tried the pedals. as it fatiguing?"
''No, madam. 0, would you buy it
Ii is mine by rights. The money for
might help me to leave St Petersburg.
Chow long did you say it would tax
me to become profcientP''
1.-TWO weeks-perhaps less.''
''Would it dis6gure my handsP" Sh
took off her gloves, showed her well
cared-for hands, her fingers glitterin
with rings.
"Your beautiful hands would hardl
be spoiled"