Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-03-14

row will call and you will then take the
machine to pieces and show me how il
must be put together again. You will
oblige me very particularly by not 60
ing out to-day. I have to thank you fol
your patience. Keep my visit silent,
| hope You have learned that in Russis
it is better to keep q quiet tongue. Dc
not return to the shop. Take this fo1
my first lesson" and she placed on the
machine table piece of gold.
am very much overpaid," I said.
"Where are you from? English OF
American
"American, from New Hampshire"
"New Hampshire! Where is that 2
some of the New England States"
II never heard of it. You are gooo
republican, I suppose ?"
II hope So"
swell, adieu." felt very much in
clined to kiss her. She looked cold and
naughty. but my heart was so full o.
thankfulness that, overcoming somewhat
the awe I felt, I ventured to take he,
hand in mine and put it to my lips. She
did not withdraw it. "Poor child" she
said; "you do not look more than 20,
and, at your age, TO be in such trouble!
This must be a hard expe rience for you.
Good, bye, and until Tomorrow" She
gaZed Mt me steadfastly, as if she would
look me through, and then, bowling, left
me.
l did not, would not, allow myself to
be disheartened. I sat down and wrote
two ]etters-one to my mother. at Am.
herst, the other to eewing-machine
company in New York. l explained my
pitiful condition.
Next morning early there was knock
at my door. l opened it, and woman
plainly dressed entered. She did not say
word. She placed hurdle she held
in her hand on 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. l want to learn your trade. Ii
is whim of mine. Do you think that
i'll mouth 1 could earn my bread this
way? 1 offer you a partnership. I 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?'
l had not word to say. drought a
wrench, screw-driver, an oil can, and
unlooseued the working parts of the ma
cbine. Sue took the oil can and bent
over rhe machine, studying it. noticed
that she touched with ner white fingers
al tue grimy parts, until her hands were
soiled.
cit is by no means as complicated as
revolver, she SAID.
l made no comment as I put the work.
ing parts toge' her. Sac was very silent,
working necessarily on some coarse ma
terial she had brought with her. I sat
near her-teachiug her what to do. She
wo, ked on Ill til it was past noon. els
1t not time now to eat something ?"
1t ISL I replied, "would madam
partake of my simple meal p
Madam! I am Eliza-and you say
your name is Mary. Mary, 1 shall be
very GLAD to share your food with you, if
you will let me. 1t you have not enous Oh
for two-I will go out and buy what is
wanted. What shall it be? I dare say
I can shop better than you. Will you
lend me your shawl, your furs, and your
overshoes?"
Before l conla say word she had
them all Oh. Then she laughed for the
first time and curtsied to me. "Sister
Mary, sister Mary" she cried in great
glee, "our copartnership begins from to-
day. l am to be capital and you brains.
Little sister goodbye. I shall not be
gone more than quarter OF al hour"
[ was SO astonished as to be speechless.
In trice she was back; loaded down
with packages. She had a loaf OF
bread, piece of cheese, q pot of pre-
serves, a breast of smoked goose, some
sailed cucumbers. II have a samovar,
but it was too heavy for me to carry.
The man bought it of will bring it here
at once. 1t is a secondhand, but as
good as new. l see you have teapot.
My only two extravagances were some
good soap and pound of the best tea.
Come let us eat. I can arrange any
thing. l am to wait on you"
Then up came the man with the cop
per urn and charcoal and she made the
Ere and prepared the meal. "We don't
drink tea out OF cups when we belong to
the people, and we are Of the people,
but swallow it IN tumblers." Though
1 sat down at the little table with her I
ate sparingly, was so much confused.
"Before l conclude my first days les
SOD, sister Mary, let me ask you some.
thing. Did you ever cad the arabian
Nights {? It is a book l suppose all the
world has read"
LIT ia quite we'll known in the United
States. All children read it and 'Rob-
inson Crusoc.'"
$50 I thought"
"You want me to remember Alad-
5in?"
"No, not at all. The story I wish
you to think about is not half as pleas
ant. 1t is about Sindbad the sailor
and the old man ape he could not get
rid of. You are the sailor, sister Mary,
and l am the old man ape," aud she
made so comical grimace thatI could
not help smiling.
II assure you that is my character,
and you never will get rid of me until
you break my. head. Sister Mary, will
you share your supper with me, your
bed With me tonight, your breakfast
with me tomorrow; not for that day,
but for the next day, and the day after
that?" She said this very quietly, as
she took my hard iu hers. l was at
loss how to reply. "We are to work to-
gether for cur hving-onlv,:: lister
Mary, make me proficient. will be so
dilieent.'
''But. Madam"
"NO-Sister Eliza"
"Slster Eizs, bow is it possible that
a lady OF means, whose acquaintance l
made but yesterday, who awed me
with her grand manners, her car
riage. should wish to become sewing
"Ask me no questions. This, how.
ever, I promise you. The story of the
old man ape is partially true, but there
is limit to your endurance. In month
from now, I swear to you, your passage
home shall be paid you, and, besides
that, there will be given you handsome
sum for you to start life with in your
country; only, for Gods sake, remember
that just as you threw yourself on my
mercy I now throw myself on yours. I
believe YOU have character and cOnrape