Connecticut western news., 1883-03-07
A RUSSIAN SEWING WOMAN

What was I to do? Never was a woman placed in such pitiable condi- tion. I had been brought to Russia by 8 New England sewing machine company to run their machines at an agency of theirs in - street in St. Petersburg, where a 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 rents and debts. What was to be done? All the money I had in the world was about equivalent to $12. What was due me I had left in our agents hands, and felt.sure it was lost.
 thought of everything in the 25 min- utes which had 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. I had at least a roof over my head for few weeks. An idea suddenly struck me. I had 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 I had taken to my room the body of her dress, and, having machine there, had sewed on it of nights. That machine I would certainly keep; it would go very little toward the payment of the debt the agent owed me.
 I hurried home. Perhaps there was a letter with some money in. There was nothing. I 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 believed she had fixed on this very day. There was but one chance ill a thousand. I must stand in the street and wait until she appeared.
 hastened back and took up my posi- tion near the shop. I scanned every woman passing by. It was bitterly cold and raw, and the wind chilled me. was faint with anxiety. Had I only known more of the language would have asked policeman to take me to the American Consul, to the Minister. I was in de. spair. Suddenly carriage drove up, g footman opened the door, and a lady elegantly dressed alighted. I tore across the street; it was the Russian lady With my heart in my mouth, I told he1 my pitiful story and begged her to hell me. If she wanted servant, would she only try me I had sewing machine and would make her dresses for nothine if l could only stay with her until I could write to my people at home; they would send me money, and I could get back t, the United States.
 She looked steadfastly at me, thel opened her porte
 No, no, said, "I want no money l cannot beg. am not yet so poor a to ask aims. But do you not remembe me? The store is closed. The man wh kept 1t has run away. I showed yo the way the machine was worked"
 Then she scanned me quickly; nex cross-questioned me sharply.
 "Where do you live ?" she inquire abruptly. I told her. "Get into tn carriage" she said. I did so. When " were of the main street she stopped tn carriage, got out with me, and we wake to my lodgings. I opened the door. O the table was her basque. It did nc seem to interest her. She picked it ur however, glanced at it a moment. the threw 1t down. She examined tb sewing machine.
 s'How long would it take me to becom proficient in working this ?'' she inquire as she sat down before the machine an tried the pedals. !" Is it fatiguing?"
 ''No, Madam. Oh, would you bu it?"
 How long did you say it would tai me to become profcient?'
 "Two weeks-perhaps less."
 Would it disfigure my hands p Sl took of her gloves, showed her we cared-for hands, her fingers glitterir with rings.
 Your beautiful hands would hard be spoiled"
 Well, then, give me a lesson once-at once. will pay you for yo trouble"
 I expressed my gratitude with almo tears in my eyes. 1T have no mater here-but anything will do, said, as