Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-04-11
A Russian Sewing Woman.

sewing machine company to run their
machines at an agency of theirs in
street in st. Petersburg. where hand
some shop had been rented. One blustery
cold day toward the close of October !
tound the shop door closed, and learned TO
my dismay that our agent had disappeared
md the machines had all been seized for
rents and debts. What was 10 be donep ?
All the money / had in the world was
about equivalent to $l2 What was due
me l had left in our agents hands, and
felt sure it was lost.
l thought of everything in the twenty
five minutes which had elapsed be ween
my heart breaking when l 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. had at least roof over
my head for few weeks. An idea sud.
denly struck me. had been making an
evening dress on the machine for Rus.
sian lady who spoke English. She had
some idea of buying machine. In order
to expedite the work | had taken TO my
re ON the body of her dress, and, having a
machine there, had sewed on it of nights.
That machine would certainly keep; it
would 60 very little toward the payment
of the debt the agent owed me.
/ hurried home. Perhaps there was n
letter with some money in. There was
nothing. l must find the lady-bat how
She had left no address. She had hardly
spoken to me. thought heard her say she
would come again, and believed she had
fixed on this very day. There was but
one chance in thousand. l must stand
in the street and wait until she appeared.
I fastened back and took up my position
near the shop. scanned every woman
passing by. 1t was bitterly cold and raw,
and the winds chilled me. was faint
with anxiety. Had l only known more Of
the language l would have asked the
policeman to take me to the American
consul, to the minister. was in despair.
Suddenly carriage drove up, foolman
opened the door, and a lady elegantly
dressed aliehted. | tore across the street ;
it was the Russian lady. With my heart
in my mouth, told her my pitiful story
and begged her to help me. II she wanted
a servant, would she only try meP had
a sewing machine and would make
her dresses for nothing if could only
stay with her until l could write to my
people at home; they would send me
money, and could get back to the United
States.
She looked steadfastly at me, then open
ed her porte -monnaie.
No, no, I said, l want no money. I
cannot beg. am not yet so poor as to
ask aims. But do you not remember mel
The store is closed. The man who kept
it has run away. l showed you the way
the machine was worked.
Then she scanned me quickly; next
ross-questioned me sharply.
Where do you live? she inquired
abrue lily. l told her. Get into the car.
riage. she said. did so. When we were
off the main street she stopped the carriage,
got out with me, and we walked 10 my
lodging. l opened the oor. On the table
was her basque. 1t did not seem TO inter.
est her She picked it up, however,
glanced at it n moment, then threw it
down. She examined the sewing machine.
How long would it take me to become
proficient in working thisp She inquired
rs she sat down before the machine and
tried the pedals. Is it fatigueing?
No, Madam. Oh, would you buy itp
How long did you say it would take me
to become proficient
Two weeks-perhaps less.
Would it d!s6gure my handsp She took
off her gloves, showed her well-cared for
hands, her fingers glittering with rings.
Your beautiful hands would hardly be
spoiled.
Well, then, give me lesson at once
at once. will pay you for your trouble.
l expressed my gratitude with almost
tears in my eyes. have no material here
but anything will do, said, as opened
my trunk and took out an apron. 1 will
run tuck across the bottom-it will do
no harm.
Nonsense. Take the waist and begin on
that
But it is quite finished, and my extra
stitching would spoil this delicate cream
colored silk.
Give it to me, said the lady, taking up
the scissors and deliberately cutting the
waist up the back.
Now sew me up this, she cried. l took
it and as carefully as l could ran the
machine, sewing up an ugly cash, but Of
course, the waist was spoiled. Now viii
try, and she sat down and under my
instruction worked for an hour. She was
wonderfully clever with her fingers, aud
seemed to seize the peculiarities of the
machine at once.
At this rate of progress, Madam, you
would become quite a good workman in
ten days, said approvingly.
She raHa M rpnlv hut WOrkaA qwaU
for another half hour, crossing and re.
crossing the body with stitches. 1t is no,
so tiresome after all, she said. Tomorrow
1 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. l have to thank you for your
patience. Keep my visit silent. hope
you have learned that in Russia it is better
to keep quiet tongue. Do not return 10
the shop. Pray take this for my first
lesson, and she placed on the machine
table piece of gold.
am very much overpaid, I said.
Where are you fromP English or Am
ericanp
American, from New Hampshire.
One of the New England states.
never heard of it. You are a gooC
republican, l supposee
hope SO.
Well, adieu. felt very much inclined
to kiss her. She looked cold and naughty,
but my heart was so full of thankfulnes.
that, overcoming somewhat the awe felt
l ventured to take her hand in mine ano
put it to my lips. She did not withdraw
it. Poor child, she said.
Next morning early there was low
knock at my door. opened it, and s
woman plainly dressed entered. She die
not say word. She placed bundle she
held in her hand in a chair, and at once
went to the machine. took up the bodice
and commenced sewing.
You will kindly forget the lady of yes
terday, and know me as Elise simply, OF
rather, as Elise is French, we will say
Eliza. want to learn your trade. II i
a whim of mine. Do you think that in q
month could earn my bread this way
| offer you partnership. l can find the
funds. The contents of the shop will
probably be sold out. and you will be abb,
to buy one of the machines for me. Now
will YOU take this one a partp