Evening journal., 1891-06-20
ELIZA THE NIHILIST.

/
been brought to Russia by an English sew
ing machine company to run their ma
chimes at an agency Of theirs in - street,
in St. Petersburg. where a handsome shop
had been taken
One clustering 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
1 had all been seized for rent and debts.
| What was 10 be done2 All the money !
| had in the world was about equivalent to
three pounds. What was due TO me had
left in our agents hands, and felt sure II
was lost.
Fortunately my room had been hired for
the month, and had been paid for In ad
vance. had at least roof over my head
for a few weeks An idea suddenly struck
me. had been making an evening dress
on the machine for a Russian lady who
spoke English. She had some idea Of buy.
ing a machine. In order 70 hasten with
the work had taken 70 my room the body
Of her dress, and having a machine there
had sewed at il Of nights. That machine
! would certainly keep. Il would go very
little toward the payment Of the debt the
agent owed me-
] hurried home. Perhaps there was a
letter with some money in IT, There was
nothing. ! must find the lady, but hows
She had left no address She had hardly
spoken TO me. ] thought l had heard her
say that she would come again, aud be.
lieved she had fixed on this very day
There was but one chance in thousand.
must stand ip the street and wait until
she appeared. ] FASTENED back, and took
up my position near the shop. | scanned
every woman passing by. Il was bitterly
cold and raw, and the wind chilled me;
was faint with anxiety. Suddenly a car
riage drove up, a footman opened the door,
and lady, elegantly dressed, aighted.
tore across the street--it was the Russian
lady.
With my heart IN nay mouth, told her
my pitiful story and begged her to help
me. II she wanted servant, would she
only try me? | had a sewing machine,
and would make her dresses for nothing IL
/ could only stay with her until could
write 10 my people at home; they would
send me money aud I could get back to
England.
'And my dress-am ! 10 lose iti" the
lady asked impatiently.
Not all Of it. The skirt Is IN the shop;
the body Is In my room. almost finished"
lt seemed to me dreadful that in my
agony she should talk about her dress.
Where DO you liver" she inquired
abruptly.
told her.
'Get into the carriage" she said
did so. When we were off the main
street she stopped the carriage, got out
with me, and we walked TO my lodgings
| opened the door. On the table was her
dress body. 1t did not Seem to interest
her. She picked it up, however, glanced
at it a moment, then threw il down on
chair and examined the sewing machine.
"How long would it take me ~ become
| proficient in working thisfn she inquired,
as she sat down before the machine and
tried the pedals.
1.-TWO weeks-perhaps less"
would it disiigure my handsw
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.n
She sat down, and under my instruction
worked for an hour. She was wonderfully
clever with her fingers, and seemed to
once.
AT this rate Of progress, madam, YOU
would become quite good workwoman in
ten days" l said approvingly.
She made no reply, but worked away for
| another half hour
| 1T Is not so tiresome, after all,n she
said, "but | have had enough for today.
Tomorrow | will call. and you will then
, take the machine to pieces, and show me
how Il must be put together again. You
win oblige me very particularly by not go.
ing out today. have 20 thank you for
your patience. Keep my visit silent.
hope you have learned that in Russia Il is
better to keep quiet tongue. Do not no
turn 20 the shop. Pray take this for my
first lesson" and she placed on the ma
chine table piece OF gold
| felt very much inclined to kiss her
She looked cold and naughty, but my heart
was SO full Of thankfulness that, overcom
ing somewhat the awe l felt, | ventured q
take her hand in mine and put it 70 my
lips. She did not withdraw it.
Poor child, she said; you do not looi
more than twenty. and at your age TO b
In such troubled This must be hard ex
perience for you. Goodby until tomor
row." She gazed at me steadfastly, as /
she would look me through. and then bow
ing left me.
Next morning early there was lov
knock at my door. / opened IL, and
. woman plainly dressed entered. She di
not say a word. She placed bundle sh
held in her hand in a chair, and at ono
went T. the machine and commenced sew
I ing.
"You will kindly forget the lady Of yes
. terday. and know me as Elise simply, @
T rather, as Elise is French, we will sa
e Eliza. want to learn your trade. It Is
whim Of mine. Do you think that ia
month | could earn my bread this way2
offer you a partnership. | can find th
! funds. The contents Of the shop will prol
p ably be sold out, and you will be able [
G buy one Of the machines for me. Now. wi
!. you take this one aparts"
e l had not word TO say. I brought
: wrench. a screw driver, an oil can, an
+ loosened the working parts OF the machin
+ She took the oil can and bent over Il
machine. studying il. / noticed that 81
touched with her white fingers all Il
Grimy parts, until her hands were soiled.
$ 1T is by no means so complicated as
\ revolver she said
made no comment rs put the workin
= parts together She was very silent, worl
b ing incessantly on some coarse materi
she had brought with her. sat near h'
teaching her what to do. She workg
on until it was past noon.
!. "Is it not time now 20 eat something'"
1T is" / replied. ''Will madam pa
take Of my simple meslf'
"Madaml lam Eliza-and you say yol