The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-15
" ELIZA"
A STRANGE STORY.

What was to do? Never was a woman
placed ia such a pitiable condition. l had
been brought to Russia by an English
sewing-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 had all
been seized for rent aud debts.
What was to be done?
All the money 1 had in the world was
about equivalent to s. What was due to
me had left in our agents hands, aud l
felt sure it was lost. | thought Of every
thing in the twenty-five minutes which
elapsed between 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 ad-
vance had at least roof over my head
for few weeks. An idea suddenly struck
me- l 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 to hasten the work
l had taken to my room the body of her
dress and having a machine there had sewed
at it of nights. That machine would GER
tainly keep. 1t 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 1t. There was
nothing. | must find the lady. but how?
She had left no address. She had hardly
spoken to me. | thought l had heard her
say she would come again, and believed
she aG fixed on this very day. There was
but one chance in thousand. | must stand
on the street and wait until she appeared.
fastened back and took up my position
near the shop. | scanned every woman
passing by. 1t was bitterly cold ard raw
and the wind chilled me. | was faint with
anxiety Suddenly carriage drove up,
fOotman opene1 the door and a lady, ele-
gantly dressed, aIighted. l tore across the
Street-it was the Russian lady.
With my heart in my mouth, told her
my pttlful story and begged her to help me.
II she wanted a servant would she only try
me? l had a sewing machine. and would
make her dresses for nothing ii | could only
stay with her until | could write to my peO-
pie at home; they would send me money
and | could get back to England.
And my dr6ss-am l to lose it?" the lady
asked impatiently.
Not all of it. The skirt is in the shop;
the body is in my room, almost flushed.
L
agony she should talk about her dress.
"Where do you lye| she inquired abb
ruptly.
/ 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. l opened the
door. On the table was her dress body. 1t
did not seem to interest her. She ricsed it
uD, however, glanced at it a moment. then
threw 1t down on chair and examined the
sewing machine.
"How long would 1t take ME to become
proficient in working this? ?" she inquired,
as she sat down before the machine and
tried the pedals.
Two weekS-perhaps less"
Would il dshgure my hands 2"
She took off her gloves, showed her
well-cared-for hands, her fingers glttering
with rings.
Your beautiful hands would hardly be
spoiled"
We'll, then, give me lesson at once-at
once. l viii pay you for your trouble"
She sat down. and under my instruction
worked for an hour. She was wonderfully
clever with her fingers. and seemed to
seize the peculiaritles Of the ma chine at
once.
AT this rate of progress. madam, you
would become quite a good work woman in
ten days, l said aDprOVlngIy.
She made no reply, but worked away for
another half-hOur.
1T is not so tiresOme, after ALL" she
said, but l have had enough for to-day.
Tomorrow | Will call, and then YOU will
take the machine 20 pieces, and sh wv
me how it must be put together again. You
will Obge me very particularly by not
going out to-day. | 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 to the
shop. Pray take this for my first lesson"
and she placed on the machine table piece
of gold.
felt very much inclined to kiss her. She
looked cold and naughty, but my heart was
so full of thanklulness that overcoming
somewhat the awe | felt, | ventuTed to take
her 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! TINS must be a hard experience
for you. Good-Dy until tomorrow"
She gazed at me steadfastly, as If she
would look me through, and then bowling,
left me.
Next morning early there was low knock
at my door. l opened it, and a woman
plainly dressed entered. She did not say
word She placed a bundle she held in her
hand in a chair, and at once went TO the
machine and commenced sewing.
You will kindly forget the lady of YES
terday. and know me as Elise simply, or
rather, as Elise is French, we will say Eliza.
[ want to learn your trade. 1t is a within of
mine. Do you think that in a month |
could earn my bread this way? | offer YOU
a partnership. / 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?
/ had ot fN
wrench, a w-driver, an Oil-can, and
lOOsened the working parts of the machine.
She took the Oii-can, and bent over the
machine, studying it, l noticed that she
touched with her white fingers all the grimy
parts, until her hands were sOiled.
ut Is by no means so complicated as a
revolver" she said
| made no comment as | put the working
parts together. She was very silent, work
ing necessarily on some coarse material he
had brought with her. sat near her
teaching her what to do. She worked on
until 1t was past noon.
us it not time now to eat something Pr
ut is" | replied; "will madam partake
of my simple meal?"
'Madami l am Eliza-and you saw YOUR
name is Mary. Mary. / shall be very glad
to share your food with you, if you will let
me. II you have not enough for TIVE. l will
20 out and buy what is wanted. What shall
il be? l dare say l can shop better than
you. Will you lend me your shawl, your
furs and your overshoes?"
Before | could say word she had them
all on. Then she laughed for the first time
and cOurtesied to me.
"Sister Mary, Sister Mary" she cried In
great glee, ''Our cOpartnership begins from
to-day. am to be capital and you brains.
Little sister, good-by. | shall not be gone
more than quarter of an hour"
/ was so astonshed as to be speeches..
In q trice she was back, loaded down with
packages. She had a loaf Of bread, piece
of cheese, pot of preserves, breast of
smoked goose and some sailed cucumbers.
II got samovar, but it was too heavy for
me 70 carry. The man / bought IL of will
bring it here at once. 1t is secondhand,
but as good as new. | see you have a tea
pot. My only two extravagances were
some good soap and pound oil the best tea
Come, let us eat. l can arrange anything.