Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-10-30
ANNAPOLIS, MD, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 80. 1891.
ELIZA THE NIHTLTST.
THE STORY OF A DRESsMAKER's ADvEN-
TURE IN RUSSIA.

4
placed in such a pitiable condition. Ihad
been brought TO Russia by an English
sewing machine company to run their
machines at an agency of theirs in -
street, in st. Petersburg, where a hand
some 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 ma
chimes had been seized for rent and debts.
What was to be doneS All the money
had in the world was about equivalent TO
e3. What was due to me / had left in our
agents hands, and felt sure it was lost.
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 suddenly
struck me. l had been making an even
ing dress on the machine for a Russian
lady who spoke English.
She had some idea of buying a ma
chine. In order to hasten with the work
had taken to my room the body of her
dress, and, having a machine there, had
sewed at it of nights. That machine /
would certainly keep. 1t would go very
little toward the payment of the debt the
agent owed me.
/ hurried home. Perhaps there was
letter with some money in il. There was
nothing. / must find the lady. but how?
She had left no address. She had hardly
spoken TO me. / Thought had heard her
say that she would come again. and |
believed that she had fixed on this very
day. There was but one chance in a
thousand. must stand in the street and
wait until she appeared.
! hastened back and took up my posi-
ton near the shop. / scanned every
woman passing by. 1t was bitterly cold
and raw, and the wind chilled me; was
faint with anxiety. Suddenly carriage
drove up, footman opened the door, and
a lady, elegantly dressed, alighted
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 servant, would
she only try me? / had a sewing ma
chine, and would make her dresses for
nothing, if I could only stop with her
until could write to my people at home;
they would send me money and could
get back to England
"Where do you liver" she inquired alb
ruptly.
told her.
"Get into the carriage, she said
i did So When we were off the main
street she stopped the carriage, got out
with me, and we walked to my lodgings.
iopeaed the door, On the table was her
dress body. 1t did not seem to interest
her. She picked it up, however, glanced
at il moment, then threw it down ON a
chair and examined the sewing ma
chine.
"How long would it take me to be-
come proficient in working tbis?" she in
quired, as she sat down before the ma
chine and tried the pedals.
"Two weeks-perhaps less.
"Would it dsfigure my hands?"
She took off her gloves, showed her
well cared for hands, her fingers glitter
ing with rings.
"Your beautiful hands would hardly
be spoiled" I"
"Well, then. give me lesson at once
at once. / will pay you for your
trouble.
She sat down, and under my instruc-
ton worked for an hour. She was won
derfully clever with her fingers and
seemed TO seize the peculiarities of the
machine at once.
AT this rate of progress, madam, you
would become quite good workwoman
in 10 days, / said approvingly.
She made no reply but worked away
for another half hour.
"Its not so tiresome, after ALL" she
said, "but have had enough for to-day.
Tomorrow 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. 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.
Next morning early there was low
knock at my door. / opened it and
woman plainly dressed entered. She did
not say word. She placed bundle she
held in her hand in chair, and at once
went to the machine and commenced
sewing.
She was very silent, working inces-
sanity on some coarse material she had
brought with her. 1 sat near her, teach
ing her what to do. She worked on
until it was past noon.
as it not time now to eat something? 2"
at is, /" I replied. will madam par
take of my simple meal?"
"Madami am Eliza-and you say
your name is Mary. Mary, shall be
very glad to share your food with you, if
you will LET me. If you have not enough
for two, win go out and buy what is
wanted. What shall it be? I dare say
| can shop better than you. Will you
lend me your shawl, your furs, and your
overshoes. =
Before | could say a 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