The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-11-28
ELIZA THE NIHILIST.

chimes at an agency of theirs in - street.
in st. Petersburg, where 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 and debts.
What was to be dones 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 it
was lost.
Fortunately my room had been hired for
the month, and had been paid for in adj
vance. ] had at least roof over my head
for 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 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.
i hurried home. Perhaps there was a
letter with some money in it, 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 be.
lieved she had fixed on this very day
There was but one chance in thousand
| must stand in 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 and raw, and the wind chilled me;
c..s. i
riage drove up, fOotman opened the door,
and 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. If she wanted servant, would she
only try mes | had sewing machine,
and would make her dresses for nothing if
/ could only stay with her until could
write TO my people at home; they would
send me money and | could get back to
England.
And my dress-am / TO lose it?" the
lady asked impatiently.
mot all of it, The skirt is in the chop;
the body is in my room. almost finished"
1t 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 it down on a
chair and examined the sewing machine.
How long would it take me to become
proficient in working thiss" she inquired
as she sat down before the machine and
tried the pedals.
1.-Two weeks-perhaps less"
Would it disfgure my hands?"
She took off her gloves. showed her vel
cared for hands, her fingers glittering Will
rings.
your beautiful hands would hardly b,
spoiled"
"Well, then give me a lesson at once-a
once will pay you for your trouble"
She sat down, and under my instruction
worked for an hour She was wonderful,
clever with her fingers, and seemed I,
seize the peculiarities Of the machine a
once.
AT this rate of progress, madam, yol
would become quite good workwoman il
ten days" said approvingly.
She madeno reply but worked away 70
another half hour.
at is not so tiresome, after ALL" sh
said, "but have had enough for today
Tomorrow will call, and you will the
take the machine TO pieces and show m
how it must be put together again Yo
will oblige me very particularly by not &C
ing out today | have to thank you 70
your patience Keep my visit silent.
hope you have learned that in Russia it
better to keep quiet tongue. Do not r.
} turn to the shop. Pray take this for m
first lesson" and she placed on the ma
chine table piece of gold.
felt very much inclined to kiss hel
She looked cold and naughty, but my hear
was so full of thankfulness that, overcon
ing somewhat the awe felt, ventured
take her hand in mine and put it to m
lips. She did not withdraw it.
i Poor child, " she said; you do not loo
more than twenty, and at your age To
in such troubled This must be hard e.
: perience for you. Goodby until tomo
row" She gazed at me steadfastly, AS
she would look me through, and then bov
ing left me
Next morning early there was 10
. hhoOh ~ my uuof. OpShtu - an
woman plainly dressed entered. She di
not say a word She placed a bundle 81
held in her hand in a chair, and at ono
Il went t. the machine and commenced seV
ing.
you win kindly forget the lady Of We
terday, and know me as Elise simply,
rather, as Elise is French, we will 81
Eliza. | want TO learu your trade. 1t IS
% within of nine Do lou think that in
month | could earn my bread this wayl
offer you a partnership. | can find Il
funds. The contents of the shop will pro