Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-06-27
ELIZA THE NIHILIST.

ma, was 10 uOf Never was woman
placed II such pitiabe condition. | had
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 handsome shor
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 done? All the money
mad In the world was about equivalent to
three pounds. What was due to me had
left in our agents hands, and felt sure il
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
Ior Few weeks. An idea suddenly struck
me had been making an evening dress
oh ohe machine Tor Russian lady who
spoke English. She had some idea of buy
Ing machine. In order to hasten with
tne work had taken to my room the body
OF her dress, and having a machine there
nad sewed at 1t of nights. That machine
would certainly keep. 1t would 90 very
agent owed me.
i hurried home. Perhaps tbere vvas q
letter with some money in it. There was
nothing. | must find the lady. bnt bowS
She had left no address. She had hardly
spoken to me- | thought | had heard her
say that she would come again. and I he
heved she had fixed on this very dav
There was but one chance in a 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: /
was faint with anxiety. Suddenly car
rage drove up, footman opened the door
ana a lady, elegantly dressed, alighted II
tore across the street-it was the Russian
lady. ''''''N
with my heart in my mouth, | told her
my pitlful story and begged her to helm
me. III she wanted servant, would sbe
only try me5 | had sewing machine.
and would make her dresses for nothing II
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 itY" the
lady asked impatiently.
Not all of it, The skirt is in the shon. |
the body is in my room, almost finished"
IL seemed to me dreadful that in NV
agony she should talk about her dress.
Where do you liver" she inquired
abruptly.
l told her.
Get into the carriage" she said,
L 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. IL did not seem to interest
her She picked it up, however, glanced
At 1t moment, then threw it down on a
chair and examined the sewing machine.
How long would it take me to become
proficient in working thisY" she inquired,
As she sat down before the machine and
tried the pedals
Two weeks-perhaps less"
would it disdgure my hands2n
she took of her gloves, showed her well
AIRED Tor hands, her fingers glittering with
-ings
Your beautiful hands would hardly be
spoiled"
well, then give me lesson at once-at
'noe. will pay you for your trouble"
She sat down, and under my instruction
lever with her fingers, and seemed to
eize the peculiarities of the machine at
nee.
AT this rate Of progress, madam. Won
would become quite good workwoman in
en- days" | said approyingly.
She made no reply, but worked away Cor
mother half hour
ut is not so tiresome, after all ~ she
aid, but | have had enough for today.
tomorrow | will call, and you will then
axe the machine to pieces, and show me
ow It must be put together again. You '
MI oblige me very particularly by not 20
ng out today. | have to thank you for
our patience. Keep my visit silent. | /
ope you have learned that in Russia il is
etter to keep quiet tongue. Do not re- |
urn to the shop. Pray take this for my
rst lesson" and she placed on the ma
hine table piece Of gold |
| felt very much inclined to kiss her
he looked cold and naughty, but my heart
as so full of thankfulness that. oyercom- c
lg somewhat the awe felt | ventured e
Ike her hand in mine and put it to my
ps. She did not withdraw it. b
Poor child" she said; "you do not look c
lore than twenty, and at your age To be b
such troubled This must be hard ex- 4
srience for you. Goodby until tomor- Il
wv" She gazed at me stead fastly, as If
he would look me through, and then bow p
x left me.
Next morning early there was a low b
mock at my door. | opened it, and
oman plainly dressed entered She did o
ot say word. She placed a bundle she
cid in her hand in a chair and at once u
ent to the machine and commenced sew le
y.
"You will kindly forget the lady of yes n
rday, and know me as Elise simply, or
ther, as Elise is French, we will say u
liza. IwaDt to learn your trade. 1t is lie
him of mine. Do you think that i'm a b
ontb could earn my bread this wayg | "
Ter you partnership. | can find the "
nds The contents Of the shop will prob
'iy be sold out, and you viii be able to 10
~ one Of the machines for me. Now, will NJ
u take this one apartS"
/ had not word to say | brought a CT
rench, screw driver. an oil can, and 81
osened the working parts of the machine. NJ
e took the oil can and bent over the dc
schine, studying il. / noticed that she vi
uched with her white fngeys all the W
imy parts, until her hands were soiled. gr
1T is by no means so complicated as a
voiver," she said gr
made no comment as put the working tn
rts together. She was very silent, work II
3 necessarily on some coarse material af
3 had brought with her. | sat near her ~
,eaching her what to do. She worked hn
until IL was past noon. 5.
Te n mot fir,na roxp 70 ont .ar,n4ls,.sis