Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-05-12
.Two weeks-nerhans less. ;,

would lt dlShgure my hauds
She took off her gloves, showed her
well cared for hands, her fingers gilt
tering with rings
Your beautiful hands would hard
ly be spoiled"
We'll, then, give me a lesson at
once-at once. I will pay you for
your trouble"
| expressed my gratitude with al
most tears in my eyes. Il have no
material here. but anything will do,
l said as l opened my trunk and took
out an apron. Il will run Il tuck
across the bottom. 1t will do no
harm"
Nonsense. Take the waist and
begin on that
But it is quite finished, and any
extra stitching would spoil this deli
cate cream colored silk"
Give it to me, ," said the lady, tax
ing up her scissors and deliberately
cutting the waist up the back.
Now sew me up this" she cried
| took it, aud as carefully rs | could
ran the machine, sewing up an ugly
cash, but of course the waist was
spoiled. Now | will try" and she
sat down and under my instruction
worked for an hour. She was won
derfuly clever with her fingers and
seemed to sieze the peculiarities OF
the machine at once.
"Ar this rate Of progress, madam,
You would become quite IA good
workwomau il 10 DAYS" | said ap-
provingly.
She made no reply. but worked
away for another half hour, crossing
and recro>sing the body with stitches.
1T is not So tireSome after all, ~ she
said, but | have had enough for to-
day. To morrow will call, and you
will then take the machine 10 pieces
and show me how to put it together
again. You will obIige me very par
ticularly by not going out today. |
have to thank you for your paticnc'.
Keep my visit silent | hope you
have learned that in Russia it is bet
ter to keep "A 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.
Il am very much overpaid, - | said.
"Where are you from, English or
American -
american. am from New Hamp-
shire.
New Hampshire? Where is that 2
zone of the New England States
Il never heard of it, You are IA
good republican, suppose
II hope So
"WelI, udieu. felt very much
inclined to kiss her She looked cold
and naughty, but my heart was SO
full Of thaukfulness that, overcoming
somewhat the awe felt, | ventured
to take her hand IN mine and put il
TO my lips She did not withdraw H.
Poor child" she said, YOU DO not
look more than 20. and at your age
TO be in such trouble This must be-
a hard experience for you. Goodby
and until tomorrow She gazed at
me steadfa-tly n if she would look
me through and then, bowing, left
me.
| did not-wouId not-allow my
self to be disheartened. | sat down
and wrote two letters-one to my
mother at Amherst, the other to II
sewing machine company in New
York. l explained my pitiful condi-
tion.
Next morning early there was
low knock at my door. opened it,
and IA 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 ma
chine, took up the bodice and com
menced sewing
You will kindly forget the lady Of
Yesterday and know me as Elise sim
ply. or, rather, as Elise i French, we
will say Eliza. ! want 10 learn your
trade. 1t /, whim Of mine Do you
think that in month | could earn
my bread this way? | offer you
partnership. | can find the funds.
The contents Of the shop will prob
ably be sold out. and you will be able
to buy one Of the machines for IN"
Now, will you take this one apart Z!
had not word 10 say. brought
a wrench, Il screwdriver, an oil can,
and unlooseued the working parts Of
the machine. She took the oil can
and bent over the machine, studying
/ it. | noticed that she touched with
her white fingers all the grimy parts
J until her hands were soiied.
1T Is by no means as complicated
as rev Oliver, she said.
/ | made no comment as | pat the
working parts together. She was
very silent, working ihcessautIy on
some coarse material she had brought
with her. l sat near her. teaching
her what to DO. She worked on until
it was past noon. is it not time
now 10 eat something r.
1t j." replied Would madam
partake Of my simple meal?"
Madam am EIiza-and you
say your name is Mary, Mary. l
shall be very glad TO share your food
with you if you Will let me. II you
have not enough for two, will 20
out aud bay what i wanted. What
shall il be! dare Say / can shop bet
ter than you. VIII you lend ne your
shawl. your furs and your oyershoesl