Year: 1874

do not think there is any need Of my
explaining how it happened, that /, who
when born had expectations Of quite fair
fortune, should have found myself, when
womanhood came, Obliged to earn my dali
~ bread. But so it was and In one OF the
large sewing machine emporiums (no mat
ter which one) OF leading American city,
l held a position as teacher for several
years.


My duties were very monotonous; but
used TO extract a considerable amount OF
interest and amusement, while engaged in
giving instruction, from learning the his
tories-and they were very varied-of my
scholars. If the proverbial cup of tea un-
locks the female tongue, found that les
son en- the machine, aud initiation into the
mysteries of setting a needle, winding
bobbin, and regulating a tension, were
even more conducive to communication.
do not wish TO appear egotistical; but 1
must confess to quite a power which l
seemed to possess of gaining the confidence
of my pupils, through my habit OF taking
an interest in them also that 1 was very
fond of an "ower true tale !" perhaps some
malicious critic would call my propensity
| by no higher name than female curiosity.
Even now, though time has brought its
changes to me, and no longer haunt the
old familiar places, often find myself re-
calling one and another among the many
romances and stories in which figured as
an interested and sympathetic listener,
occasionally an unsupported actor.


The present recollection always comes
back TO me al the Christmas time and
therefore when the season rolls around
again, with its merriment and cheer, lis
mistletoe and holly, its written and un-
written tragedies and comedies of life,
feel like recounting 1t to others.


The position of inJtructress brought me
almost entirely in contact with my owr
sex. Sometimes had male puPil-ont
of mildly mechanical turn, who would
wish TO become familiar with the machine
50 as to assist some wife or sister but thC
instruction room, as a rule, was usually
quite free from frequent visits OF the stern
er sex.


During the fall of special year be
came conscious, however. that a certain
Mr.. Harry Lee, gentleman whom knew
TO be an intimate acquaintance OF one o
my employers, and whose face was quit
well known TO all In the establishment, be
gan TO occasionally drop into my department
and look on during instruction hours. II
was very pleasant and gentlemanly in hi
manners and gave as an excuse for the in
terest he took, that he was born Yanke
and therefore very fond Of invention.


Although there were other teachers,
discovered that he fingered most frequent
ly in my vicinity, and seemed more intel


ested in my conversation than that Of m
companions. was young at the time, an
, no doubt had the usual desire of my sex


please. felt fiattered, perhaps, at his n


spectful attention, and took partculi
- pains to make my observations on "what
, knew about sewing as INTEL


gent as my limited powers permitted. Il
= = soon became frequent visitor. and SOM


times when business was dull would ling


and converse on other subjects besides Il
techuicalities OF the trade. found that


was we'll educated, had travelled consider


bly, in his own country, and knew, as thu


say, "msn and things" His intimS