Wichita eagle., 1888-05-20

| phrOnla from Inc IHldOle aged, worn W l0OS
! Twitchell.
Azariah seemed to have forgotten his us.ls
energetic haste. With softened voice an
ingenious coaxing he enticed the little one t
his side, then to his knee. Mrs. Twitchel
took up her sewing and listened to the tall
going on between the two.
"Wheres did you know those Millers 20,
spoke off" she said after while.
''They lived III the same place where wa
born" said -Azariah. 'Sophrony Miller wa
the prettiest critter you ever did see. Sh,
| looked just like this little one of your'n, ant
when she was just about as big as this one
she and | used to go to school together, anc
| Sabbath school, too. She hadn't no parents
30 her aunt brought her up. 1t don't seen
but little while since Sophrony and L went
along the road hand in hand together, pick
ing blackberries, or wintergreens, or what
ever-cording to the seaSon-or sat together
IN neetin' with my old grand't 'ther feeding u:
| pep'mintS to keepus quiet. He was master
hand for pep'mints-loved 'em and always
carried 'eIn. Fact, he smelt so strong of 'ell
all the time they used TO call him old Pep.
mint Adams.
Annie had been regarding him with great
gravity, and now asked: ''Do you love pep.
mints? / dol"
AZariah burst into laugh.
''You see if l don't bring you some rext
time l come" said he. But there's a woman
mile down the -oad here that's expecting a
machine, and if l don't get it to her this
afternoon she'l give me ballyhack, SO 1 must
so now Give me kiss, Sophrony-Annie,
mean, and Sood-by, ma'am"
He took his lean, lank frame out of tie
house, leaving behind him two firm friends.
He came again and brought the hemmer,
and some pepperInints for Annie Then he
called TO show a new attachment to sewing
machines, and insisted on leaving it for a
trial. Then he called TO take it away, as Mrs.
Twitchell did not purchase it. Then he
called to see little Annie. Then he called
boldly to see Mrs. Twitchell herself The
nearest neighbor looked ous of the window at
the frequent visitor and observed: 81 be-
lieve my soul Widder Twitchell's got a
beaum
The courtship was short. Azariah made
his appearance one evening in Mrs Twit-
cheil's front loom, and at once assumed his
favoriJe attitude, one knee crossed over the
other and balancing his chair on two legs.
SEQ here" he said abruptly. " Gu know
I told you once about q girl named Sophrony
Millern-
Eyes" answered the widow in the breath
less way which seemed to be habitual
"Well, didn't tell you she was my girl, -
continued AzariahS "but she was We was
engaged. We was going to be married.
Everything was all arranged, and went to
the city to get a job; | was gone longer'n l
al I'D yvbar I oopoa haaly 10 a,I
hold, Sophrony was gone! Yes, gone!
never knew where, nor why, except that her
aunt had died, and she hadn't no home, but
she would have had a home if she'd waited
till got there.
"Well, never mind Sophrony now, only
she's the reason why never wanted to get
married since till now! You remind me OF
her, and I took to you the first time l see
you. l can take care of you and Annie too.
Say, what's the reason you and l can't get
along tosether:'
Mrs. Twitchell was visibly trembling, and
her voice shook as She replied, ''If you can't
have Sophrony, you'll take mew
mo matter about Sophrony-I want you"
''iSuppose you could have Sophrony ant
me too"
''Well, I amt Mormon" commenced
Azariah, but the widow interrupted him by
leaving the room abruptly. Azariah stared
after her for moment, letting the two fore
legs of his chair drop to the floor. She reap
peared as hastily as she bad departed. But
was it the Widow Twitchell, with spectacles
and cap discarded, transient flush lending
the bloom of youth to her pale cheeks, her
hair arranged in the fashion of her girlhood,
smiling, yet with tears sparkling in her eyes,
making them bright as OF yore. Azariah
made two strides across the narrow room,
and his long arms closed about her slender
form. No doubts We're his, no question arose
in his faithful heart; ell he said was, $50
phrony, Sophrony, is it you!'
Il had to go away after aunt died." said
Sophronia, later in the evening. II went to
see il | could earn little in the factory. I
amt no hand TO write, you know, 1 never
was, but did write after while and never
got no answer. Then some of the girls from
homo came visiting the factory, and they
said they heard you'd got married in the
city!"
d" Twas lie" said Azariah, humping the
table with his fist.
~ just gave up then! And when Mr..
Twitchell came counting me, | thought [
might as well take him. He wasn't good to
me- Azariah, he drank; he died before Annie
YVES born. Annies name is Annie Sophronia-
] expected she'd tell you SO long before now.
I've earned her living and mine doing hand
sewing, and it weakened my eyes, SO l COM
menced TO wear glasses, but since | bought
my sewing machine they've grown stronger,
and Pm going to leave off the glasses now.
Azariah!"
What sayT' replied the lover, beaminS
with unniStakable happiness.
"You was truer to me than l was to you,
for got married and you didn't. But you
didn't know me till l took off my cap ard
specs, ard l knew you the first day you came
pedding TO the door.'-Eleanor ". +. Batter
in Springfield Republican.