Wichita eagle., 1888-05-20
SOPHRONIA.


paint had lost its pristine purity and the
green of the blinds was faded and dusty. A
hinge of the gate was broken and the gate
swung and creaked hideously; the little
patch Of grass in front sorey needed atten-
ton. The sewing machine agent noted these
things without knowing it, as he Jumped
from his buggy and walked toward the front
door. He was of an unbeautiful Yankee
type blue eyed, sandy haired and sharnbled
somewhat in his gait, yet you might look
long in his lean face with its twinkling eyes
lsnd frequent smile before you could detect
U untrustworthy lineament.
There was no bell, SO he raped No an
sw, " He raped again. This time a foot
step might be heard within, and presently
the { toor was held slightly aiar and then
flung wide open, as if to welcome a long ex-
pected guest. The sewing machine agent
was use 20 all kinds of reception and die not
lose SET Ond in commencing his well learned
lesson
II am epresenting the firm Of Gusset G.
Hemm, sc wing machine manufacturers
madam, anLl would like to show you one of
the machines unless you have one already.
Have you ewing ulachine!"
No answer.
eve sell IL em for cash or instaIlrnents,
and warrant th en- satisfactory would like
to show you iussett q Hemm, could bring
the machine ri. yht in and show you how it
works. Did you say you had machine!"
No answer.
"Or, if yG1 have machine and it isn't
quite satisfac lory, we would take it in part
payment for Il le neFw one" He looked at the
figure before lliIl, little woman dressed in
black, her one sunny hair streaked with
gray and hidd en- under a widows cap, her
face pale and v orn. She might have been
81 or 10 years q d, the agents own age, but
time had laid Il heavier hand on the woman
than the man He noted that she trembled
and looked fixedi Y at him, and thought, in lis
Yankee vernacul II, Nervous critter, afraid
of tramps and ped dlers, likely" He rambled
on in his usual fas hion, extolling his wares.
and finally wound up with 'I'll just fetch in
the machine and sa how you like it"
At this the WON 1an found her tongue
"No, don't" she saitl, breathlessly.
'Did you say you had a machine, MADAME"
asked the agent
s'Yes" she said; and then added, hesitat-
ingly, but it is out of order Perhaps Won
could fx it for me" and held the door open
wider as a mute invitation for him to enter
He availed himself or it at once. walking
titute of ornament, its most costly furnish
ing being the sewing machine, at which bs
seated himself without loss of moment. It
sung and buzzed under the stress of his rapid
foot and hand.
''Needs oiling," he id-whirr-whirr-
"a new belt would be a mighty good thing
on this ere; I'll take this up little"-whirr
-whirr-"Now FL tell you, maam, you bet
ter let me fetch you a tfussett & Hemm,
''you'll like it a great deal better than this
one, and you can have plenty of time to pay
for it inn-
''No, no." said the widow, hastily. 81
couldn't pay for another one. 1 was two
years doing slop work enough to pay for
this, and | had to support my child, besides"
''Sho! you don't say So" said the agent
with sympathy. paid Z high price didn't
We! Well, I'll tell you candidly- there don't
seem to be nothin' the matter wi ith this, ex-
cept it amt the newest fashion. Here's my
card-Azariah Adams, with Gussatt & Hemm
I'd like to leave it, and if YOU want any
sewing machine supplies, needles or winders
or anything of that sort, I'll take your order
now and bring it when | come around to de-
liver machines in two weeks"
Bring me some needless" said the widow
eagerly.
The agent took out his note book "Nhat
rarae, madam"
MRS. Twitchell," said the widow, and
seemed to look searchingly through her
glasses at the agent. He scrubbed a minute,
thanked her, went out and scrambled into
his buggy with q word to his horse, and
drove away, whistling cheerily. Mrs.
Twitcbell dropped into a seat, buried her
face in her hands and erieo softly but un-
ceasingly, until her little daughter came
home from play. The child saw no signs of
tears, however. To her she was the same
gentle, careworn, silent mother she had al
wavs known; nor could the litCle one dream
that old memories were rising and rushing
within her mothers heart like the spring
floods, almost overwhelming her with their
foree
When Azariah Adams came again the sum-
mer had fairly commenced, and AIRS.
Twitchen set doors and windows wide open
that the sweet perfumed air might I'LL the
whole small cottage. Besides, she placed
bouquet of the common wild flowers in a
glass tumbler on the sewing machine She
herself retained her former aspect. except
that her black dress was laid aside and a
gray dress and white apron lent her a
Quaker like sernblance.
Mr. Adams gave greeting as TO an old and
valued customer, with respect and fervor,
produced the needless received the few cents
which were due and took up his hat to so.
But the widow. IL her usual heSItating way,
detained him
shall you be this way again soon!" she
asked.
YES. I SHALL" said Azariah. promptly.
s.Tve sold more machines this time, and I've
go. TO come and deliver them inside OF a fort
night. Changed your mind about a new ma
chinei"
"No.n said the widow. II only thought 1
would have a new hemmer if you could bring
one"
With his usual imperturbable cheerfulneSS,
Azariah noted down the new order and pre-
pared 10 depart, when through the open door
flashed vision of beauty, tiny 6year-old
girl, gold haired, azure eyed, music voiced
She stopped short at sight Of the stranger,
then fed to her mothers side.
Al swanny!7 said the sewing machine
agent, under his breath.
This is my little girl" volunteered Mrs.
Twitchell, smoothing the sunny head.
Azariaa sat down in the nearest chair.
"You could knock NE down with feather
said ne, presently. "That child is the living
image of one I knew thirty odd years ago.
What's your name. sissyf'
"Annle S Twitchei.n solemnly answered
the little enc, with steady look sat Of her
deep eyes.
This little Girl used to know WAS ns,ned
Sophrony-Sophrony Miller You hain'r no
relations napled Miller, have your he asked
Mrs. TwitchelL