Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-07
SOPHRONIA.

white pdluG ndQ lOSG It's pristine putty
and the green of the blinds was faded and
dusty. hinge of the gate was broken
and the gate swung and creaked hideous-
iy; the little patch Of grass IL front soreiy
needed attention. The sewing machine
agentnote these things without knowing
it, as he jumped from his buggy and walk
ed toward the front door. He was of an
unb 3autiful Yankee type, bl1e-eyed sandy
haired and shambled somewhat IN his
gait, yet you might look long in his lean
face with its twinkling eyes and frequent
~ smile before you could detect an I'M
Trustworthy lineament.
There was no bell, so he raped. No
answer. He raped again. This time a
foot-step might be heard within and
presently the door was held slightly aiar
and then flung wide open, as if to well
come long expected guest The sew
ing machine agent was used to all kinds
of reception and did not lose a second in
commencing his well learned lesson.
81 am representing the firm of Gasset
u Hemm, sewing machine manufacturers,
madam, and wonld like to show you one of
the machines, unless you have one already.
Have you a sewing machine?"
No answer.
eve sell them for cash or instruments
and warrant them satisfactory. l would
like to show you a Gusset and Hemm-
could bring the machine in and show you
how it works. Did you say you had a
machine?
No answer.
"Or if you have machine and it is not
quite satisfactory, we would take it IN
part payment for the new one" He
looked at tie figure before nina little
woman dressed ia black, her once sunny
hair streaked with gray and hidden under
widows cap, her eyes, too hidden behind
ne spectacles, her face pale and worn.
She might have been 30 or 40 years old,
the agents own age, but time had laid a
heavier hand on the woman than the man.
He noted that she trembled and looked
fxedly at him, and thought in his Yankee
vernacular, nervous cTitter-afraid of
tramps and peddlers likely" He rumbled
on his usual fashion, extolling his wares
and finally wound up with, "Ill just fetch
IN the machine and see how you like it,
At this the woman found her tongue.
mo, DON'T" she said breathlessly.
Did you say you had machine, mad
amp asked the agent.
'Yes,'' she said: and then added hest
tatingly. 'But it is out of order. Per
haps you could fix 1T for me-" and held
the door open wider as a mute investia-
tion for him to enter. He availed him
self of it at once, walking straight into
the small front room, bare destitute of
ornaments, its most costly furnishing
being the sewing machine, at which he
seated himself without loss of moment.
Itsssung and buzzed under the stress of
his rapid foot and hand.
"Needs oiling," he -whirr-whirr
"A new belt would be a mighty good
thing Oh this ERE; I'll take this up a lit
tle"--whire- whirr-"Now I'll tell you,
ma'am, you better let me fetch you a
Gusset d Hemm, you'll like it q great
deal better than this one and you can
have plenty of time to pay for it in"
mo, 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 L had to support my
child besides"
"Sho! you don't say So" said the agent
with sympathy. "Paid a high price didn't
ye? Well I'll tell you candidly there
don't seem to be nothin' the matter with
this, except it amt the new-fashion.
Here's my card-Azariah Adams, with
Gusset i Hemm-rd 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 deliver machines
in two weeks"
Bring me some needles" said the
widow, eagerly.
The agent took out his book
"What name, madam"
"Mrs. Twitchell," said the widow, and
seemed to look searchingly through her
glasses at the agent. He scribbled min
ute, thanked her, went out and scrambled
into his buggy, with word to his horse,
then drove away whistling cheerily. Mrs.
Twitchel dropped into seat, buried her
face in her hands and cried softly, but
INCREASINGLY, until her little daughter
came homo from play. The child saw no
sign of tears, however, TO her she was the
same gentle, careworn, silent mother she
had always known; nor could the little
one dream that old memories were rising
and rushing within her mothers heart like
the spring floods, almost overwhelming
her with their force.
When Azariah Adams came again, the
summer had fairly commenced, and Mrs.
Twltchen set doors and windows wide
open that the sweet perfumed air might
I'LL the whole small cottage. Besides, she
placed a bouquet of the common wild
flowers In glass tumbler on the sewing
machine. She herself retained her for
mer aspect, except that her black dress
was laid aside and a gray dress and white
apron lent her Quaker-like semblance.
Mr.. Adams gave greeting as to an old
and valued Gust 0mer, with respect and
favor, produced the needles, received the
few cents which were due and took up his
hat to go. But the widow, in her usual
hesitating way, detained him.
''Shall you be this way again soonf''
she asked.
Eyes, SHALL" said Azariah, promptly.
"Tve sold more machines this time, and
I've got to come nd deliver them inside
of fortnight. Changed your mind about
new machine?"
NO." said the widow. "I only thought
l would have new hemmer if you could
bring one."
With his usual imperturable cheerful
ness, Azariah Noted down the new order
and prepared to depart, when throug the
open door flashed a vision of beauty--a
tiny sIx-year-old girl, gold haired, azure
eyed, music. voiced. She stopped short at
sight of the stranger, then fled to her
mothers side.
Il swanny" said the sewing machine
agent, under his breath.