St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-07-26

enticed the little one to his side, ther
to his knee. Mrs. Twitchell took uI
her sewing and listened to the talk
| going on between the two.
"Where did you know those Millers
you spoke of 7" she said after while
"They lived in the same place where
/ was born" said Azariah. "Sophrony
Miller was the prettiest critter you
ever did see. She looked just like this
little one of your'n, and when she was
just about as big as this one, she and
l used to 60 to school together, and
Sabbath school, too. She hadn't nc
parents, 80 her aunt brought her up
1t don't seem but little while since
Sophrony and / went along the road
hand in hand together, picking black
berries, or wintergreens, or whatever
-'cording to the seasOn-or sat to-
gether in meetin' with my old grand
'ther feeding us pep'mints to keep us
quiet. He was a master hand for pep
'mints-lOved 'em and always carried
'em. Fact, he smelt SO strong of 'em
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
Azariah burst into laugh.
"You see if don't bring you some
next time l come," said he. "But
there's woman mile down the road
here that's expecting a machine, and if
L don't get it to her this afternoon she'll
give me ballyhack, SO must go now.
Give me kiss, Sophrony-Annie, l
mean, and goodby, ma'am."
He took his lean, lank frame out of
the house, leaving behind him two firm
friends.
He came again and brought the hem-
mer, and some peppermints for Annie.
Then he called to show a new attach
ment to sewing machines, and insisted
on leaving it for trial. Then he call
ed to take it away, as Mrs. Twitchell
did not parchase it. Then he called to
see little Annie. Then he called bold
ly to see Mrs. Twitchell herself. The
nearest neighbor looked out of the
window at the frequent visitor and OBJ
served, 81 b'lieve my soul Wilder
Twitchell's got beau'
The cOurtship was short; Azariah
made his appearance one evening in
Mrs. Twitchell's front room, and at
once assumed his favorite attitude, one
knee crossed over the other and bal
ancing his chair on two legs.
''See here !" he said abruptly. "You
know told you once about girl nam
ed Sophrony Miller"
eyes," answered the widow, in the
breathless way which seemed to be
habitual.
"Well, didn't tell you she was my
girl" continued Azariah, "but she
was. We was engaged. We was go
ing to be married. Everything was
all arranged, and l went to the city to
get job; L was gone longer'n l ex-
pected, and when L come back, 10 and
behold, SOphrOny was gone! Yes,
gone! L never knew where, nor why,
except that her aunt had died and she
hadn't no hOme--but she would have
had home if she'd waited till l 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 | took to
you the first timeI see you. L can take
care of you and Annie too. Say |!
along together 2"
ling, and her voice shook as she re-
piled, eff you can't have Sophrony,
you'll take meq"
''NO matter about SophrOny-I want
you!n
Suppose you could have Sophrony
and me toow
"Well, l amt Mormon" commenc-
ed Azariah, but the widow interrupted
him by leaving the room abruptly.
stared after her for a moment,
letting the two fore-legs of his chair
drop to the floor. She reappeared as
hastily as she had departed. But was
it the Widow Twitchell, with specta-
cles 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, max
ing them bright as of yore9 Azariah
made two strides across the narrow
room, and his long arms closed about
her slender form. No doubts were his,
no questions rose in his faithful heart;
all he said was "Sophrony, Sophrony,
is it you 2"
81 had to go away after aunt died."
said Sophronia later in the evening.
l went to see if could earn little in
the factory. amt no hand to write,
you know, l never was, but [ did
write after while and never got no
answer. Then some of the girls from
home came visiting the factory, and
they said they heard you'd got married
in the city !"
"Twas darned lie," said Azariah,
thumping the table with his fist.
81 just gave up, then! And when
Mr.. Twitchell came counting me, |
thought l might as we'll take him. He
wasn't good to me, Azariah he drank
he died before Annie was born.
Annie's name is Annie Sophronia.
she'd tell you so long before
now. I've earned her living and mine
doing thanksgiving, but it weakened
my eyes, SO L commenced to wear
glasses, but since l bought my ma
chine they've grown stronger, and I'm
going to leave off the glasses now.
!"
"What say 2" replied the lover
beaming with unmistakable happiness.
"You was truer to me than l was to
you, for l got married and you didn't.
But you didn't know me till 1 took off
my Cap and specs, and knew you the
first day you came peddling to the
dOOrw