The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-09-01
.hlld sophrony nom the middle-aged,

AERriah seemed 10 have forgotten hil
usual energetic hasta. With Boftenet
voice and Ingenious eoaxing he entieet
tile little One 10 his side, then 70 BIZ
knee. Mn. Twitchell took up her sew,
ing and listened TO the talk going on be
tween the two.
"Where did you know these Millen
you spoke Off she said, after q while
They lived in the same place where
was born" said AEariah. "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 used
to 20 TO school together, and Sabbath
school, too. She hadn't no parents, 80
her aunt brought her up. II don't seem
but little while since SoplBony and l
went along the road hand in hand to-
gether, picking blackbeffies or winter.
greens. or Misunderstanding to the
season-or sat together 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 EN-. Fact, he smelt so strong Of
EN- 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'mints2 do.
Azariah burst into a laugh.
"Nou see II don't bring you some the
next time / come" said he. "But
there's a woman mile down the road
here that's expecting a machine, and II
| don't get II TO her this afternoon she'll
give me ballyhack, 80 l must 60 now.
Give me n kiss, Sophrony-Annie, /
mean-and good by, ma'am."
He took his lean, lank frame out OF
the house, leaving behind his two firm
friends.
He came again and brought the hem
mer and some peppermint for Annie.
Then he called TO show new attach.
ment TO sewing machines and insisted
on leaving II for trial. Then he called
TO take itRway, as Ars. Twitchell did not
purchase it. Then he called to SEQ little
Annie. Then he called boldly To see
Alrs. Twitchcll herself. The nearest
neighbor looked out Of the window at
the frequent visitor and observed: 81
believe my soul Widder Twitchell's got
u beau"
The courtship was short. Azariah
made his appearance opeevenlng in AiH,
TwitOhell's front room and at once as
sumed his .favOrito Rttitude-OnC knee
crossed over the other, and balancing his
cbairOn two legs.
"See herew lie said, abruptly, you
know ! told you once about u girl named
Sophrony Miller"
YES answered the widow, In the
breathless way which seemed to be
habitual.
"well, | didn't tell you she was my
girl, y continued AEariah, "but she was.
We was engaged. We was going TO be
married. Everything was arranged, and
| went to the city TO get iek. was
gone longer'n | expected, and when |
come back, 10! aud behold, Sophrony
was gone! Yes, gone! | never knew
where, nor why, except that her aunt
had died and she hadn't no home; but
sbe would have had home II she'd
waited till ! got there.
"Well, never mind Sophrony now,
only she's the reason why never want
ed to get married since till now, You
remind me OF her, aud ! took to:you the
first time ! see you. can take care OF
you and Annie, too. Say, what the rea-
son you and ! can't get along together?'
Mrs. Twitchell was visibly trembling,
and her voice shook Nc she replied; "If
You can't have Soplrony you'll take
mcg
mo matter about sophrony. l want
rs Suppose you could have sOphrony
and me, too
"Wcli, | amt Mormon" began
Azariah, but the widow interrupted him
by leaving the room abruptly. Azariah
started after her for moment, letting
the two iorelegs OF his chair drop TO the
floor. She reappeared rs hastily NJ she
departed. But was II the Widow Twich-
ell, with speCtacles and cap discarded,
transient flush lending the bloom OF
youth TO her pale cheeks, her hair ar
ranged in the fashion Of her girlhOOd,
smiling, yet with tears sparkling in her
ewes, making them as bright gs Of yorc ?
Azariah made two strides across the
narrow room, and his long arm closed
abOut her slender form. No doubts
were his, no question arose in his faith
iul heart; all he said was: "Sophrony,
Sophrony, is it you?'
81 hAa so g0 Away aitnT ami died"
said SophTonia later in the evening. 81
went TO sect could earn little in the
factory. ] amt no hand to write, you
know, meyer wac, but did write alter
awhile, and never got no answer. Then
some OF the girls from home came visit
ing the factory, and they said they heard
you Il got married in the Cityw
Twas a lii" said Azariah, humping
the table with his fists,
~ just gave up thcnl And when Mr..
Twitchcll came counting me | thought J
might US well take him. lie wasn't good
10 me, AZariah, he drank he died be-
fore Annie wgs born. Annic's name is
Annie Sophronia. I,expccted she'd tell
YOU so long before now. I've earned
her living and mine doing hand sewing,
and il weakened my eyes, so began to
wear glasses, but SnCc Thought my sew.
ing machine they've grown stronger, and
I'm going to leave oil the glasses now,
Azariah u
what say g replied the lover, beam.
ing with unmistakahlo happiness.
"YOu were trucr To me than | was to
you, for | got married aud You didn't.
But YOU didn't know me till ! took of
INV cap and specs, and | knew yOn the
inst day you came peddiingto the door
Piles pIIcsl Itching rilrs.