The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-05-09
where did YOU know those Millers YOU

hnOke orr she said after a 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 used to go to school together, and
Sabbath school, too. She hadn't no parents,
SO her aunt brought her up 1t don't seem
but a little while since Sophrony and went
along the road hand in hand together, pick
ing blackberries, or wintergreens, or what
ever-'cording to the season-or sat together
in rnsetin' with my old grandther feeding us
pep'mints TO keepus quiet He was a master
hand for mints-loved 'em and always
carried 'enA Fact, he smelt so strong Of 'eui
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
mintsG dor
Azariah burst into laugh.
"You see if don't bring you some next
time come said he. "But there's woman
a 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 ballybacl, so must
go now. Give me kiss, Sophrony-Annie.
mean, and good-by, ma'am.n
He took his lean, lank frame out of the
house, leaving behind him two firm friends.
He came again and brought the hemmer,
and some peppermints 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 out of the window at
the frequent visitor and observed: ~ be-
lieve my soul Wilder Twitchell's got a
beauln
The courtship was short Azariah made
his appearance one evening in Mrs. Twit-
chells front room, and at once assumed his
favorite attitude, one knee crossed over the
other and balancing his chair on two legs
"See herem he said abruptly. "You know
l told you once about girl named Sophrony
Miller''-
YES answered the widow, in the breath
less way which seemed TO be habitual.
well, didn't tell you she was my girl, -
continued Azariah, sbut she was We was
engaged. We was going to be married.
Everything was all arranged, and went to
the city to get job. was gone longern
expected, and when | come back, 10 and be-
hold, Sophrony was gonel Yes, gonel |
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 nowl You remind me of
her, and took to you the first time see
you. can take care of you and Annie too.
Say, what's the reason you and can't get
along togetherp
Mrs. Twitchell was visibly trembling, and
her voice shook as she replied, "If you can't
have Sophrony, you'll take mel"
mo matter about Sophrony--I want you. y
s'Suppose you could have Sophrony am
me toof'
s'Well, l amt IA 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,
Aaatsing tbesa irigsat IF yfsIa Agai'iaf
nlade two strides across the narrow room,
aud his long arms closed about her slender
form. No doubts were his, no question arose
IN his faithful heart; all he said was, $50
phrony, Sophrony, is it you"
81 had to go away after aunt died." said
Sophronia, later in the evening. 81 went TO
see il | 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
homo came visiting the factory, and they
said they heard you'd got married in the
ethyl"
twas a lie said Azariah, humping tho
table with his fist
~ just gave up thenl 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
was born. Annie's 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 COM
menced to wear glasses, but since bought
my sewing machine they've grown stronger,
nsld I'm going TO leave Off the glasses now.
Azariahl"
,.Wiat say7' replied tine lover, beaming
with unmistakable happiness.
'You was truer to me than was TO you,
for got married and you didn't. But you
didn't know me till | took off my cap and
specs, and knew you the first day you came
peddling TO the doorln-Eleanor w. II. Bater
in Springfield Republican
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