The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-07-25
URG, PA, FRIDAY. JULY 25, 1890.
SOPHRONIA.

| bhkty BhlhbCt Whittg nllh HiCth
the white paint had lost its pristine
purity and the green of the blinds was
faded aud dusty. A hinge of the gate
was broken and the gate swung and
creaked hideously; the little patch of
grass in front sorely needed attention.
The sewing machine agent noted
these things without knowing it, as he
jumped from his buggy aud walked
toward the front door. He was of an
unbeautiful Yankee type, blue eyed,
sandy haired aud shambed 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 untrustworthy lineament.
There was no bell, so he raped.
No answer. He raped again. This
time footstcp might be heard within,
and presently the door was held slight.
ly ajar aud then flung wide open, as il
to welcome long expected guest. The
sewing 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 Gus.
set II Hemm, sewing machine manu-
facturers, madam, and would like to
show you one of the machines unless
you have one already. Have you a
sewing machine?"
No answer.
"We sell them for cash or install.
ments, and warrant them satisfactory.
| would like to show you Gussst 4
Hemm, could bring the machine right
in and show you how 1t works. Did
you say you had machinei"
No answer.
"Or, if you have machine and it
isn't quite satisfactory, we would take
it in part payment fot the new one.
He looked at the figure before him, a
little woman dressed in black her oace
sunny hair streaked with gray and
hidden under widows cap, her face
pale and worn. She might have be IN
35 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
fixedly at him, and thought, in his
Yankee vernacular, "Nervous critter,
afraid OF tramps and peddlers, li',ely. .
He rambled on in his usual fashion,
extolling his wares, and finally wound
up with, ''I'll just fetch in the ma
chine and see how you like it.
AT this the woman found hei
tongue. "No, don't" she said, breath
lessly.
'Did you say you had a machine
madam'' asked the agent. ..r9
| "Yes.' she said; and then added
hesitatingly, "but it is out of order
Perhaps you could fix it for me-" ant
held the door open wider as a NUT,
invitation for him to enter. He avail
ed himself of it at once, walkin,
straight into the small front room
bare destitute of ornament, its mos
costly furnishing being the sewini
machine, at which he seated himsel
without loss of a moment 1t sun
and buzzed under the stress of hi
rapid foot and hand. .....
'Needs oiling," he said-whirr-
whirr-''A new belt would be
MIGHTY good thing on this ere; L
take this up little"-whirr -whirr-
"Now III tell you, madam, you bette
let me fetch you 3 Gussst 81 Hemu
"youll like it a great deal better tha
this one, and you can have plenty {
| time to paw for it IN
:No, no, said the widow, hastil
81 couldn't pay tor another one.
was two years doing shop work enouq
to pay for this, and l had to suppo
my child besides"
"Shol you don't say So" said Il
agent with sympathy. "Paid a hie
price, didn't ye, Well, I'll tell yC
candidly there don't seem to be nothi
the matter with this, except it air
the newest fashion. Here's my ca
'l-Azariah Adams, with Gusset
Hemm-Id like TO leave it, and if y,
want any sewing machine supple
needles or winders or anything of tn
sort, I'll take your order now al
bring it when l come around to d
liver machines IN two weeks.
"Bring me some needless" said d
widow eagerly.
The agent took out his note boo
"What name, madam
"Mrs, Twitchell," said the wido
and seemed to look searching
through her glasses at the agent.
scrubbed a minute, thanked her, we
y out and scrambled in.o his buggy wi
a word to his horse, and drove ava
whistling cheerily. Mrs. Twitoh
dropped into a seat, buried her face
her hands and cried softly, but u
" ceasingly, until her little daugh,
y came home from play. The child SO
4 no signs of tears, however. To b
% she was the same gentle, careworn,
i lent mother she had always know
% nor could the little one dream that c
- memories were rising and rushi
4, within her mothers heart like t
spring floods, almost overwhelmi
)" her with force.
When Azariah Adams came aga
- the summer had fairly commence
and Mrs. Twitchell set doors a
windows wide open that the sweet p
fumed air might fill the whole SIN
cottage. Besides, she placed a boql
of the common wild flowers in a gil
tumbler on the sewing machine. S
be herself retained her former aspect,
cept that her black dress was Il
ASIDE and gray dress and VIII
@ apron lent her a Quaker like sc
80 blance.
H Mr.. Adams gave greeting as to
- old and valued customer, with resp
and fervor produced the needles,
ceive1 the few cents which were {
and took up his hat to go. But
widow, in her usual hesitsting W
detained him.
"Shall you be this way again 500
IN she asked.
.rp ayes, shall" said Azariah, prom
ly, "pve sold more machines this til
and I've got to come and deliver tn
inside of fortnight. Changed y