Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-03

"Feu luxury! more perilous % youth
Than storms or quicksands, poverty and chains"
Some of our citizens doubtless remem-
Der to have seen well dressed young man,
driving fast horses and styling around gen.
orally, last week, and previous to that time,
around our city. A short sketch of this
child of wealth. for such be proves, will be
of interest TO many who regarded him as
a most mysterious character, and spoke OF
him SIS
CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE,
and such let us call him. Champagne
Charlie was raised at Dubuque, Iowa, it is
said, and is about eighteen years of age,
being the youngest son of a millionaire
who is very indulgent. FOstered amid the
gilded dreams of fashion, and constantly
longing for the dissipated gaieties of the
world, Charlie has been noted for
HIS WILD LIFE.
Several months ago he managed, how, We
will not here relate, to get in his hands sew
eral thousand dollars Of his fathers money.
Armed against the rude surprises and scorn-
full glance of aristocratic society, Charlie
determined to see the elephant, and, one
evening while the family were absent to a
neighbOring city, he packs his wardrobe
and
RUNS AWAY FROM HOME,
going direct TO St. Louis. Arriving here
he was initiated into the most exciting dissi-
pations to be found in a large city. Fine
clothes, dead-beat acquaintance, theaters,
balls, wine, women, and horses claimed his
attention and offered him amusemeLts.
Shortly after leaving home his mother, who
was unable to hear from her missing child,
became III and since then has been con-
fined with nervous prostration to her room.
Upon learning this Charlie changed his
name and was known as 4. F. " illiams.
He had a great taste for comic music and
fearing detection, for his father had now
offered reward for him, he was forced to
abandon his first intention to make dis
play and compelled TO sacrifice many pleas
ant moments to seclusion and retreat. He
enjoyed himself as best be could by picking
on banjo, but despite its strangely cheer
full strains Williams soon became weary of
ST. Louis life and left for Memphis, which
being represented as a pocket edition Of
New York city, would he thought have
much of that ephemeral excitement. for
which his heart long yearned for.
HIS VISIT TO MEMPHIS
was not, however, so pleasant as his bright
fancy had pictured it. To be sure there
were many people there, and business ap-
peared lively, yet there was too much
earnest prize fighting, eye-blacking going
on. ard as be did not wish to hurt the
feelings of any chiValrous denizen of the
Bluff city by refusing coffee and pistols for
two he did not remain there a very long
while. Leaving Memphis he took berth on
a sleeping coach one afternoon, not know
ing nor caring where he would be carried !
TO. Upon awaking next morning he found |
upon inquiry that he had arrived
AT NASHVILLE,
a city of which he had often heard. Step |
ping out on the platform he came across !
the smiling face Of the bus checkman and |
asked for the best hotel in the city-one |
where he could enjoy himself like prince
and live like a gentleman. Having been |
told the names of the various hotels he /
engaged a carriage, and learning there was
such building here as the State Capitol, |
he ordered the driver to take him to see it.
The fresh morning air lend buoyancy to his
frame, and the beams Of the rising sun
made him cheerful and gay. He was SO
charmed with the noble building, the wind
ing river, and the fine view presented Of the
city below and the picturesque landscape
in the distance, that he resolved to remain
some time in Nashville. His next appear
lnce was -ES8
AT THE MAXWELL,
.he gorgeous splendour and stylish apart
ments of which were not unnOticed by the
hayward youth as he entered the door.
With an air of non chalance well Iecoming
,ome wild and daring knight OF crusade
tory, he made his way to the bar and reg
stored his name e. F. Williams, claiming
lis place of residence to be New York
,ity. The clerk did not fail to observe q
lind of reckless, don't-care look about the
voung man, as he neryously grasped the
zen and hurriedly registered his name.
His first question to the clerk was to
i've him a
SPLENDID SUIT OF ROOMS,
IN the first floor. The clerk, who is one of
he cleverest gentlemen that ever scratched
pen, looked with surprise at his youthful