Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-11-11
ciety. II was during the second wear that

ciety. 1t was during the second year that
knew him-we had been living here to-
gether for about eighteen months-that he
came into my room one night about nine
O'Clock in evening dress ami told me that
he was going to large party at the house
of Mr.. HuntIey, his employer. 1t WAS
! there that he met for the first time Alice
Remson.'
"Whog' said Harry, in sharp, con-
strained tone. He began to see where
Joe's story was tending, and hot, bitter
feeling of hatred toward his friend surged
up in his heart.
Forgive me, Harry. / would spare
You the horrid story ii / could. 1t is as
hard for me TO tell as for you 10 hear. II
is only the hope that the present pain l
am infiicting may save you years OF
future suffering that enables me to go
on;n and Joe's voice trembled as he
spoke
He met her for the first time at Mr..
Huntley's; but after that, as the winter
went on, not week passed that he did
not spend one or more evenings at her
side. AT balls, parties, or receptions
Charley was her constant attendant; he
was her escort at the opera; he walked
with her in the mornings, and later in the
day rode with her in the park. Their
names were always coupled together in
the current gossip of drawing rooms, and
people would pause to admire the hand
some couple as they passed them on the
street or avenue. Charley's attention was
in great measure drawn away from his
business; his salary was exhausted with
opera and concert tickets, carriage hire
and dollhouse flowers; and his devotion
to Alice Remson absorbed his time and
attention to the exclusion of every other
thought or interest. All other admirers
fell away from Alice's train to devote
themselves 10 some one less preoccupied,
and society began to look upon them as
belonging to each other, although no en-.
gagement was ever announced"
Harry's face was turned away from
Joe, but the latter saw a slight shiver con-
vulse the boys frame, while one hand
was tightly clinched in the pillow under
his head
"One night Charley came home, and
passing my room on his way TO his own
stopped for moment. missed the usual
buoyancy from his quick, elastic step and
the pleasant whistle that nearly always
announced his coming. Looking up at
him, | saw sad, troubled look in his
handsome eyes, and struck by the change
in his manner asked him what was the
matter. 1t was something so unusual to
see him anything but cheerful and happy.
Idon'tquite know, Joe, he answered,
in the low, sweet voice that was one OF
his greatest attractions. Ally promised
to be at home tonight, and when | went
to her house she had gone out" with a
gentleman, was told
"' Is that an engagement, Charley" /
asked.
"' suppose may tell you, Joe, he re-
piled; but the little lady will not have 1t
announced publicly
"'Why not?' asked him.
60 don't know. You--you don't think
she can mean to break her promise, do
you, joey he asked, in troubled, hest.
tating tone. She hasn't seemed quite the
from his lips, and there was a slight evil
brown eyes.
"That was the beginning of the end.
From that night a change came over
Charley. The brilliant light in his eyes
faded away the sound Of his football grew
heavy and weary as he dragged himself
hopelessly about, and his merry whistle
never NOht the eCuOts III Tic Dld bDaiuiHE-
house again. Alice Remson's falsehood
and treachery had broken his heart, and a
few weeks afterward cost him his life.n
1T is false--as false as hellp With a
sudden bound Harry sprang from the
bed, his eyes glowing with the fury of a
maniac With sudden jerk he seized
Joe by the shoulder, and, dragging him
to his feet, threw him forcibly back
against the wall with resistless strength
born of the madness of passion that in.
quilted his soul. How dare you tell me
such wild, false, wicked lieS Do you
stand there with such vile, base false
hood on your lips and think that l shall
not kill your
Joe warded off the fierce blow that
would have fallen on his head with his
left arm, and, exerting the full strength of
his heavy muscular frame, pinioned
Harry's arms TO his side and lifted him
back to the bed, where he held him by the
force of one powerful hand.
"Are you mad, Harry, that you would
strike your best friendy Control yourself
Instantly" and Joe's stern gaze looked
into Harry's passionate eyes with calm,
determined force that would have subdued
nature even more violent than poor
Harry's.
The boy WINGED under the severe glance
bent upon him, and twisting himself away
from the resolute grasp that held him
buried his face among the pillows, while
a deep groan came from his lips.
Harry" said Joe, while the tears gath
cred in his eyes and his voice quiyered at
the sight Of the poor boys suffering,
here Is package of letters, the evidence
have TO offer you of the truth Of the sad
story have told you tonight Among
the first you will find Alice's confession Of
love for Charley, her sweet expressions Of
devotion and affection tor the man she
aiterward ruined; then the cruel letter
that blighted his hope and destroyed his
ambition. Next few cold, business like
lines from Mr.. Huntley, informing him
that his services are no longer OF value To
his employers and regretting the necessity
Of discharging him. Last of all, few
disjointed words in Charley's own hand
writing, In which he announces his inten-
ton Of selt-destruction and begs me 10
break the story OF his death gently TO his
mother, and shield his memory, II posi-
BILE, from the obloquy that attaches itself
TO the name Of a suicide. Then, Harry,
here is newspaper. In one column you
w,Il find a ma ra1runh heafad Fatal Acct