Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-03-05
gus sagrlss gerald.
CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIAL PAPER.
s, 1875
THE OTHER CHARLIE.
BY BELLA FRENCH.

"Charlie, why don't you go and play
with the boys, and not be forever stuck
at my feet?'
Such was Mrs. Grey's impatient
question one day, wnen her little son
came and seated himself in the parlor,
when his mother was conversing with
visitor.
III would rather be with you than
the boys,n he answered, timidly.
"Oh, L never saw such boyW
t1s it wrong to wish to be near you,
mamma?n said the child, his neither
lip trembling as he spoke.
"Wrong? Of course not; but you are
old enough to have some manliness
about you. See, yonder are Will and
John Growde on the ice. Run along
and keep them company; l want to
talk to Mrs. Brown
He picked up his little cap and went
off without another word. Mrs. Grey
turned to her visitor.
''Isn't he queer child?n she asked.
The other raised her sad eyes and
fixed them with such painful express
sion on the mothers face that for q
moment Mrs. Grey felt almost Offend
ed. She was a sorrowful looking
woman, this Mrs. Brown.
"I had son once; but he is gone
now,' she said at last, and there were
tears in her eyes.
Mrs. Grey gazed at her wonderfully.
She had not known this before.
cit is bitter thing to tear open par
TALLY healed wounds Mrs. Brown
continued, "but let me tell you my
story.n
"Several years ago was about to
give party; grand affair it was to
be, and my head was almost turned
while making preparations. Master
Charlie (his name was Charlie, too)
was about sixteen years old. He had
never been to school; l had educated
him myself. AT home, he was all his
mothers heart could desire; but he
was shy, and when forced him into
company he appeared so awkward that
| felt ashamed of him. This was one
reason of my deciding to give party.
If he was obliged to act the part of
host he would overcome his bashful-
ness, 1 thought. But Charlie never
approved of it.
''I shall be glad when this party is
over" he said, one day; "for since you
| have got it into your head, L have lost
my mother"
hPoor little babyr 1 responded
slightly provoked at his lack of inter-
est; ~ wonder how many more years
shall have you tied to my apron
strings?n
spoke sneeringly, and instantly
proud flush overspread his face.
"I will be tied there no longer,n he
returned; 81 will seek my company in
the future"
was frightened at the result of my
words. Still | made no response. My
son, putting on his hat and coat, went
out. 1t was the first time in his life
he had ever left me without informing
me where he was going.
In time the party came off. 1t was
a gay affair, and none were gayer than
Charlie. He was sort of extremist,
and took no medium stand. After
tbot his hnoks apd woriss
nings were spent abroad. Fast young
men became his constant companions
and I was left alone to mourn the
change I had wrought. AT first, he
made it rule to be in at night at ten
o'clock; bat after that he began to stay
out later; and daybreak sometimes
found him from home. | tried to eX-
postulate, tried to win him back to
his old habits; but my efforts were
unavailing. He had got taste ofnew
life, and it held him by charm. Well
| do remember the first night he came
| home in a state of intoxication. 1t
was his seventeenth birthday-justo one
year from the time / had given the
party. / had seen him under the in
| fiuence of wine once or twice before;
but on this night he had drank so
had to help him home.
The hours of that night were dread
full hours of self-reproach- and agony.
I was so glad when morning came to
| dispel the gloem-so sad when reason
returned to my erring child. He was
very much ashamed. He said again
and again he would do better; but his
resolves were worthless. Two nights
later he was again brought home in
| toXicated.
After that it was common occur
renee. He fell lower and lower, ,squan-
dered all my ready money, and when
L refused to mortgage my property,
| that he might have more, he left me
with an oath. That night large firm
was robbed, and it was discovered that
Charlie was one of the perpetrators of
the deed. The next morning the town
was wild with excitement, and L was
almost distracted, for my boy had fed.
The news was passed from mouth to
MOUTH my house was searched, and
my SON called villain; but / had no
pow6f to prevent either. No one gave
me word of sympathy.
"You have only yourself to blame y
| said blunt old woman who called
during the day. "The boy was happy
at home but you drove him into bad
company
That night at the hour of twelve, as
sat alone, a window was opened
softly, and Charlie stepped into the
room. With glad cry sprang to-
ward him, but he rudely pushed me
away.
"Can you hide me anywhere?n he
said; saThe hounds are after me, Had
you given me money yesterday this
would not have been."
"Oh, CharlieW | cried.
eyes, MOTHER he said, sternly.
"You have made me criminal. L
want to tell you have secretly mar
ried Kate Hastings. God only knows
what will become of her, as the world
will not believe we are married. She
will be scorned by ALL"
''Kate was pretty little creature,
only sixteen years old, innocent as
the violets which grew around her
home. My bleeding heart gave a
| quick, painful throb.
"Hark! they are coming. Mother,I
am too young, too wicked to die, but II
| must die. FarewellW