The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-07-20
/, Selerf Sturp..
THE OTHER CHARLIE.

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THE OTHER CHARLIE.
"Charlie why don't you 60 and play
with the boys, and not he forever stuck
at my feet2" 49,,
Such was Mrs. Gray's impatient ques-
ton, one day, when her little son came
and seated himself il the parlor while
his mother was conversing with Wis
itor. ~ j., ..;4.-.,-.
81 would rather be with you than the
boys" he answered timidlv. .,.
"Oh. l never saw such boyw : ~
sis it wrong to wish to be near you,
mamma ?" said the child his neither lip
trembling as he spoke. %
Wrong? of course not But you
are old enough to have some man,iness
about you. See yonder are Will and
John Growde on the ice. Run along
and keep them company I want to talk
to Mrs. Brown" 9'- y
He picked up his little cap and went
off without another word. Mrs Gray
turned to her visitor. ''is2a & 'z'' .'0
"Isn't he a queer child ?"' she asked
The other raised her sad eyes and fixed
such painful expression on the. moth.
er's face that for a moment Mrs. Gray
felt almost offended. She was a sorrow
full looking woman, this Mrs Brown.
81 had son once; but he fs gone
now" she said at last, and there were
tears in her eyes. go 2'E ss'-ea
Mrs, Gray gazed wonderingly.. She
had not known this before. s'g@'l.' saa.
''1t is bitter thing to tear open par.
tally healed Wounds" Mrs. Brown con-
tinued I; s.sbut let me tell you my story.
"Several years ago 7 was about to give
a party a grand affair it was going to
be, and my head was almost turned while
making preparations. Master Charlie,
This 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 mothers heart could
desire but he was shy, and when fore
ed him into company he appeared so
awkward that felt ashamSa-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
bashfnlness, l thought. But little Char
lie never approved Of it." 81 s.;l - sr Jr
81 shall be glad when this party is
over," he said, one day; i''for since you
have got it into your head I have lost
my MOTHER eaa- sig 7c.at 81
"Poor little baby r. responded, slight
ly provoked at his lack of interest. 81
wonder how many more years shall
have you tied to nay apron strings9 !
spoke sneeringly, and instantly a proud
flush overspread his face.'' 7.
81 will be tied there no longer" he re.
turned. 81 will seek my company in the
future" -
II was frightened at the result of my
words. Still / made no response. My
son, putting on his hat and coat wen,
out. 1t was the first time in his life thai
he had ever left Inc without informing
me where he was going. 4a .s.f
"In time the party came off. 1t was
a gay affair, and Aore were gayer than
Charlie. He was sort of extremist, ,and
took no medium stand. After that his
books and work we're neglected, and his
days as well as evenings were spenl
abroad. Fast young men became his
constant companions. l was left alone
to mourn the change had wrought. A
first he made it a rule to be in at II
o'clock; but after that he began to stay
out later, and daybresk sometimes found
him from home. tried to expos.ulate
tried to win him back to his old habits
but my efforts were unavailing. He hat
got taste of new life, and it held hin
by a charm. Well do l remember tn
first night he came home in state Of in
toxication. 1t was his seventeenth birth
day, just one year from the time l hat
given the party. / had seen him unde
the influence of wine once or twice be
FORE, but this night he had drank 81
deeply that some of his companions ha'
to help him home. -
"Tbe hours of that night were dread
full hours of self.reproach and agony.
was SO glad when morning came to dis
pei the gloom-so glad when reason re
turned to my erring child. He was yer,
much ashamed. He said again AM
again be would do better; but his reso
lutions were worthless. Two nights al
ter he was again brought home intoxica
tied. 4lasi
"After that it was common occur
renee, He fell lower and lower, squan
dering all my ready money, and when
refused to mortgage my property tina
he might have more, he left me with a
oath. That night large firm was rob
bed, and it was discovered that Charli
was one of the perpetrators of the deco
The next morning the town was will
with excitement, and ! was almost dis
tracted, for.my boy had fed. The new
was passed from mouth to mouth; m
house was searched, and my son calle
a villain; but I had no power to prever
either. No one gave me word Of sym
lpathy."
"You have only yourself to blame,
said blunt old woman, who called du
ring the day. "The boy was happy
home, but you drove him into bad com
lpany." .4
| "That night, at the hour of 12,as So
alone, window was opened softly, an
1 Charlie stepped into the room. With
lglad cry I sprang toward him, but b
pushed me rudely away - s.s
| "Can you hide me anywhere p b
said ''the hounds are after me. Ha
iyou given me money yesterday th
would not have happened"
l 'Oh, Charlie" / cried. =
''Yes, mother ;, be said, sternly;; "yo
lhave made me criminal / want to te
Iyou I have secretly married Kate Has
Tings. God knows what will become {
her, as the world will not believe we al
married. She will be scorned by all"
Kate was pretty little creature, on
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