, 1876-09-03
ALL ABOUT j" CHARLIE"

"'Hashih
This Was the familiar greeting Of one young
! man to another, as they met on LaSa1le street,
near the Chamber Of Commerce.
A s'Granger'' would have thought that they
were about to discuss the fare at respective
boarding houses; but such, however, was not
their intention. "'Hash' was but an ab-
breviation OF Ahasuerus, the name Of the
young man addressed, who Was student in
- d &-'s 1aw-offce.
Ahasuerus stopped and curiously regarded his
inquisltor.
"Halloo!"
"Have you seen the morning TRrBuSEE'
"No. Why!"
"Therc's piece Of poetry in it by 'sL1lian
Lee" wonder if you know who Lillian Lee ,
is2'
"Why, no, couldn't imagine" said Ahas-
uerus, with look Of confusion.
he turned away with flushed face and hur-
ried down Washington street, to avoid being
further questioned. he knew, to certainty,
who LILLIAN Lee' was, but he was bound by a
solemn promise not to tell. LILLIAN Lee" Was
the nom de plume Of romantic young lady
who lived on Ashland avenue. to whom he was
He walked away, whistling joyful air, and
in 4 very happy frame Of mind.
ssAhn' be thought to himself, il there's
anything like it's poetry. suppose Jane has
been writing something to me; wonder Il she
put my whole name IN, or only my initialsl''
q newsboy, Of whom he purchased q morning
TRIBUNE. To the astonishment Of the ''gam-
tn," he declined to take any change; tnen he
rushed up stairs to his office, spread the news
paper out upon his desk, and begau to scan its
columns with eager attention. Imagine his dis
may and modification as his eyes Tell upon the
following lines:
TO CHAkL1E.
The summer breeze signs through tho trees
The day is bright and fair;
You watch the with your dreamy eyes
stroke your si]ken hair.
Ahasuerus fercely c1cnched his hand. aud
brought his list duWu upon his rickety desk
with such force As to cause the pens and pencils
to leap from the tray, and the old inkstand to
60 through an astonishing acrobatic perform
ance.
sFalse! false!" he hissed between his close
ly-shut teeth; "but she shall rue it. Charlie
ha! Stroke bis silken hair He'd better not
cross mr. path if he wants to have whole skin.
Stroke bis hair!' thst's an old trick OF hers
But what else has the false siren got to say:"
Ny heart is Light. my hopes are bright
And beautiful to-day;
The words whisper in your ear
Tour tongue will not betray.
Come nearer now; I'll tell you hon
love and am beloved
Overcome By his feelings, Ahasuerus could
read no further; lie crushed the paper In bis
hand, and cast it Indignantly upon the floor.
Then he unlocked private drawer, and drew
forth small parcel.
1t contained bit of blue ribbon, photo
graph, faded geranium-leaf, a pockct-hand-
kerchief, soiled glove, and number OF letters
written by feminine hand. lie deliberately
looked them over, to see that nothing was miss
ing; then, hiring small boy, he gave him ear
ticket, aud dispatched him with the onee-pre-
cious parcel to the house OF his late love, to-
gether With the following brief note:
Ny dream is ever. You are frcel 1 return your
letters, with the assurance that you can longer
trite with the feelings OF AuAsCERUs.
In about an hour the boy returned from Ash
land avenue, with this reply:
MY DARLING: There is some dreadful mistake
What can it all mean? You know that my heart is
yours. Trust me, then. Come and see me to-
night. will be true to you always. JANE.
Ahasuerus passed an anxious day. When
twilight came, he was seen hurriedly walking
south on Ashland avenue.
She met him at the door.
II have come as you wished" be said in
sepulchral voice.
'.And am SO glad to see you," she said
kindly. 1' How could you doubt me? What
troubles you! What makes you talk and look
SO strangea''
"But tChaylien ~ he asked in husky voice.
Il who is this olious charlie 9''
She burst into a hearty laugh, while her feat
tires underwent wonlrous Transformation.
''Oh! ha, ha! you saw the paper did you?
Why! ha, ha! Charlie is the name Of Inv cAr.'
OAK PARK, Ill. EUGENE J. HALL.