Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-10-25
I" Old CharlIe.o

Old Churlie.O
The following interesting story ap-
pears in q number of the London Chit
iren's Friend. 1t is said to be q true
story, the lame farmer being still alive,
and weekly visitor of the Covent Gar
den:
-Four years ago, when strolling in the
neighborhood of Shooters Hill, on a
summer afternoon, 1 overlook a market
cart returning from London. The driver,
whom I also found to be the owner,
hmped merrilY alongside the vehicle,
and had such a pleasant smile that I
could not help falling into conversation
with him. After we had chatted some
time he referred to his lameness, and
told me the following story:
"Forty-fve years ago was a very
little lad, and 1 lived with my father at
the very same farm that now own my
self, and which you can see yonder to
the left of that clump of trees. Like
myself, he was very fond of horses and
dogs and cocks and hens, and all sorts of
animals. never saw him lose his
temper, except when he came upon some
one abusing a dumb creature. That's
the sort of man father was. He's dead
now, and sure am that when he died
there wasn't living thing about the
farm that didn't miss him sorely. Well,
when l was little lad about six years
old, was sent on an errand along with
my brother, who was year younger, to
the next farm. Our way led us through
an orchard that belonged to father, and
into this orchard he used to turn any
horse that was getting too old for work.
so that it might enjoy itself as much as
it could. Now on the day that my
brother and we're passing through the
orchard, 'Old Charlie, favorite horse
OF fathers, was in sole possession of the
place. When he saw us, he gave q
pleasant neigh, as much as to say,
Good morning, my little masters and
then he went on cropping at the grass.
The time was autumn, and the windfalls
were lying thickly at the foot of the
apple trees. l knew it was wrong even
to touch them, but they looked so nice
that I was tempted to take few. I
had no sooner put them in my pinafore
than Old Charlie came up to me, shak-
ing his head and looking quite angrily.
1 had never seen Old Charlie do this
before, and was frightened and ran,
and the old horse after me. There
happened to be hole in the hedge,
through which crawled, and think
saved myself from being trampled down
by the horse. It did not offer to inter.
fere with my brother. From that day
forward Charlie would never allow me
TO enter the orchard. But now about my
lameness. When about eight years ole
l was sent to an uncle, farmer in Suf
folk, and never saw home again till ]
was fourteen. Old Charlie was as live
like as ever. I thought l would risk
visit to the orchard. When I looked
over the gate, he did not take the slight
est notice of me. I did not know tina
he had gone blind since I had last seer
him. 1 went into the orchard, but hat
not gone many steps when Charlie cam,
up and shifted me all over; he then CAV,
an angry shake, and raising one of BIZ
forefeet let it fall heavily on my left foot
and held me fixed to the spot till m,
cries of pain brought some of the labor
ers to my rescue. I was carried to bed
the doctor was sent for, who said tina
some of the bones of my foot wer,
broken beyond mending. And 80 ",
been lame one, and limper ever since
and all through pilfering half doze1
apples"
We had reached the lane leading Il
his farm. [ thanked him for his story
and we wished each other good-by.