Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-10-12
CHARLEY PERRY'S LUCK.
WON AT LAST.

" hOVhs
OR
WON AT LAST.
EaoA CONTRIBUTOR TO THE oAss CITY, MIoH.
ENTERPRISE.
CHAPTER 1.
In the village of c., in the state
Of Pennsylvania, there stood, at the
time our story opens, small frame
house of dilapidated appearance. AL
though it was inhabited, nothing in
the exterior appearance would impress
the casual observer with this fact. The
lawn in front was overgrown with
weeds, even so dense as to obstruct the
entrance. Going into the cabin, one
was made to feel the utter loneliness Of
the dwelling and its inmates. In one
corner stood what was once table.
In the opposite bed with scanty COW
ering and the centre of the room was
taken up by couple of rude chairs
which had seen better days. One was
occupied by boy, lad of seventeen
years, and the hero of our story, bright
intelligent countenance, clear eyes, in
which one could read determination
and a resolution to do what he under
took, and do it well. The other one
was occupied by a woman, a mere
wreck of her former self, and one
might see by her countenance that she
had lost all care for the future of her.
self and her son. The silence, which
had lasted for some time, was at last
broken by the son.
Mother" he said, looking up rather
quickly from his tattered and apparent.
ly well read book.
"Well. what is wanted now? Some
new whim l suppose has got into your
head"
"No, mother, not that, but"
"But what ?" said his mother, rather
snapishly.
"Well, to tell the truth. 1 am tired
of this humdrum kind of life, and am
going to start in the world for my
self"
"And fail, as such rattleheaded boys
do sooner or later. / tell you, Charley
the best way to do is to stay at home
and help your father in the shop, and
learn the trade"
20 fudge on the tradel-a cooper
Why, mother. father has worked at il
all his life and now he is no better of
than when he began, nor as Well.
am going to go to California and dig
my fortune out of the groundp'
So saying, he took lis hat and left
the house. As he passed out of the
yard, he met Squire Williams, very
wealthy man in the place, and accostet
him with:
"Good morning, Mr.. Williams; this
is pleasant morning."
Very" replied the Squire, lookinl
down at the pleasant countenance o.
the lad. "How is Mr.. Perry, you
father, this morningY'
30 as well as can be expected fol
one that confines himself to a shop al
the time. For my part, / want thu
clear open air to live in"
"How would you like to come ant
live with me on the farmw asked tn,
Squire.
First rate, If you think you would
like me well enough to give me trial.
"Well, come over tomorrow and WI
will begin"
"All right" and elated by the though
Of earning his own livelihood, he hurried
on to the shop to acquaint his fathe
with his good luck. Entering the sho]
he told his father of the proposal tn
Squire had made, and asked his opinion
of it.
"a good chance for you," said hi
father. "When do you 60 to workp"
Tomorrow"
swell, hope you will try and do a
well as you can. Only gain the Squire
good will and keep it and then yo
will get along all right"
81 mean to try and do all that ca
to please him." said Charles, and b
left the shop.
CHAPTER II.
According to his promise, Charles wa
at the 'Squire's early the next morning
ready to 60 to work and from tina
time forward, for the next three year,
he performed his labors so well that th
old Squire, although man of strio
principles, reposed strict confidence i
him, even so far as to leave entirely
him the whole control of his vast estat,
In fact, he was the overseer of all tn
farming part of the business and 8
well was the duty performed that th
people of the surrounding country wei
heard TO say that the Squire was ge
ting wealthy from the big improv,
ments made by Charley Perry, 18th
Boy Farmer" as he WAS known by I'll
villagers.
When he had been there three yea
an incident occurred which upset h
plans for life.
The Squire had an only daughter
blithe. young creature, with step lii
the bounding fawn, eyes like the gazell
hair of clear golden brown, and
form faultless in the extreme, and q
expression in her countenance that b
tokened amiability and good temper.
Mabel Williams had been reared
opulence. but she was, nevertheless.