St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-21
PARABLE OF CHARLEY.
she VIII Make n Good Husband 1
Am SyFe.,,


of the reign of Catharine, queen of the
earth, became acquainted with Charley.
Charley WAS the brother of Catharine,
and was a g@Od-looking, solid, respectable
kind of a fellow, with square shoulders,
ruddy face, blonde beard, and full blue
eye, whose glance fell upon you like shaft.
In all his social and business relations he
was an eminently correct young man, against
whom the fewest of mistakes or failures
could be urged. This, combined with the
fact that he was Catharine's brother, was
the reason for deep and mdying hatred
which / bore him-a hatred which for a long
time seemed capable of being appeased only
by gore.
In the first place, he was always punctual.
The unfailing regularity with which he
every morning appeared at his desk in the
pork house Che was manager in the eStab
lishment). was only eQualed by the exceeding
precision with which he discharged the min
utest details of his daily appointments.
Now | am fond of the morning hour for
sleep, and have theory that one will live
longer if he employ it in sleep. There
fore pity man who will continuously
peril his health as Charles does.
In the next place he was always methOdi-
cal. He was never known to vary from his
established daily routine of business any
more than responsible clock is observed to
deviate from its accustomed methods of
beating seconds. Being disposed myself to
think that all is well that ends well, can
feel nothing but contempt for a man who is
such a mere machine.
In the next place he was stable and per-
manent.
He had at once decided upon his line of
life. and had never afterward wavered in it.
He had been twelve Years in the establish
ment Of which he was manager, and which
he first entered in the capacity of fourth
bOokkeeper while he was yet mere lad.
|. myself. having tried III turn a half
dozen different occupations, all of which
proved uncOngenial. am by nature i'm deadly
feud with the man who has no spice in his
life. (Though L have often suspected that
it was my own cake that was all dough-
And then, again, he was contented at
home. He had repeatedly received the
kindest invitations TO join parties touring to
Europe. to Cuba, to California, or to the
National park but. always abundantly able
to travel, he always declined these PROPOSE
tons. saying that he could not spare the
time from business.
Now l am paSsiOnately fond of travel.
change and excitement. and have visited
most of the leading places of interest 10
tourists, although myself poor man. So
/ have no patience with an unambitouS
Stay-at-hOme.
When | add to all these things the dis
gushing prosperity of the man; his house
and lot, his money i'll the bank. his ever
lastingly increasing salary-I have enough
to explain TO any rational mind the ill-will
bore for Charley.
But that which first famed the Slumber-
ing fires of my wrath, and well-nigh caused
me to imbrue my hands in the hearts blood
of a felow-being, happened in this wise.
had just returned from years residence in
CaifOrnia-and was searching for employ
ment-when, as a matter of course l called
upon Catharne. For Catharine is long Suf-
fering and kind, and so L am always priv
LEGGED to call upon her. as | entered the
drawing-rOom Catharine extended her hand
to me, and permitted me to salute the tips
of her fingers. Il often wondered whether.
if had 500 000 she would not-but no
matter!) Then | sat down and proposed TO
tell her all about my experiences i'm the
west. Catharine listened politely for a
time--She is the politest person,-and then
gently told me she did not care to hear
about my western life.
An awkward pause ensued, and at length
Catharine remarked:
Ibid L ever tell you Of the offer Charley
had to go in charge of an excursion to Cali
formal"
! remarked that she never had.
Yes; he could have gone for nothing,
and have remained 4 month. The firm
wished him TO 20, and told him he needed
rest. But he would not 90. Charley is
such a hand TO stay at home and stick TO
business
L pleasantly changed the topic. and began
TO speak of some of the young lady ac-
luaintanceS | had met since my return. re-
marking how glad they seemed to see me.
Did you see Hattie Coswell?" asked
Catharne.
"Oh, yes; and she-'
They say that she is quite well pleased
With Charley. But Charley is general IA
Vorite with the ladies, although | believe
ne hardly understands why they flock
about him SO-or perhaps, indeed, never
suspect that they do at ALL"
He has no heart, perhaps" said !. some
what acridly.
Indeed, sir, you quite mistake! | am
Fery sure he has heart and manly one.
At that | think he will pay little attention
% the ladies until he has attained his sta
lion in life, and made a home for himself:
then, think, he will not make much stir
about it, but viii just get married.
Catharne sighed a little sigh, which she
checked at once. l changed the subject.
talked of my business plans. She listened
for time, and then said suddenly, as if she
had thought of it:
Charley never talks of business TO us
women. although he manages the business
Of the whole family. He thinks the men
ought to attend to the business"
May the foul ficnd fly away with Char
ey!' thought 1.
| gayly fell upon another theme, and
asked Catherine to admire my new coat.
Yes; it is very pretty" said she. Then.
after moment, 81 do think Charley has
The fewest suits to look so well as he does.
But he is economical in everything. He
will make a good husband. Charley willr'
l resolved for the twentieth time to MUIR
der Charley, and soon after excused myself
and retired.
1t was not long after this fell danger
ously i'll, being confined to my bed for some
weeks. My condition became so alarming
hat was visited and constantly attended
by Catharine, who proved herself a most
devoted and efficient nurse so that (although