The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-07-15
PARABLE OF CHARLEY
BY E. HoUGH.

Now it came to pass that in the
third year of the reign of Catharine,
Queen of the Earth, l became ac-
quainted with Charley.
Charley was the brother of Catha-
rine, and was good-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 rela-
tions he was an eminently correct
young man, against whom tine .ew-
est of mistakes or failures could be
urged. This, combined with the
fact that he was Catharineis brother,
was the reason for deep and undy-
ing hatred which l 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 uniailing regularity
with which he every morning ap-
peared at his desk in the pork house
he was manager in the establish
ment) was only equalled by the ex-
ceeding precision with which he dis
charged the minutest details of his
daily appointments. Now l aln
fond of the morning hour for sleep
myself, and have theory that one
will live longer if he employ it IN
sleep. Therefore | pity a man who
will continuously peril his health as
Charley does.
In the next place he was always
methodical. He was never known
to varw from his established daily
routine of business any more than i
responsible clock is observed to de-
viate from its accustomed method
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 permanent.
He had at once decided upon his
line of life, and mad never afterward
wavered in it. He had been twenty
years in the establishment VI which
ne was manager, and which he had
first entered In the capacity of fourth
book-keeper while he was yeta mere
lad.
|, myself, having tried in turn a
half dozen different occupations, all
of which proved uncongenial, ain by
nature in deadly feud with the man
who has no spice in his life.
Though | have often suspected that
il was my own cake which was all
dough.)
And then, again, be was content
ed at home. He had repeatedly re-
ceived the kindest invitations to
Join parties touring to Europe, to
Cuba, to California or to the Nation
al Park but, although abundantly
able to travel, he always declined
these propositions, saying that he
could not spare the time from busi-
ness.
Now / am passionately fond of
travel, change and excitement, and
have visited most of the leading
places of interest to tourists-al-
though myself poor man. So |
have no patience with an unambi-
tious stay-at-home.
When / add to all these things
the disgusting prosperity of the man
his house and lot; his money in the
bank his everlasting increasing sal
ary-I have enough to explain to
any rational mind the ill-will / bore
for Charley.
But that which first famed the
slumbering wrath, and well-nigh
caused me to imbrue my hands in
the hearts blood Of q fellow being
happened in this wise. had just
returned from a years residence In
California tand was searching for
employment when. as a matter Of
course, / called upon Catharine.
For Catbarine is long suffering and
kind, and 80 / am always privileged
to called upon her. As / entered
the drawing room, Catharine extend
ed her hand to me, and permitted
me to salute the tips Of her fingers.