The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-29
CHARLTON'S TREASURE.
TFrom the New York Posi-

The only secret in the household of
air. and Mrs. John Amory did not be-
long to them. but had been intrusted to
their keeping by Charles Charlton. an
old friend of both. who was generally
accounted a ne'er-do-well Charlie
Charlton, before he grew bitter, used 10
say when anybody asked if there was
such a thing as luck in the world, that
there was plenty of bad luck. as his ca
reer proved. and it is true that despite
certain advantages of birth and educa-
ton this young man was born. or APP
peared to have been born, under an I'M
lucky star. His father was a rich man,
and Charlie was his only child, yet
never sought to win his boys love and
seemed not to demand his confidence.
The boy, therefore, started handicapped
in life despite material advantages.
Until I was 16 years DID, the young
man used to say, 4 don't believe my
father ever knew whether 1 went TO
school or not. He used to see me at
breakfast and dinner. but never ex-
changed a dozen words with me at
either meal If it hadn't been for poor
old Margaret, who had charge of the
house SINCE my mothers death, he
wouldn't have known if needed
clothes But did go to school-a pub
lie school-because all the other child
rem in our block went. and if 1 had
remained at home, I should have died
of loneliness. So l never missed a day.
Much good my punctuality did me-
The elder Charlton was attorney for
= few sober and safe corporations. and
nearly every night closeted himself in
his library with a mass of papers. AS
the railways and other institutions
whose interests he safeguarded had
their centers in the west, he was trOu-
bled with very little company, and until
81 taste for the theater developed in his
son, that youth used to dawdle about
the kitchen, fall asleep in the dining
room, and find the hour between dinner
DIT riiSrFRESin2lW
Ing the period of his callow time Charlie
began to try to copy pictures from the
illustrated papers, and it was not very
long before he fancied himself an ar
fist With the first scratches of his I'M
1utored pencil old Margaret proudly
proclaimed him a born painter In
fact, with considerable fear of the re-
suit. but with determination. the faith
full soul knocked at the library door one
night and showed Mr.. Charlton an ex-
ample of his sons talent. The result
justified her fear. The rugged old man
poohed-poohed the effort, tore it up,
and said:
send him to bed: he can't waste his
time so badly if he's asleep
Shortly after this. Charlie turned his
eighteenth birthday, and his father sent
for him to come into the library. Mar
garet was the messenger, and she found
the lad SpraWling over the dining table,
with water colors mixed in the saucers
and engaged in copying in color Da
Ninci's Last Supper less.
Your father wants you-what do you
be doin'?' said Margaret all in one
breath.
Look at that" exclaimed Charlie
confidently. Isn't it good?''
The cloth is as like linen as two
Pare" said Margaret admiringly, but
all, the mess you're maxim. Run away
in with you. The master wants you"
My father?'
Yes. an 1 think he'll be wantin' to
send you to school,
"BuIly!" said Charlie rising hastily,