Charles Van Horne
No. 50 in the Cobblestone Circle Series
Mayor Charles Van Horne has always viewed his job as a responsibility to look after the townsfolk of Cobblestone Circle ~ much as a parent tries to provide what is needed by their children. And in all his years as mayor, he would be hard pressed to pick a prouder moment than today. There it is ~ right on the front page of the Daily Gazette! After months of discussions between the two villages, the project for the shorter train route through Cobble Hill to Bramberry has been approved. Not only will this provide better access for his citizens to the University, it will result in more business for the shops in Cobblestone Circle.
Not everyone had been in favor of this change, and truth be told it took every bit of charisma and political savvy inside him to convince some of them that it was a good idea. There had been a clear division between the people who saw it as a wonderful step forward and those concerned about losing the charm and history provided by the current route through the forest near the lake.
Oh, there was quite the hub-bub at the meeting last night of the Cobblestone Circle Preservation Society when Mimsy Shrewsbury expounded on the importance of providing memories for the youth of today similar to the ones she treasures most dearly ~ memories of travelling with her father on what she proclaimed can only be called a magical journey beside the calming waters into the deep darkness of the forest where she is quite certain to this day that she saw a small dragon wink at her.
And so it was as with most conflicts ~ a compromise was reached. The tunnel project and new route will proceed as proposed, but once each day the train will continue to chug along the existing path. Charles cannot help but chuckle that the turning point in the debate had been when he pointed out to Mimsy that the view as you emerge from the new tunnel and look down across Cobblestone Circle will be breathtaking with the lush forest, sparkling water and lighthouse in the background ~ so much better for spotting flying dragons!
Charles is made from tan long pile cashmere
mini bear fabric. His tail is tan leather cording and he
measures just under 3 inches to the top of his head.
Charles was never one to dress conservatively and today he is wearing
his navy and white pinstriped trousers, yellow vest and a lively printed shirt.
There are teeny tiny blue seed bead buttons on the shirt and vest.
He thinks the pinstripes make him look thinner ~ though his wife,
Dottie, has informed him that nothing can hide his paunch of a tummy.
She insists they begin taking more walks in the evenings.
Dottie is also not pleased when he picks up that pipe of his.
But I am sure he felt today merited a celebratory smoke.
The pipe is made of wood with white mohair smoke.
It is permanently attached to his hand.
Charles will bring his removable wire spectacles and two newspapers
with him ~ each measuring 1 by 1¾ inches.
