He would drive into the barnyard and tie his horse to an iron weight with a ring that he carried with him. Then, he'd knock on the door and invite Mother and Dad - if he could catch him - to come and inspect his wares.
And such wares they were!
Because he had the wagon room, he carried whole bolts of dress goods -cottons, and even real silk.
There were hats - bowlers, straw kateys, work caps, wood hoods and sunbonnets - and in time, such new items as linen dusters, silk scarves and goggles for use in the new-fangled automobiles.
All sorts of household items also were packed into that wagon-tin-ware, wooden boxes made by the Shakers and galvanized half-bushel measures, one of which I still have, as they never wear out.
Brooms made by the Mattoon Broom Factory in Sumner were sometimes part of Charley's inventory - regular sweeping brooms, whiskbrooms and, once at least, a small child's toy broom festooned with a bright red handle.
I begged Mother to get one of the toy brooms for my new little sister, even though it would be several years before she could use it. I thought I could try it out in the meantime.
Charley also carried sweet spices, pepper and baking powder. And horse liniment, which Dad always bought. The stuff was reported "good for man or beast," and surely soothed old Bill's sore shoulders.
When Charley brought out his fancy boxed soaps, he was sure of a sale to Mother, whose normal fare was homemade laundry or "Grandpa's Pine Tar" soap. I remember a transparent amber-colored bar that came in a fancy wrapper and that Mother would let us children use.