The following story about Sir Charles appeared in the Isle of Wight County Press in 1889:

Many years ago, a dear old friend, an artist, was making sketches of the coast of the Isle of Wight. Wishing to find his way to the shore at Brooke, he accosted a man whom he chanced to see ...

The following story about Sir Charles appeared in the Isle of Wight County Press in 1889:

Many years ago, a dear old friend, an artist, was making sketches of the coast of the Isle of Wight. Wishing to find his way to the shore at Brooke, he accosted a man whom he chanced to see before him closing a gate. The man was wearing a long and much used mackintosh and slouched hat, and had a long hoe in his hand.

Addressing him, the artist enquired the way to the shore at Brooke. The man replied ‘I be going that way.’ So they walked together, and coming to a field of fine wheat, the man stopped to look at it over the gate. My friend asked whose it was, and the man answered ‘Oh, that belongs to the lord of the manor.’ On asking whether there was a short cut across the fields to the seashore, the artist received the reply ‘Why yes, only it would be trespassing, and the lord of the manor is sure to see us.’ Not being a law breaker, my friend trudged along the road, stopping only to admire the sheep and the crops, all of which his companion informed him belonged to the lord of the manor. On arriving at a narrow road which turned to the left of the highway, the large old elm trees over-shadowing it with their branches, my friend’s guide said it led to Brooke. Presently a fine old house became visible, standing in its park-like grounds, and the artist’s question ‘Who lives there?’ and the reply came ‘Oh, the lord of the manor.’ ‘But who is this lord of the manor?’ inquired my friend, and his companion, turning and facing him, with body erect, left arm outstretched, and hoe in hand, said ‘Why, I be the lord of the manor,’ at the same time giving the artist a kindly grip of the hand and a hearty welcome to the hospitality of his home.