The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-03-14
"a skeleton In Every House. j.

=
"a Skcicton tn Every House,
Some time since an inquiry was made in
our columns for the story on which was
founded the saying, "There is a skeleton in
every house," 1t is long since it has been
in print, and it will BIO new to many who are
familiar with the truthful and suggestive
nroyerb. Ii is found in Waldie's Circula-/
ting Library for August &c, 1884, where it
was copied from Chambers Journal.
A widow Of Naples, the Countess Corsini,
had but one remaining son to give her an in
terest in life. lie was remarkable for the ell
egance Of his person, Us we'll as for every
amiable and graceful quality. When grown,
this young gentleman was sent to pursue his
studies at the University Of Bologna, where
he became one Of the most distinguished
scholars, and gained the affection Of all who
knew him by his singularly noble character.
just as he was completing his studies, and
was about to return to Naples, he was seized
with a dangerous illness, which, notwith-
standing the efforts of the best physicians in
Bologna, brought him in three days to the
brink of the grave. Seeing he could not sur
yive, his only care, so far as the world was
concerned, was for his mother, and it was
his most anxious wish that some means should
come. lie finally resorted to this expedient !:
He wrote to his mother informing her Of his
illness, but not Of its threatening character,
and requesting that she would send him
shirt made by the happiest lady in all Ma
pies, or she who appeared most free from
the cares and SORROWS Of this world, for be
had taken fancy that by wearing such an
article he should be speedily cured. The
Countess thought her sons request rather
singular, but being 10th to refuse him, lmme-
diately set about her inquiry for the happi-
est lady in Naples. Her efforts were tedious
and difficult; every body she could think of,
or who was pointed out to her, was found,
on searching nearer, to have her own share
of troubles. She was at length introduced
to one, who not only appeared to have all
the materials Of worldly bliss, but bore every
external mark Of being cheerful, and con-
tented in her situation. To this fortunate
lady the Countess preferred her request, ma
king the circumstances OF the case an excuse
for so strange an application. "My dear
Countess" said the lady, "spare all apology,
for If | were really qualified for the task,
would gladly undertake it. But il you will
follow me to another room, l will prove to
you that am not the most miserable woma
in Naples" Sosaylng she led the Countess
to remote chamber, where there was moth
ing apparently but curtain hung from the
ceiling to the floor. This being drawn aside,
she disclosed, to the horror Of her visitor, a
skeleton suspended from beam. so, dread.
full 20 exclaimed the Countess, sswhat means
this ?" The lady regarded her mournfully
and said, after moments silence, ssThis
was youth who loved me before my mar
riage, and with whom was obliged to part
when my relations compelled me to marry
my present husband. Afterward we renewed
our acquaintance, and my husband, in his
impotence at finding him in my presence one
day, drew his sword, and run him through
the heart. He afterward caused his skeleton
TO be suspended here, and every night and
morning, since then, has compelled me to
come and view these remains. To the world
may bear cheerful aspect, and seem pos
sessed Of all the comforts Of life, but you
may judge if | can really be entitled to the
reputation you have given me, or am quail
fed to execute your sons commission" The
Countess Corsini readily acknowledged tina,
her situation was most miserable, and retired
to her own house. "Alas /" said she to her
self, emo one is exempt from the distresses
and sorrows OF life there 10 q skeleton ia
every house,"
/ When she reached home, she found let.
ter informing her Of the death Of her SON.
This terrible news would have overturned
her reason, or broken her heart, had not the
foresight Of her son prepared her to feel tina,
others had sorrows as great a. her own, and
in alternating them her own were lightenod.
/ A y4sxss SS7osr.-Ths Yankees, 40
told, take tho advantage Of the cannibal pro-
pensities in the rats. A clever Yankee being
much troubled with rats, and being deter.
mined to get rid OF them, tried every posi-
BILE plan, but without success. AT last he
got lot OF rats and shut them in . cage;
they devoured one another until only single
one was left. lie then turned this one loose,
who, excited with the blood of his fellow
rats, and having become genuine cannibal,
killed and ate all the wild rats he could find
on the premises.-l Buckland's Natl His
tory.
GDA Mr.. Beale, of Ohio, has received
$500 from railway corporation for having
been elected from the oars BY = conductor, to
whom he had refused to pay the extra five
cents for ticket purchased in the oars.
u An immense edition OF the late de-
bate in the IL s. Ennot0 ~ .h:Nh nnr~lAs