White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-01-12

l
have beenl
We once read ola celebrated anstom-
list. who. far from admiring human beau
~. regarded the skin ax an impertinent
ohstacle to the acquisition Of science,
roncealIns. as it does, the plays of the
muscles. Whether such clear notion
as this ever entered the mind ofOur herr,
we cannot say; bnt certainly il some tall.
loan beggar passed him on the road. he
would clntch convnlsively at his knife,
and follow the man with a sad, wishful
look. So
One autumnal evening he sat in the
alehouse parlor. watching the smoke of
his pipe. and INDUCING in his own re-
hertions ; for though the conversation in
the room was noisy and animated. It hal
no interest for him. Devoted to his own
pursuits, births. deaths. and marriages.
were to him things of nought. and he pail.
no heed to the constant discussions which
were held in the village on the extraor
binary ease of old Eb~nezer GrinlstOnp.
who hal been thought extremely rich,
hut in whose honSe not farthing hal
been found after his decrease. to the great
disappointment Of his creditors.
Soon. however. there was snrh vic
lent dash of rain against the window
IN even Tom was compelled. to start
when he saw the door open. and Stran
ger enter, completely mufflel in cloak
The new conner stood before the FIRE. as
If to dry himself. and seemed to he of
the same tsciturn disposition as Tom.
TO- he made no answer TO the different
questions that were addressed to him.
nor did he even cOnaescend to look at
the speakers. The shower having ceased
and the moon shining brightly through
the window. the stranger walked out
again. without any sign of leave taking.
That he queer chap" said the U.s.
tier. "I'll run and see where he's
going''-and he followed the stranger.
who had awakened curiosity in every
one except Tom. Scarcely five minute>
had elapsed, when the ostler rushed into
the room. pale as death.
"Udls buddikins ~ said he: and it
was not before glass Of spirits had been
poured down his throat. that he could
state the cause Of his alarm. ''Old chap
inst gone out-got no proper face Ike;
only a deaths head-he Just looked
round on me in the moonlight"
do you mean TO say" exclaimed
Tom, THAT is nothing but skeleton ?"
"Aye-sure l do" said the ostler.
"And which way did he 60 -
"Whv, towards the churchyard. sure"
Tom aited for no more. but daShing
Town his pipe. he rushed ont Of the room.
and tore along the road to the church
ward. When he had got there. he saw
the stranger standing by the tomb of old
Ebenpzar Grindstone The moon was
shining full dawn. leaving nothing but
hare skeleton before him.
"Thank my stars!'' exclaimed Tom.
Il have seen a skeleton at last"
Young man." said the skeleton in
hollow voice. while it hideol>ly novel
its Jaws. "Attendi"
GLOW berutifnI." cried Tom. enrap
tnrei. "can l see the play Of the lower
maxillary 70
"Attend!" repeated the skeleton; "but.
rash man. what are you abont?" it al
led. turning snddlnly rounA The fact
is. Tom was running his finger down the
veriehTe. and counting to see If their mum
her co, re<ponded wth that given in his
hook ''S-ven repvical. twelve dorsal."
he cried. with immense glee.
The skeleton lost all patience. and
raising his arm. shook his hist angr'ly al
Tom. who. win his eyes ixei on the
elbow. merely shodted his joy, at pei
reiving the ''ginglymoid" movement.
The skeleton. who hal Leen arcnstom-
At to terrify other people. was complete
" ak,azeI NJ the scientific position taken
Ivy the Young snatomiSt. In Tact, THE
most pxtraor iinary scene that can hs con
ceived presently occurred. for the apparI-
tion. feeling paRic-strurk at Toms cool
hess and $. ientific spirit. darte,l away
from him. and endeavorei 20 esea e by
dodging among the iomhstnnes. Tom
was too Anxions to pur<ne HIS stuhIes 10
allow himselfto he hsfflrd in this way );
and patting forth all his strength, soon
overlook the skeleton. AMI held him tight
A conversation ea,ued. in the course OF
which the skeleton explained thai. he was
OLD Griu.lstone himself. who had hurie !
a quantity of money Hnder grorfed. and
coull not rest in peace till i was ding up
and distributed among his CREDITOR,
This off 9 he requested Tom 20 preIersn-
1T will he some trouble. said ION.
"and the affair il none Of miDe-but look
here-Pll willingly comply with yonr
request. IL. as reward. you will allow
me to come and study with you every
nigh. for the next month. 1on may
then retire to rest for as long time as
Won please. +" --g Glh
"AgresIl." said the skeleton and.
quite recovered from his alarm. he shook
hands with Tom in ratification OF the
bargain. a s1Hlatf- p fEf,
Tom found the money. distri6uted Il
among his creditors, and passed eve
night for the next month in the old
churchyard. observing his beloved Skeie-