National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-07-12
THE SKELETON IN MIR. BULBO'S
CLOSET.

Mr. BuIbO was GcClueUiV nervous on I MS
evening. He was more than fideety; for.
besides constant change Of position, he cast
quick looks behind hlm, as il be beard
some one and made many vain attempts
to whistle. His room was pleasant his
chair comfortable his tobacco, excellent,
and his pipe coloring in most enviablc
manner; but he frowned as he shifted
about and finally sprang mp with groan.
Behind him was a small closet where his
bachelor odds and ends were thrust. and
now he ierked the door open and eagerly
examined the interior.
Wbat was the matter with Mr.. Bubo 2
He appeared to be well, being rosy and
active He was a pleasant looking man.
no. vet troubled with age, as he had not
even reached the youth OF forty sum-
mers' He was rather prosperous in bus
mess had pleasant circle of friends. and
no incumbrances. To look into his frank
sunny face-for Wash Bulbo This name
was not an unfamiliar one to patriotic
Amcricars an' had been thus abbreviated)
was GOOD fcllov-to interrogate his
BRIGHT blue eyes. no one would suspec
that Mr.. Bulbo WIS anv thine but the
happiest of men. But he had a secret
trouble which so proved apon hlm that
he was losing lis spirits. and felt as if he
was haunted BY an actnal presence. II
pursued him III the streets, sought him in
h' office, but was most vital in its attacks
IN his own room during the hitherto cheer
ful hours which he had spent with his
book and pipe II its dreadful bony form
could only be shut in his closet fastened
N Bnt no sooner was he seated than il
would steal ont. whisper its wretched
suggestions in his ear. and would drive him
on to the full deed against his will unless
he could find some wav to stihe it.
It was this thar stole Mr. Bulho's sleep
DESTROYED his appetite, and drove him from
state Of bliSsful unconsciousness to a
condition of rueful wretchedness. For
more than week he had nailed up the
closet door-gone without his overshoes
for that length OF time, as they were
there bestowed and bad caught bad cold
in consequence. as, perversly enough,
the weather seemed in league with his
tormentor, and storms were rife. He had
left town and spent several nights with
friend. but there had been no escape tor
him and now he had returned to renew
the conflict or die.
Here he was. as badly off as before, for
there was no use trying to read or divert
himself in any wav. Some actual plan
must be devised and put into immediate
execution; and as he walked his room,
b1ying thrown open all the windows to
give himself as much relief as possible, he
reviewed the circumstances which bad
placed him in this unpleasant position.
A little more than a year ago the first
stroke had fallen upon him as he was en-
joyins his pipe in the twilight. The post
mans ring had not hitherto annoyed him,
snd he gave it no thought as be went to
the closet for his tobacco pouch. and
quietly said "Comc in" in response to
The knock which moment later Jared
lts door. But his mood changed as he resd
the letter which was put into his hands.
On breaking the envelope dainty note.
With dark lines OF grief on the edges end
delicate tlacery in a feminine hand within,
futtcrcd into bis lap, while a heavy,
darkly written sheet Topped boldly on the
foor II read first bit from one, then
from the other. in some confusion and |
dsmay. The gist of both was that Horace
Francis, an old friend of his fathers. had |
lately deceased, and left Mr.. Bulbo in
charge of his daughter Mary's property |
until she should attain her majority.
Hearing such fine reports OF your
business capacity, and having been so well
beloved of your father, select you Of all |
other men in the world. dear Bnlbo,"
the dying man had written. The fortune
was large and had many cumbersome de-
tails; but Mr.. Bulbo, for the sake of the
trust, and with a certain pride in the ap
probation of his abilities gladly under
took to discharge the obligation. The
lady had forwarded her fathers letter.
and heygea that all communication be held
with her lawyer. es she hardly felt like
meeting strangers at present. Mr.. Bulbo
with much trouble to himself, taken con
sclentious charge of the property, often
being obliged to neglect his own business,
out had never seen the lady. their com
in,nnlcation having been entirely through
Ihe lawyer. Now, in his own room. rs
ne thought of the reasons. he dashed his
lands into his dressing gown pockets, and
ialf,y howled; in the midst of which
.oulition he rushed into the closet. threw
.ne letters on the floor. and piled boxes,
po9ts, books, every thing he could get
mold of. over them.
n an he. Bulbol George Washington
oaloo!--a man most s"rupulous on such
p'lnts. Could he not strangle that
snedowless monster! What if he was
Poorf If he had been rich he would
nave done the same-he. who bad come
s snd gone in this famous city Of Brookley
i;s iur Ten years, treading hi. quiet path of
,ue uncriticised. He bad never used his
%ouest wit against any one more than to
give hArmlasa fhrnsf at a fellax. .suffarer