The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-10-03
The Skeleton in BuIbo's Closet.

The Skeleton in Bubo's Closet.
Mr.. Bulbo was decidedly nervous on
this evening. He was more than tidgety :;
for beside constant change OF position, he
east quick looks behind him. as if he heard
some one, and made many attemps TO
whistle. His room was pleasant, his chair
comiortabe. his tobacco excellent, and
his pipe cooring in a most rnvilblc man
ner but he irowned as he shifted about.
and finally sprang up with u groan, Be
hind him was II small closet where his
bachelor odds and ends were hastily
thrust, and now he jerkcd the door open
and eagerly examined the interior.
'Such tool!" he calculated, as he
slammed the door, taking up book res@-
luteiy, determined to read
What was the matter with Mr.. Bulbo !?
He appeared to be we'll, being rosy and
active. He was Il pleasant looking man,
not yet troubled with age, rs he had not
yet reached the "youth of forty summers "
He was rather prosperous in business, had
II pleasant circle OF friends and no ncum-
hrances. 70 look in his frank, sunny
lace-Wash Bulbo (his name was not an
unfamiliar one To patriotic Americans,
and had been thus abbrcviated) was n
good icllow-to nterrogate his bright
blue eyes no one would suspect that Mr..
Bnlbo was any thing hut the happiest of
men, Bnt he had n secret trouble which
SD preyed upon him that he was losing
his spirits, and felt rs if he was haunted
hy an actual presence. 1t pursued him
in the street, sought him in his office, but
was the most vital in IFS attack in his own
room during the hitherto cheerful hours
he had spent with his book and pipe If
its dreadful bony form could be shut in
his closet-tastencl in But no sooner
was he seated than it would steal ont,
whisper its wretched suggestions in his
ear, and would drive him on to the fell
deed against his will unless he could find
some way to stfle it.
1t was this that stole Mr. Bulbo's sleep,
destroyed his appetite, and drove him
from Il state of bliSsful unconsciousness
TO Il condition OF ruclul wrcichedncss.
For more than a week he had nailed up
the closet door-gOne without his over
shoes for that length OF time, as they were
there bestowed, and had caught a bad cold
IN consequences, as pervcrsely enough the
weather seemed i'll league with his tor
mentors, and storms were rife. He
had left town and spent several nights
with y friend, but there had been no es-
cape for him, and now he had returned
to renew the conflict or die.
Here he was us badly of as before, Tor
there was no use trying TO read or divert
himself in any way. Some actual plan
must be devised and put into immediate
execution; and as he walked his room,
and thrown open all the windows to give
himself us much relief as possible, he re-
viewed the circumstances which had
placed him in this unpleasant position.
A little more than a year ago the first
stroke had fallen upon him as he was en-
ioying his pipe in the twilight The post
mans ring had not hitherto annoyed him,
| and he gave it no thought as he went to the
| closet tor his tobacco pouch and quietly
said, Come in" in response TO the knock
which q moment later had. Jared his door.
But his mood changed us he read the letter
which was put into his hands.
On breaking the envelope Il dainty note,
with dark lines Of grief on the edges and
delicate tracery in remininc hand within,
tlutt"red into his lap, while 4 heavy. dark
ly written sheet Topped boldly on the
floor. He read first a bit from one, then
from the other, in some confusion and dis
may. The grisi Of both was that Horace
Francis. an old friend of his fathers, had
lately deceased and left Mr.. Rulbo in
charge of his daughter Mary's property
until she should attain her majority.
clearing the fine reports OF yonr bust
ness capacity, and having been so well
beloved of your father, | select you of all
other men in the world, dear Bnlbo," the
4
large and had many cumbersome details :;
but Mr.. Bulbo for lhe sake Of the trust,
and with a certain pride in the apprecia-
ton of his ability, gladly undertook to
discharge the obligation. The lady had
forwarded her fathers letter. and begged
that all communication be held with her
lawyer, as she hardly felt like meeting
strangers ut present. Mr.. Bnlbo had ac
quicsced, and for ycal now had, with
much trouble to himself, taken conscien-
tions charge of the property, often being
obliged to neglect his own business hnt
had never seen the lady, their commune
cation having been entirely through the
lawyer Now, in his own room, as he
thought of the reasons, he dashed his
hands into his dressing-gown pockets,
and fairly howlch: in the midst OF which
ebullition he rushed into the closet, threw
the letters on the floor, and piled boxes,
boots, books, everything he could get
hold OF. over them.
Ach he, Bulbo! George Washington
Bulbo ia man most scrnpnlous on such
points, could not strangle that shadowless
monster? What if he was poor? IF he
had been rich he would have done the
same-he, who had come and gone in this
famous city Of Brookley sfor ten years,
treading his quiet path Of life uncriticsed.
He had never used his modest wit against
any one more than to give harmless
thrust at q iellow-sulf'erer for the benefit
of his pretty, much-abused companion at
some amiable 'tcafight," where ones
friends are served up hot with the fragrant
urn, and their favorite foibles form an
appotizing sauce for the tempting rasher.
Why did this come upon him? He was
pursued night and day; the very air was
full of whispers; even haunted in his own
chambers; no secret place where he could
escape. eyes" every one said, ''he will
marry her." "See how he looks after the
property" "'That's a nice nest-egg for
him, and no motherin-law." "Observe
how the sly rogue keeps the rest away
lucky dog" Then to him: "When will
the happy event come off, eh. Bulbo ?"
Clapping him on the shoulder, 81 say you
We're born with gold spoon in vour
mouth" Protestations were of no avail
his most sincere acts We're against him.
1t was fairly uncomfortable. Something
must be done. He had thought of suicide,
but that would never do, for then the
voiceful torment would bring upon his
lnanimate body and proclaim in far-reach-
ing tones. "IIe proposed, and she Tilted