Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-02-17
Written for the Wing and Tribune.
THE SKELETON IN MABEL'S
CUPBOARD.
BY MRS. JENNIE s. PERKINS.

"What q happy woman Mabel
Foster must be-" remarked Sudle
West to her aunt, (Sudie and her
aunt were both poor and had to
work very hardy 'Do you think so
child,n replied her aged aunt, look
ing up from under her iron framed
spectacles and broad frilled calico
cap; s,,obo,,,o
ing happy? Every thing that 1t
takes to make up the sum of human
happiness is in reach of that fortu-
nate woman. Beautiful house, ele-
CANT furniture, fine clothes, and a
handsome husband, with his pockets
full of money, who INDUCES her
every wish. No wonder her blue
ewes are always bright, when she
has such lovely hats to shade them;
why should they ever be dim or
heavy. when She never has to
| drudge and to toll, like slave with
out pay or thanks?"
| "They are heavy and dim, never
theless, Sudie, for Mabel, happy as
| YOU think her, like the rest of us
has a skeleton in her cupboard -
go. no, aunty, can never believe
| that-it is too fine--made only to
hold goodies that the very thought
of makes my mouth water; as for all
the skeletons that it contains l wish
that 1 could fall heir to them, cup
board and ALL"
at is there Notwithstanding
though the hinges be gold, and thC
doors crystal, and none the lesi
lhideous for being enscOnced in 81
fine place" The Young girl wht
was taking such an exaggerated
view of Mabel Fosters happiness
was q healthy, bright eyed, hand
, some brunette, VII o rose with tn
lark and was almost as happy as sh
sang her vespers and mathis, Will
performing her daily task in tn
brown old farm house, nestlet
down in the green valley Of Shen
andoah.
Mabel Foster was the only chill
of wealthy parents; and had bee
) accustomed TO ease and luxury a
of her life. She was the pet of sc
ciety, and far more amiable tha
people so situated usually are.
Rich and beautiful in early you'll
she had been the envy of man
q to whom fortune seemed less pa
tial. She had shone ga bright, pa
ticular star" in the gay circles
fashion, till at length she entered Il
state of matrimony with a han,
It some, and distinguished psrtnt
amid all the glitter and pomp
wealth, and after an extensive wet
. ding tour, settled down in a magn
= ficent mansion; surrounded by lawl
R. of emerald greenness, and brigh
musical waters.
This was the out side view attra
tive 10 the eve; the in side the wor
saw not. The fleshless skeletC
e whose long bony fingers was e
tended in mockery at her, al
who "grinned horribly a ghast
:, smile" at her disappOintments, W
there. immovably fired as the 81
veno above the chamber door of I
p. poet. -,.-.,.... =,
horrid presence first sent death
chill to her heart, and almost fro
the tide of life in its retiuent flo
1t was the night of grand ball,
first wear of her eHtree in socie
She had dressed that evening-oc(
n pied sole with one thOught-hI
y inc only one object in view, that W
to please the eye, and win the hei
of Everard Graham.
He had shown her no more attt
ton than other gentlemen of
acquaintance, yet she loved him,
he was her ideal of manly peri
y ton. Mabel was no coquette, bu
y. true hearted, loving woman; q
Eyerard Graham was noble spt
men OF mankind, worthy to v
- and wear the fairest flower in
y human garden that surrounded h
Glow can he help admiring Il
she mentally exclaimed, as the
ishing touches were put TO her toi
while the thought flushed her che
~ with carmine.
" She did indeed, look lovely,
fair complexion lit up with the 7
glow of health and anticipated pl
Ure; her blue eyes radiant with
and golden curls falling over a Il
and shoulder of snowy whiten
II. while her azure dress, trimmed '
costliest lace, and sparkling gem
the richest setting, seemed but
proper accompaniment to so n