Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-03-23
A Skeleton In Every House.

Some time since, an inquiry was made
IN our columns, says the Church Uaioa,
Tor the story on which was founded the
saying: There il q skeleton in every
house" 1t is long since it has been IN
print, and 1t will be new to many who are
familiar with the truthful and suggestive
proverb. Ii is found in Waldie's Circu-
iatlng Library for Aug. 20, 1884, where u
was copied from Chambers Journal.
A widow of Naples, the Countess Cor
SIM, had but one remaining SON to give
her an interest in life. He was remark
able for the elegance of his person, as
well as for every amiable and graceful
quality. When grown, this young gem
ueman was sent to pursue his studies ut
at the University OF Bologna, where he
became one of the most distin guished
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 dangerous illncss,
which, Notwithstanding the efforts of the
beet physicians in Bologna, brought him
In three days TO the brink OF the grave.
Seeing he could not survive, his emily care,
so far as the world was concerned, was
for his mother, and it was his most
anxious wish that some means should be
taken TO prevent her being entirely over
come. de finally resorted to this expe-
dent: He wrote TO his mother informing
her OF his illness, but not OF its threaten
Ing character, and requesting that she
would send him shirt made by the hap
piest lady in all Naples, or she who APP
peared most free from the cares and sor-
rows OF this world, for he had taken
fancy that by wearing such an article he
should DE speedily cured. The Countess
thought her sons request rather singular,
but being 10th TO refuse him, Immediately
set about her inquiry for the happiest lady
In Naples. Her efforts were tedious and
difficult; everybody she could think of,
or who was pointed out to her. was found,
on searching nearer, 10 have her own
share of troubles. She was at length in
uoduced to one who not only appeared to
have all the materials OF worldly bliss,
but bore every external mark OF being
cheerful and cuntented in her situation. To
this fortunate lady the Countess preferred
her request, making the circumstances of
her case an excuse for so strange an appli-
cation. My dear Countess" said the
lady, "spare all apology, for if l were
really qualified for the task, | would
gladly undertake it. But if you will fol-
low RE TO another room, ] will prove to
you that am the most miserable woman
in Naples" SO saying, she led the
Countess to remote chamber, where
there was nothing apparently but curtain
hung from the ceiling to the floor. This
being drawn aside, she disclosed, TO the
horror of her visitor, skeleton suspended
fro f,lt lal
regarded her mournfully, and said, after
moments silence, This was youth who
loved me before my marriage, and with
whom l was Obliged to part when my re
lations compelled me To marry my present
husband. Afterward we renewed our
and my husband, in his
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
me TO come and view these
To the world may bear a
cheerful aspect, and seem possessed Of oil
the comforts Of life, but you may judge II
/ can really be entitled TO the reputation
you have given me, or am qualified TO
execute your sons commission" The
Countess Corsini readily acknowledged
that her situation was most miserable, and
retired to her own house. "Alas 70 she
said to herself, "no one is exempt from
the distresses and SORROWS OF life; there is
a skeleton in every house."
When she reached home, she found a
letter informing her of the death of her
son. This terrible news would have over
turned her reason, broken her heart, had
not the foresight of her son prepared her
TO feel that others had sorrows rs great MS
her own, and in alternating them her own
were lightened.