The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-06-07
THE SKELETON IN BULBON
CLOSET.

MIR. BULBO was decidedly nervous on
this evening. He was more than fidgety
for beside constant change of position, he
cast quick looks behind him, as if he
heard some one, and made many attempts
to whistle. His room was pleasant, his
chair comfortable, his tobacco excellent,
and his pipe coloring in a most enviable
manner; but he frOwned as he shifted
about, and finally sprang up with a groan.
Behind him was small closet where his
bachelor odds and ends were hastily
thrust, and now he jerked the door open
and eagerly examined the interior.
"Such fool!" he CALCULATED, as he
slammed the door, taking up a book reso.
lutelv, determined to read.
What was the matter with Mr.. Bulbo
He appeared to be we'll, being rosy and
active. He was pleasant lookin man, not
yet troubled with age, as he had not yet
reached the "youth Of forty summers. :"
He was rather prosperous in business, had
pleasant circle of friends and no incum.
brances. To look in his frank, sunny
face-Wash Bulbo (his name was not an
unfamiliar one to patriotic Americans,
ana had been thus abbreviated) was q
good fellOw-tO interrOgate his bright
blue eyes no one would suspect that Mr.
Bulbo was anything but the happiest of
men. But he had secret trouble which
so preyed upon him that he was losing his
spirits, and felt as If he was haunted by
an actual presence. 1t pursued him in
the street, sought him in his office, but
was the most vital in its 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-fastened in! But no sooner
was he seated than it would steal out,
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 stitle it.
Ii was this that stole Mr.. Bulbo's
sleep, destroyed his appetite, and drove
him from state of blissful unconscious
ness to condition of rueful wretched.
ness. For more than week he had
nailed up the closet-door-gone without
his overshoes for that length of time, rs
they were there bestowed and had caught
bad cold in consequence as perversely
enough the weather seemed in league
with his tormentors, and storms were rife.
He had left town and spent several nights
with friend, but there had been no escape
for him, and now he had returned to re-
new the conflict or die.
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 threw open all the windows to give
himself as much relief as possible, he re-
viewed the circumstances which had
placed him in this unpleasant position.
A little more than year ago the first
stroke had fallen upon him as he was en-.
jOying 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 for his tobacco pouch, and
quietly said, "COme in," in response to q
knock which a moment later had Jared
his door. But his mood changed as he
read the letter which was put into his
hands.
On breaking the envelope dainty nute,
with dark lines of grief on the edges and
delicate tracery in feminine hand within
fluttered into his lap, while q heavy, dark.
ly-written sheet Topped bold on the floor
He read first q hit from one, then from thu
other, in some confusion and dismay
The gist of both was that Horace Francis
an old friend of his father, had lately de
ceased and left Mr.. Bulbo in charge Of hi.
daughter Mary's property until she should
attain her majority.
Hearing the fine reports IF your bust
ness capacity, and having been SO well
beloved of your father, l select you of all
other men in the world, Bul3o," the dy.
ing man had written. The fortune was
large and had many cumbersome details
but Mr.. Bulbo, for the sake of the trust
and with certain pride in the apprecia
ton Of his ability, gladly undertook t.
INop rYo a SntNo -. L
forwarded her fathers letter, and begged
that al communications be held with hcl
lawyer, as she hardly felt like meeting
strangers at present Mr.. Bulbo had &C
quiesced, and for a year now had. with
much trouble to himself, taken conscien
tious charge of the property, often beins
Obliged to neglect his own business. bu
had never seen the lady, their communi
cation having been entirely through th.
lawyer. Now, in his own room 10 n.
thought of the reasons, he dashed ~,
hands into his dressing. gown pockets anf
fairly hOwled; in the midst of which ehmI
lition he rushed into the closet, threw IN,
letters on the floor. and piled boxes, boots
books, everything he could get hold Of
over them.
All! he, Bulbo! George Washingto,
Bulbo!--a man most scrupulous on sue
points, could not strsngle that shadowles
monster. What If he was poor? If b
had been rich he would have done tn
samc-he, who had come and gone in thi
famous city of Brookley for ten year,
treading his quiet path of life uncriticiset
he had never used his modest wit againi
anyone more than to give . Harmless
thrust at fellOw-sufferer for the benef
OF bis pretty, much. abused companion I
some amiable "tea-fight," where one
friends are served up hot with the fri
grant urn, and their favorite foibles forr
an appetizing sauce for the temptin
rasher. Why did this come upon him
He was pursued ni0ht and dav. the var