Daily Republican., 1879-09-16


While we love 1t more and more,
And we hope to welcome with 1t
angel footsteps at the door 4!
A skeleton in Every Closet.
QUERY an you tell me the origin Of
the expression, "There is skeleton in
every housey" --....... ..
ASswRR-It may be found in Waldie's
Circulating Library for august 26th,
1884, where it is credited to Chambers
Journal" The story is doubtless apoc.
ryphal, but the lesson it conveys all
may read. 1t ia as follows:
A widow of Naples, the Countess Cor
sini, had but one remaining son to give
her an interest in life. He was re,
markable for the elegance Of his person,
as we'll as for every amiabls aud grace
full quality. When grown, this young
man was sent to pursue his studies at
the University Of Bologna, where ie be.
came one of the most distinguished
scholars and gained the affection Of all
who knew him by his singularly noble
ch aracter.
Just a. he was completing his stu
dies and was about to return to Naples,
he was seized with q dangerous illness,
which, Notwithstanding the efforts Of
tho best physicians in Bologna, brought
him in three days to the brink of the
grave. Seeing he could not survive,
bis only care, 80 far as the world was
concerned, was for his mother, and it
was his most snxious wish that some
means should bs taken to prevent her
I being entirely overcome. He finally
resorted to this sxpedient:- He wrote
to his mother informing her of his i'll
ness, but not OF its threatening charac-
tor, and requesting that she would send
him shirt made by the happiest lady
in all Naples, or she who appeared
most free from the cares and sorrows Of
this world, for he had taken fancy
that by wearing such an article he
should bs speedily cured. The Count
ess thought her sons request rather
singular, but being loath to refuse, i'm
mediately 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, to haveher own share
of troubles. She 1as at length intro
duced to one who not only appeared to
have all the materials of worldly bliss,
but bore every external mark of being
cheerful and contented in her situation.
To this fortunate lady the Countess
preferred her request, making the cir
cumstances of the case an excuse for SO
strange an application. "My dear
Countess" said the lady, "spare the
apology. for il were really qualified
lor the task, l would gladly undertake
it. But if you will follow me to an
other room will prove to you that !
am the most miserable woman in Ma
ples." 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, a skeleton
suspended from beam. 80, dread
full exclaimed the Countess, "what
means this9" The lady regarded her
mournfully, and said after moments
silence, "This was youth who loved
me before my marriage, and with whom
was obliged to part when my relations
com pelled me to marry my present
hus band. Afterward we renewed our
acquaintance, and my husband, in his
impatiencs at finding him in my pres
enoe one day, drew his sword, and run
him through the heart. He afterwsrd
caused his skeleton to be suspended
here. and every night and morning,
since then, has compelled me to come
and view these remains.
To the world / may bear cheerful
aspect, and seem possessed OF all the
comforts Of life, but you may judge If |
can really be entitled to the reputation
You have given me, or am quaiined 70
execute ysu sons commission" The
Countess Corsini readily acknowledged
that her situation was most miserable.
Ard retired to her own house. "Alas!"
she said TO herself, "no ono is exempt
from the distresses and sorrows OF life;
there ia . 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
overturned her reason, or broken her
heart, had not the foresight of her son
prepared her to feel that others had
sorrows as great as her own, and in al
leviating them her own were lightened.
-"N. Y. Observer