The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-09-06
From The N. 7. OJserro,


Gue,y.-Can you tell me the origin of
the expression, "Therc is a skeleton in
every house ?"
AnaoT.-lt may be found in Waldie's
Circulating Library for August 2Gth, 1884,
where it is credited to Chambers Journal.
The story is doubtless apocryphal, but the
lesson it conveys all may read 1t is as
follows
\ widow Of Naples, the Countess Corsi-
nj, had but one remaining sou to give her
an interest in life. lie was remarkable
for the elegance of his person, as well as
for every amiable and graceful quality.
When grown, this young gentleman was
sent to pursue his studies at the Uniycrsi-
ty of Bologna, where he became one of the
most distinguished scholars and gained
the affection Of all who knew him by his
singularly noble character. Just as he
was completing his studies aud was about
to return to Naples, he was seized with a
dangerous illness, which, Notwithstanding
the efforts of the best physicians in Bolog
na, brought him in three days to the brink
of the grave. Seeing he could not sur.
yivc, his only 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 en-
tircly overcome. lie finally resorted to
this expedient:-lle wrote to his mother
informing her of his illness, but not of its
threatening character, and requesting that
she would send him n shirt made by the
happiest lady in all Naples, or she who ap-
pcared most free from tho osrss aud sar-
rows of this world, for he had taken a
fancy that by wearing such an article he
should be speedily cured, The Countess
thought her sons request rather singular,
but being loath to retusa, Immediately set
about her inquiry for the happiest lady in
Naples Her efforts were tedious and diff
cult; everybody she could think of, or who
was pointed out to her, was found, on
searching nearer, to have her own share
of troubles. She was at length introduced
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 fortu-
nate lady the Countess preferred her re-
quest, making the circumstances of the
case an excuse for so strange an appica-
ton. "My dear Countess" said the lady,
spare all apology, for if were really
qualified for the task, would gladly un-
dcrtakc it. But if you will follow me to
another room | will prove TO you that l
am the most miserable woman in Naples. y
So saying, she led the Countess to a remote
chamber, where there was nothing nppar-
emily 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 a beam. 30,
dreadful exclaimed the Countess, ''what
means this ?" The lady regarded her
mournfully, aud said, after moments s
silence, "This was youth who loved me
before my marriage, and with whom was
obliged to part when my relations compell-
ed me to marry my present husband,
Afterward We renewed our acquaintance,
and my husband, in his impatiencc at find
ing MIN IN my presence Ohe uayi ufeW his
sword, and run him through the heart.
He afterward caused his skeleton to be
suspended here, and every night aud
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 en-
titled to the reputation you have given
me, or am qualified to execute your sons
commission" " The Countess Corsini read
lily acknowledged that her situation was
most miserable, and retired to her own
house "Alas !" she said to herself "no
one is exempt from the distresses and sor,
rows Of life; there is skeleton in every
house" When she reached home, she
found 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 pre-,
pared her to feel that others had sorrows
as great as her own, and in alleyiating
them her own were lightened.