Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-08-14

1
me that if did not go away he would
throw one of his ribs at me-
The doctor laughed. II did not know
you were SO weak; you ought to be
ashamed of yourself"
''You may just laugh as much as you
please, but know that he did speak to
me. Never mind; you'll be sorry one Of
these days for treating me this way"
Several nights later, when the shuf-
fling footsteps of the servants were no
longer heard in the hallway, the doctor
went into the library to work on an arti-
Gle for medical journal. He had
sat down and had begun to ar
range his papers, when dry,
rasping voice, SO near that it startled him,
said:
'tIt is time, sir, that you were in bed. !"
The doctor looked around the room
but saw no one "Who spoke z" he de-
manded.
81, sir" replied the voice.
seWhat, youa" gazing at the tall skel-
eton.
Eyes, What you,'" said the skeleton.
'sHaven't right to speak 2"
sYou don't mean to say that you are
talking 2"
"You have very correctly arrived at
the proportions of my meaning, or
rather. using the expressive slang of
the day, that is just about the size
of it."
II don't believe that you can talk, :"
exclaimed the doctor. ''You have no
organs of speech"
Doctor" said the skeleton, "you re-
mind me of the old story of the law
yer, who said to his client ::
They cannot put you in Jail
for this Yes, they can,' replied
the client, for, hang it, they've already
done it. can't talk without organs of
speech, but, hang it, I've already done
itn
"Well, this beats anything I ever
heard of. Say, tell me something about
death. Where is your soul ~
"Oh, never had any soul particularly
was physician and"
Look here, you don't mean to say
that physician has no soul, do you ~
"Not necessarily. Some have and
some have not. About the same in all
professions"
Tell me one thing is there an ac-
tual Satan ~
Eyes"
"Of what form is he ~
"Well, he's shaped pretty much like
a mule.'
"You don't tell me so."
"Yes, do; and that is why mules are
so satanic.n
For time the doctor sat deep in a
meditation that perplexed him In vain
did he summon his powers of cool rea-
soning to combat the absurdity of the
situation, for there stood the grim, flesh
less-Hannibal he was called ready with
the grinning mouth of the past to an
swer a question of the present The
well-balanced mind of materialistic be-
lief, mind which had strongly grappled
with physics, and which had "capered
nimbly with metaphysics, had received
blow against which years of study
would have proved no adequate prepara-
ton.
II don't understand this he said
aloud, although addressing his own
mind.
Probably not, " the skeleton replied.
adam thought that he was a remark
able man-and he was one of the mos
remarkable men of his day-yet the
creation of Eve astonished him Doctor,
we, the skeletons, have decided that
your treatment of us is unjust. We long
for the peace of the grave, as a tired
man longs for nights rest. For years
we have, without word of complaint.
borne this treatment, but, sir, we have
decided to no longer submit to foolish
whim on your part, which imposes upon
us season of long g-continued unrest. l
not only speak for myself, but for the
entire company"
awe have requested him to address
you," said the musical voice Of woman,
and the doctor, startled beyond ex-
preston, turned and gazed at small
skeleton that stood near the mantei-
piece.
''Who are you2" the physician gasped.
81 am an ill-used lady, sir, that's who
Fam"
Madam, or miss, humbly beg your
pardon for any imposition which you
may have suffered at my instance
''Your words bespeak gallantry, but
your actions, must say, do not illustrate
the conduct of gentleman. Why do
you not bury US and let US sleep in peace
until the sounding Of the great Judgment
clarion. Oh, sir, | implore you bury US
this night. You need not go to the ex-
pense of providing coffins, for collins to
US are useless. Take US to the little
field beyond the house and bury us
under the great oak"
''It shall be done at once" exclaimed
the doctor, rising Il will summon my
hired men and have the graves ready
within two hours
s'Thank you, said Hannibal
sThank YOU" said the lady.
''oh, we are deeply indebted to you,"
exclaimed little fellow who stood near