The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-09-09
A CLOSETS SECRET.

Mr. Horace Melton was a PROMISING
young lawyer, who had the enviable
reputation of being zone OF the best
catches in town. Consequently there
was great rejoicing among the family
and friends of Miss Matilda Palfrey when
1t was understood that he had requested
her to be his wife.
Mr.. Alelton's own family was not so
much pleased. Matilda herself was good
enough; but her mother-and old Mrs.
Melton and her daughter shook their
heads and hoped that poor, dear Horace
wouldn't find his mother in law too much
for him.
She was known as a woman of deter.
mined mind, who had ruled her husband
and children, and was inclined to hclp
manage the affairs of her acquaintances
in general; and it was not probable that
she would make an exception in favor of
her son-in-l law.
And Horace was so easy and GOOD
natured, his mother said, with n siob
that there was little hope of his opposing
THAT woman's" influence in his own
household.
Despite these warnings, Horace, like
true lover resolved to take his Matilda
Tor better or for worse, and at Cnce com
menced preparations for his marriage.
The young couple were 10 live in
house recently left him by an uncle-a
pleasant, roomy mansion, set a little back
from the main street, in the mids: of an
ornamental garden.
The furniture and effects" had been
pequeailled to Horace's mother and sis
ters. and had already been removed-all
save ono article, the presence of which
caused the young man some embarrassed
consideration
Tho late Mr.. Melton had been, accord
Ing to the estimation of the neighbors. n
rather eccentric old gentleman, who had
interested himself in literary and scien
tihc pursuits, and in inventing and man
ufacturing various mechanical contriv.
ances, more ingenious than useful
Among these was an artificial human
skeleton wrought in wood, every bone
being perfect imitation, and the Joints
ingenlously set on springs, so that when
worked by invisible wires, the ghastly
object would go through few convul-
siye motions.
Ihis grim work of art, upon which the
OLD gentleman had greatly prided him
self, he had bequeathed to his young
friend, Narrowly, medical student, to
be claimed by him so soon as he should
have won his diploma, and had an office
in which to establish it.
And meanwhile, by his own special
direction to his nephew, it remained
upon its pedestal in small closet be-
longing TO the old gentleman's work
room, where its presence, when the
nephew came TO prepare the house for
his bride, caused him some embarrassed
consideration. 1t would certainly. he
thought not prove pleasing subject for
the contemplation of his Matilda; nei-
ther was he sure but that she might feel
nervous and annoyed at the knowledge
OF such CHASTITY object in the house.
30 he finally concluded to say nothing
about It, but to lock the closet; and. as
an additional security against discovery,
to put nail or two in the door.
For the first week or two of their mar
riage the young couple were of course
very happy, desiring nothing beyond
their own home and each others society.
Matilda, who had been all her life ruled
by her mother, was delighted with hav-
ing her own way in her own home, which
1t was her chief enjoyment to make at
traetive for her husband. Such delicious
little suppers as she prepared for him;
such blissful evenings as they two had
spent together with books aud .music,
and pleasant chat; and above all. the
delightful feeling of independence in
their own house and home
But alas, for human happiness Scarce
three weeks had they enjoyed this bliss
ful sunshine, when cloud suddenly
oyershadowed it.
This cloud came in the shape of a hack,
which one evening deposited at their
door plethoric trunk, covered with
canvas, and a thin lady done up in furs.
The latter, without permitting the
servant to announce her, walked into
the parlor where Horace and Matilda,
his arm around her waist and her head
on his shoulder, were looking over the
new magazines, and enjoying the funny
political caricatures.
"Mammap exclaimed Matilda. start
ing up and coming forward with by no
means rapturOus expression OF surprise.
eyes, my dear. it is l; and hope you
are not sorry 10 see me-
Delighted, am sure" said Mr.. Mel