Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-07-09

CLAIMING HIS SKELETON.
A Weird Story of the Michigan
University.

When John Wentworth put his last
touches to his work he stood back and
regarded il with admiration. He stood
with his hands in his pockets and his
cap well back on has head, and he felt
that glow of self-satisfaction which a
man feels who has just finished long
and arduous task.
We'll" he said, as he turned his
head, now this way and then that II
call that first-class job, by Georgc"
1t was certainly a most complete
piece Of mechanism, every joint perfect
ly fitted, yet perfection is never alto
gether appreciated. and when Mrs.
Jones, tho landlady, deceived by the ST.
lence into supposing that Wentworth
had gone out. and thinking the present
n good time 10 fix up the room, came
in. she gave a scream of terror, and on
catching her breath. cried;
Laws, Mr.. Wentworth. what a start
that horr,d thing did give me. You're
not going TO keep that in the house,
Mr.. Wentworth"
Mrs. Jones, let me present you TO
our distinguished fellow-lodger, j. w.
Stodgers. venture to say that more
complete or a handsomer skeleton can
not be found in Ann Arbor, Mrs. Jones,
If did wire him myself John w. will
give you little trouble, Mrs. Jones, and
If; when we're out, YOU give him a little
touch up with the duster. he will not
only appreciate it, but you will also
oblige Mr. Smile and myself, for we are
partners IN j. w. Stodgers."
Mercy sakes, I'll never come into
this room il that skeleton Is to ne here. "
''Oh, John w. is harmless. Besides.
he has been in that box here for some
weeks. I've only helped him to collect
himself as il were"
At this moment the lower Jaw Of the
skull dropped with a click TO an angle
of forty-five, and Mrs. Jones gave an
other little shrek as she looked with
ayerted gaze at the sort OF dry, bony,
silent, fixed laugh of the skeleton.
That" said Wentworth. with par
donable pride, sis little device of my
own. That jaw stays in place about
half an hour and then drops. BY the
way, just notice what a lovely set of
teeth John w. has. That's the fault
find with most Of our American skele-
tons. They have poor teeth. II seemed
20 Smile and me that this fellow must
have been an ELglishman, he had such
good grinders, so we Christened him
6todEers, an ar.stocratic name over
there, am told.
1T gives me the chills to look at IT,,
said Mrs Jones The fading afternoon
light threw deep shadows In the eyeless
sockets that gave Mrs. Jones an uneasy
feeling that the skeleton was looking at
her.
That's because you always had
Lifts TO board here instead of 'Medics.'
You'll get used TO John w. He's an
unobtrusiye cuss. II everybody minded
his own business with the exclusiyeness
j. w. does there wouldn't be much
trouble in this world"
Wentworth bitterly remembered this
remark later on.
At this moment young Smile came
IN.
"By Jove," said SIN lie, in admira-
ton. you We done that up tiptop. John.
Thunder, | call that a triumph" and
he walked around and took side view
Of IT, That's what | call a deuced
good job for first attempt Did you
over see anything handsomer, Mrs
JonesP"
Mrs. Jones thinks she has, said
Wentworth.
''lt's awful" shuddered Mrs. Jones.
''ro think that that was alive and
walked around like the rest Of usl''
"'And thou hast walked about, how
strange story" quoted Smile.
That's so, it's rough on j. W., isn't
itPn
Mrs. Jones went down stairs and the
medical students closed the door
ellis jaw droops little, John" said
Smile.
That's all right; shows the action,
you know" aud Wentworth with a
ruler touched John w. under the chin,
and the two cleaning rows Of teeth
came together and remained in that
fixed grin so characteristic Of all skele-
tons.
Wentworth had placed narrow
table against the wall, and on il John
w, sat with his skull fastened 10 the
his spindly white legs dangled down and
sway Gu Ncutif W anu lios Wucu the
door opened or breeze came through
the window.
Tho medical students sat down, and
Wentworth was telling Smile how he
had overcome certain difficulties in ar
tlculaiiOn. when there entered with un-
necessary silence stranger
Excuse me. gentlomen,' he said.
BEG sour pardon, said Wentworth.
Il didn't hear you knock"
II didn't knock"
sOhl"
'sTake D chair" said Smile.
II win stay but a lew moments" re-
piled the stranger
~ course neither Of the young men
knew al The hundreds Of students At
lho University, but they thought the
stranger belonged 10 one Of the depart
picnlk, although Il seemed odd that he
should enter without rapping,
'lIafe cigar said Wentworth,
~ IA N, hoN foFae|s him,
AIt,I.A ~ II,ef