Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-02
1ales aud Sketthes.
Written for the Kennebec Journal.
THE SKELETON CHAIR.
BY GEORGE EMERSON.
T Copyriqhted April, 1856. ]

Copyrighted April, 1856
In the year 1920 there lived in the town
of Windsor, Massachusetts, merchant
by the name of Abraham Cole. For some
reason. in all probability best known to
himself, he had never married and resided
at the time of which speak. with wild
owed sister who had three sons.
These children were intelligent lads,
and appeared to think a great deal OF
their bachelor uncle. and all was harmony
and happiness until one day news came
that certain ship in which the merchant
had sent large and valuable cargo OF
goods to foreign ports. had been lost at
sea.
This intelligence went hard with Cole.
Tor about all he was worth had been iisked
in the venture, and now that that was
gone, he found himself poor man, with
a good part OF his life spent and nothing
to show for it in the way of gains. which
was a very depressing thought, you
know.
At length he settled up his affairs as
well as he could. sold everything that
would sell, even to his watch, in order to
satisfy in a measure at least. the claims OF
his creditors in New York and Boston,
who had in part advanced him his goods.
and for time he seemed to have no def
mite aim or intention. But the men who
had trusted him, knowing his integrity
and his purity of heart, soon came to his
aid with the offer of another and larger
cargo, and induced him to embark again
in business.
To this end he selected his goods. and
loading a span new vessel. sailed. Go
ing along himself this time to see if mat
tiers would not turn out more in accord
ance with his desires.
He not only sold the merchandise he
had taken from this country, and settled
up FULLY with his friends for that, and his
previous cargo also, but he bought the
ship outright, and taking in other goods
at whatever port he found himself pos
sessed of much more money than he ever
had before.
He then counted his gains and being
satisfied, turned his face towards his ma
tive land, and reached the town above
named after an absence of a little more
than seventeen years.
During this time there had of course
been many changes in the town, Among
others, his sister had died, and his three
nephews having grown to mans estate,
had divided their little property. chosen
each a calling tor himself, and were do
ing well enough as the world goes.
The oldest boy had put all his money
into his head. In other words he had
been through college," Educated HIM
self thoroughly. at least in his own esti-
nation, and prepared himself for pro-
fessional man.
Tho next was junior partner in dry
goods house. and though not yet noted for
a particularly bright genius in his line,
considered himself we'll out of the woods
While the remaining nephew, the
youngest, had learned a trade, and was
carrying on small manufacturing estab-
lishment, with the prospect of accumulat-
ing something as time and experience
came to his aid
The bachelor uncle learned all these
facts without letting himself be known.
and what made it easier for him, was,
that for some years there had been a
rumor in the town to the effect that his
vessel had been wrecked, his goods lost,
and himself sunk to the bottom of the
sea.
This rumor had some sort of founda-
ton, for there had been Just such a case,
but the unfortunate adventurer hailed
from Windsor, Connecticut. In this way
the matter got mixed up, until presently
at each place, a story applied with equal
purpose, probably to either man.
Be that as it may. however. Cole did
nothing to waken the report as it had been
fitted to him, but took a survey of the
ground. gathered such information as he
desired. and then went away.
We next find him in the city of Bos-
ton, where for some years he lived the
life of a plain, quiet, single gentleman
Esteemed by all who knew him, attend
ing with diligence and precision of his
property-for he had invested nearly all
his fortune in real estate in that city-and
having a good word and sometimes lit.
tie cash, for any really deserving young
man OF his acquaintance who was starting
out in business.
So he lived and enjoyed himself. but
age crept on tor all that, and he came in
time to think that as life was at best un.
certain, and as he had passed his sixteth
milestone, he was in duty bound to make
some disposition of his wealth while We,
in the body. so as TO save useless litiga.
ton and the probability of his gains 90
ing into the hands of those who were not
of his blood. And in fnrtherance of this
design he cast about him to see how he
should manage to find out to a certainty,
if all, any, or how many. of his legal
heirs were in truth worthy of lingering
his money.
will say right here that Cole, had al.
ways. even in boyhood. been noted for
his strict integrity, his simple. unas-
Stunning ways. and his plain manner and
speech. AS man be was distinguished
tor his sense and probity-high business
quaitications-and seldom erred in mat
tiers touching his calling. There was no
pomposi'y about him. and if he despised
one thing more than another. it was tina,
weakness or ignorance which leads man
to set himself above his fellow, solely on
account of his creed. poverty or occupa-
ton.
There was another thing this bachelor
uncle was 10th to look over, even IN a
brother. and that was a want of applica
ton or diligence in business Foresight
does not exactly express my meaning. for
he did not expect to see young and mex
perienced men as wise as older ones. But
what he admired in a young man was a
disposition to take advantage of his chances
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