The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1899-10-27
G6ffW6IIS Sk6I6tOn.
Ey Kenneth F. Harris.


q
Geffwells closet. Strictly speak
ing. it was not in the closet, for the at
tic bedroom had not that convenience,
but in its stead Geffwell had strung a
wire across the recess at the foot of his
bed and had pinned sheet on the wire
in such way that he could easily slide
it backward and forward. 1t answered
every purpose, for it kept the dust from
-Getfwell's other suit and it concealed
Johnson. --a~
johnson was the skeletons name. 1t
is to be understood that he was not
fugitive from justice with hold on
'Geffwell. He was a beautiful compile
ment of the 200 bones in the human
body, nicely articulated with silver wire
and with ring screwed into his pari-
etal flor the greater convenience of hang
ing him up. He was present from
medical uncle of Geffwell's who had re-
tired from practice and who, hearing
that his nephew had chosen the noble
profession of healing, sent him the
bleached framework of humanity by
express.
When Geffwell first came to Chicago
to study he used to feel lonely, and in
time became greatly attached to his
uncles gift To begin with, it was
merely scientific interest that he took
in it, but in time the interest ripened
into feeling that he had more than an
element of personal liking. Then he
began to call the skeleton johnson and
tell him his troubles.
Some companions are not sympa-
thetic. johnson always was, or so Geff-
well imagined. His bright smile of well
come was unfailing whenever the young
student pulled aside the muslin curtain
on his return from lectures. He was 81
lent, of course, except when Geffwel
happened to turn him around to settle
some anatomical doubt and ratified his
tibia, but loquacity is not essential to
companionship. He was instructive at
least, and what knowledge he could not
impart directly he often suggested.
Geffwell and he had many midnight
session together, the student with his
books and Johnson ready and willing
to assist him at any moment he might
be appealed to.
Geffwell never treated Johnson dis
respectfully, as many of his fellows
treated their skeletons or skulls if they
were not fortunate enough to own an
entire osseous system. The idea of
making a pipe rack of Johnson's ribs,
hanging his umbrella on his ilium or
setting a straw hat at a rakish angle on
his polished Uranium would have
shocked him. When any of the men
came up to see him, as they did occa-
sionally, Geffwell's pride in his posses
sion would not allow him to conceal it
from their professional admiration, but
it made him nervous if they handled it
too Familiarity. He had somehow
vague idea that Johnson might not like
it, and he was always glad to draw the
curtain again.
The men gradually came to recognize
Gcffwcll's consideration for his skele-
ton and their greetings generally in
cluded a polite inquiry after Johnson's
well-being.
Hes all right" Geffwell would re-
Ply, cheerfully. Hes behaving him
self and he hasn't seen the inside of the
precinct station yet. They'll never have
to send out the wagon on his account"
you're sure you looked at him this
a.orning before you left the house,"
said the man at whom this stab was di-
rected.
Sure" said GeffweiI. Then as sus-
picion of conspiracy to steal his treas
ure crossed his mind he added: "Why?"
'Oh, nothing particular; only the last
time I saw him thought he had lost
flesh"
In course of time the examinations
came on. and then Ge1fwell began to
realize what he owed to johnson. By
constant contemplation he had long
since come to know his fractional parts
from the frontal bone to the last row
of his dangling phaIanges-not merely
by name and position. but by exact form
and TO the most minute detail of proper
lion. Then he had invested him with
s.artilages. veins and arteries. and with
The endless ramification of 4 nervous