River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-10-26
G6tfW6II'S Sk6I6tOn.
" Kenneth F. Harris.


II y
Geifwell's 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 n way that he could easily slide
il backward and forward. 1t answered
every purpose, for it kept the dust from
Geffwell's other suit and it concealed
johnson.
johnson was the skeletons name. 1t
is to be understood that he was not a
fugitive from justice with a hold on
Geffwell. He was a beautiful compile
ment of the 200 bones in the human
body, nicely articulated with silver wire
and with a ring screwed into his pari-
etal forth greater convenience of hang
ing him up. He was a present from a
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
uncle's 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 Geffwell
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 al a rakish angle on
his polished Uranium would have
II of h.
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 a
vague idea that johnson might not like
it, and he was always glad to draw the
curtain again.
The men gradually came to recognize
Geffwelrs consideration for his skele-
ton and their greetings generally in
cluded polite inquiry after Johnson's
well-being.
He's 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
morning before you left the house?"
said the man at whom this stab was di-
rected
Sure" said Geffweil. Then as a sus-
picion of conspiracy to steal his treas
ure crossed his mind he added: 'Why?"
"Oh. nothing particular; only the last
time | saw him | thought he had lost
flesh"
In course of time the examinations
came on, and then Geffwell 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 phalanges- merely
by name and position, but by exact form
and to the most minute detail of proper
ton. Then he had invested him with
cartilages, veins and arteries, and with
the endless ramifeation of nervous
system. johnson had become a profess
sor of mnemonics. If for moment the
precise location of the sciatic plexus,
for instance, had escaped Geffwell's
mind, first a glance AT johnson and later
Johnson's mental picture would bring
it back to him in a flash. One conse-
quence of this was that Geffwell came
out at the head of his class; another
was that his proud uncle sent him a
check and an offer to pay for post
graduate course.
Il owe il to you, old man" said Geff-
we'll nodding at johnson affectionate-
lly IF l thought il would please you
Id have you gold-plated when | got
prosperous. But / don't think you're
the kind of fellow that would want to
put on dog. You're all right the way
You are. Say, johnson, what kind of an
idea do YOU think if would be to move
out Of this hole?'
He did not move, however, for a
month or two. and during that time he
occupied himself with chemistry to a
great extent. johnson was not of ma
terial assistance to him in this work,
but Getfwell had more opportunity to
prove his regard by reason of his dis
interested situation. He had not only
covered johnson with a speculative
skin. but clothed him. in his minds eye.
in what he conceived to be garments
appropriate TO his life and times. BY
chronological examination he salts
fed himself that his subject had been
man of whose friendship he might be
proud-well balanced. except for a
slight excess of benevolenee and ideali-
" and lack of aequisitiveness. He
outlined a career. more or less check
cred. for his silent companion, and be-
lieved in ii. 1t was such a career as
vastly increased his respect for John
son. Then GeffweH and Johnson moved.
and it came to pass that there was girl
over the way from their new abode.
Its too bad you can't see her. john
snn :, snid fieffmen. "She's a little bit