Middletown transcript., 1900-03-17

NS Ats II sC0EL6Cbt dH5W6AGd NAOAASAAs
with knitted brows. ssStill. there are
some points relating to yeur history on
which my mind is a triie obscure.
What possessed my father to call into
being q creature of your disagreeable
character r.
The almighty dollar, young man.
He created me ia order that you might
inherit little more wealth. He did
not think, then, how should one day
sit astride his shoulders like an Old Man
Of the Sea, nor did he think that it was
possible for me to af1ict his son. For
obvious reasons, my relations with you
are not SO intimate as they were with
your worthy father. / was evolved out
Of the wheat pit of the board of trade.
Your father was bull, and he merci-
lessly gored both life and fortune out Of
certain bear who was not nimble
enough. to get out of his way"
stAnd who was this beari" asked
Gordon.
"a man named Hepburn.
"Amy Hepburn father2' murmured
the young man. rubbing his hand across
his brow in an effort to remember.
eyes Hepburn lost every penny he
had in the world through that disas-
trous wheat deal. He was forced into
bankruptcy and, unable to bear the dis
grace, took his own life. His money
went to increase the store your father
left you, my boy, and it is now possible
for you to live in luxury while Hep
burns wife and children must struggle
on as best they can. However, +" and
the skeleton got up and started back to
it's closet. t'it is not for me to moralize.
Now that I've caught myself deliver
ing homily, I'll just take my depart
-ure. An revoir, my dear fellowl"
Hating at the closet door, the skele-
ton waved its adieu and disappeared
within. Gordon sat in his chair, deep
| in thought, while his cigar burned it.
self out between his fingers.
At last he got up and shook his broad
shoulders as though freeing himself Of
disagreeable burden.
sSociety has dared me, Z" he mutter
ed, !.t'but I know my heart, now, and
I'll do as | pleaseI"
After Harry Gordon and Amy Hep
burn had been married and had re-
turned from their honeymoon Harry
brought his bride up stairs to his old
bachelor Is den and seated her in chair.
"My DEAR he said, 81 have a con
fession to make to you. Ny father once
| did your father grievous wrong, and
have made myself the happiest fellow
| in the world by undoing it. However,
as we are not to have any secrets from
each other, you must know about this. I
A look OF astonishment came into
| Amy's blue eyes as she watched her
| husband proceed to the closet, throw
open the door and 60 rummaging about
inside.
"What in the world are you looking
for, Harry2" she asked as he returned
| to her side.
"I'm looking for something that does
| not seem to be there-the Gordon fam
lily skeleton, Amy. For the first time in
/ is years it is not to be found in that
| closet.
Just then clanking tread was heard
in the hallway without, the door was
pushed slowly ajar and the skeleton
limped in, supporting itself on crutch
and looking very much the worse for
wear.
"There it isl' cried Gordon. What 8
| the matter with you, old chapf Here,
sit down. want to make you acquaint-
ed with my wife. 7
The family skeleton dropped into a
chair and shook until it ratified like a
score Of castanets.
tI'm done for, " it groaned. "You've
fixed me- young man. I just dropped in
to say goodby forever. But t-don't intro
duce me to your wife. We've met be
fore"
sThat's 80, Harry" said Amy. II
know all about this family skeleton of
yours. Don't let it worry you, my
dear" and she threw her soft arms
about his neck. ''Let the dead past bury
its dead. If we are happy, isn't that
enoughf"
Enough, yes" And he pressed Q
rapturous kiss upon her fair cheek.
That kiss pronounced the doom Of the
Gordon family skeleton. Forthwith it
began to fade into thin air, finally van
ishing and leaving not wrack behind.