Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1908-06-13
FAM lily
SIX Ell ON S
BY Thomas Mason.
Copyright


there is only one of u.s."
1t was midnight in the luxurious
country mansion, the home of one %
our wealthiest and most important cit
liens.
THAT comes" said the second fam
lily skeleton, from tradition. There
was time when there was only one
of us. He served for all purposes. He
lived in a closet most Of the time, and
was dragged forth only on state oc-
casions-hence the delusion that many
entertain today"
They forget entirely" said the
third family skeleton, that this is a
time of specialists. AS if, in this
enlightened age, one skeleton could
do the business for this family"
At which sally, every one of them,
of course, laughed.
why" said the fourth family skel-
eton, "as matter of fact, it takes a
syndicate"
The first family skeleton raped on
the table with his right metatarsal.
Now, gentlemen" he said, ito bust
ness. The daughter of the house, as
you all know, comes of age tomorrow.
We must decide what is to be done
with her. First, then, let her be
brought down here. Four Of you will
go upstairs and get her"
At this, four of the family skeletons
filed solemnly out Of the room. ST
lently, they assembled the stairs. ST
lently, they entered the room where
the sleeping daughter of the house lay
dreaming. Her lips, slightly parted,
were as red as June roses; her cheeks.
full and round, held the lambent glow
of health. Her throat, as it heaved
with each inspiration, was white and
firm With curves of beauty.
The four skeletons stood, one at each
corner Of the bed, and stared down at
her from eyeless sockets.
Il presume" said the skeleton at her
right hand, that if, within this osse-
Gus framework Of mine, there were
again rugged up and fastened to the
sides that thing entitled a heart, it
might beat responsibility to this touch
ing sight. AS it is, l have no feeling
for her. Have you, brothers,"
The other skeletons grinncd.
None" they replied in chorus, "but
the stern voice of our duty. Where
duty calls us VIC must go"
Then they lifted the sleeping girl
and bore her down to their compan-
Ions. And they laid her quite correct
~ and skifully on the table. Cover
-. Al H. IL,
lay there. q central figure Of limo
! cence and purity.
And now" said the head skele-
ton, before assigning ourselves to orr
respective stations, let us first dag
nose this case. Just what is the mat
ter with this fair young thing?'
First. money" said the second skel-
eton. Her father, by relgiously rob
bling the widows and orphans, bought
for her mother a place in society
which she is about TO succeed to. Mon
ey has made her selfish, cruel and
artificial"
Good" said the head skeleton.
Number three, what else is the mat
ter with herr"
three, promptly. She can speak
French, read and play music, drive a
four-in-hand, and mix all kinds OF
drinks. But her character is anemic.
| That is, her moral perceptions have
been blighted. She imagines that
the world was made for her purpose,
whereas she was made for the world
If she knew it,"
Enough" said the head skeleton.
Now, gentlemen, once more to bust
ness. Remember that there is work
for willing bones to do. l shall now
assign you to your several tasks"
Turning to the second skeleton on
his right, he said:
You will have charge of her social
ambtion-see that nothing interferes
with It. Teach her to know when to
snub, when to grovel-teach her when
to crush.
"And to you''-turning to number
three-"wil be assigned her matri-
monal ventures-whom to marry, how
much to marry and how often. See
that you do not neglect your task, for
upDu uuCu MAI ylnS uOpShuo IhS
whole fabric of social success.
and to you'-turning to number
four-"will be left the sacred rights of
the children. In the first place, see
that there are none. They are not only
bad form, but in her station Of life so
useless. Do your duty, therefore, and
fail not.
"And to you"-turning to number
five-"must be left the task of pre-
serving her beauty. Keep her natural
complexion going as long as possible.
and don't resort to artificial methods
until hygiene fails. Above all, don't
bleach her hair until absolutely neces-
sary. That is to say, work nature as
long as possible, and substitute art
only at critical points
"And to the rest of you, look alive