Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-06-24
FAM lily
SKELETONS
(copyright.)
BY Tnomas mason.

things to me" said the first family
skeleton, lis the common belief that
there is only one of u.s."
1t was midnight in the luxurinus
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 closet most of the time, and
was dragged forth only on state oc-
casions-hence the delusion that many
entertain to-day"
"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 win
go upstairs and get her"
At this, four of the family skeletons
filed solemnly out of the room. 81
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 fouv skeletons stood, one at each
corner of the bed, and stared down at
her from. eyeless sockets,
II 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 heart, 1t
might beat responsibility to this touch
ing sight. AS it is, have no feeling
for hers Have you, brothers?"
The other skeletons grinned.
None" they replied in chorus, but
the stern voice of our duty. Where
duty calls us we must 60"
Then they lifted the sleeping girl
and bore her down to their compan-
ions. And they laid her quite correct
ly and skilfully on the table. Cover
cred with the white, silken sheet she
lay there, a central figure of inno-
cence and purity.
and nc"v" said the head skele-
ton, before assigning ourselves to our
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 religiously rob-
bling the widows and orphans, bought
for her mother a place in society
which she is about to succeed to- Mon
~ has made her selfish, cruel and
Good" said the head skeleton.
Number three, what else is the mat
Ter with herr"
Defective education" said number
hree, promptly. "She can speak
French, Dead and play music, drive a
and mix all kinds Of
thinks. But her character is anemic.
That is, her moral perceptions have
been blighted. She imagines that
he 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
less. Remember that there is work
or willing bones to do. I shall now
assign you to your several tasks"
Turning to the second skeleton on
lis right, he said:
you will have charge of her social
that nothing interferes
With it. Teach her to know when to
nub, when to grovel-teach her when
o crush.
And to you"-turning to number
hree-"will be assigned her matri-
nonial ventures-whom to marry, how
much to marry and how often. See
hat you do not neglect your task, for
lpon much marrying depends the
Whole fabric Of social success.
"And to you"-turning to number
be left the sacred rights Of
he children. In the first place, see
hat there are none. They are not only
lad form, but in her station of life so
Iseless. Do your duty, therefore, and
all not.
"And to you''-turning to number
i've must be left the task OF pre-
erving her beauty. Keep her natural
going as long as possible,
nd don't resort to artificial methods
until hygiene fails. Above all, don't
leach her hair until absolutely neces-
airy. That is to say, work nature as
ong as possible, and substitute art
My at critical points
And to the rest Of you, look alive
nd keep her restless and relentless,
With a profound sense Of the value Of
he complex, and true love for the