Year: 1859

"a Ske1eCOu III every house.


Some time since, an inquiry was made
for the story on which was founded the
saying There is a skeleton in every
house." 1t is so long since it has been in
print, that it will be new to many who are
familiar with the truthful and suggestive
proverb. 1t is found in Waldie's Circula-
ting Library for August %, 1884, where it
was copied from Chambers Journal.


A widow of Naples, the Countess Cor
sini, had but one remaining son to give
her an interest in life. He was remark
able for the elegance of his person, as well
as for every amiable and graceful quality.
When grown, this young gentleman was
sent to pursue his studies at the Universe
| ty of Bologna, where he became one of
the most distinguished scholars and gain
| ed the affection of all who knew him by
his singularly noble character. Just as he
was completing his studies, and was about
to return to Naples, he was seized with q
dangerous illness, which, notwithstanding
the efforts of the best physicians in Bolog-
ma, brought him in three days to the


brink of the grave. Seeing he could not


survive, his only care, so far as this world
was concerned, was for his mother, and


it was his most anxious wish that some
| means suOulO DS taken 10 prevent u0E Oea-


ing entirely overcome. He finally resort


ed to this expedient. He wrote to his


mother informing her of his illness, but


not of its threatening character, and re-


auested that she would send him shirt


made by the happiest lady in all Naples,


or she who appeared most free from the


cares and sorrows of this world, for he had


fancy that by wearing such an article he
4 ! L i


thought her sons request rather singular,


but, being 10th to refuse him, Immediately


set about her inquiry for the happiest lady


in Naples. Her efforts were tedious and


difficult: everybody she could think of,


or who was pointed out to her, was found,


on searching nearer, to have her own share


of troubles. She was at length introdu-


ced to one who not only appeared to have


all the materials of worldly bliss, but bore


every external mark of being cheerful and


consented in her situation. To this fortu,
nate lady the Countess preferred her re


quest, making the circumstances of the


case an excuse for so strange an applica


ton.


MY dear Countess" said the lady
spare all apology, forif l were really quail


flied for the task, would gladly under


take it. But If you will follow me to an
other room, will prove to you that an
the most miserable woman in Naples"


So saying, she led the Countess to a re
mote chamber, where there was nothing


apparently but a curtain hung from tn
| ceiling to the floor. This being draw
I aside, she disclosed, to the horror of he
: visitor, skeleton suspended from beam
Il 90, dreadful p exclaimed the Countess
y what means this?"


The lady regarded her mournfully, an,
II said. after moments silence:


E, .sThis was youth who loved me befor
0. nv marriage, and with whom was obi
e, ged TO part when my relations compelle,
he me to marry my present husband. After
rs wards we renewed our acquaintance, an
a INV husband, in his impatience at fndin
4 him in my presence one day, drew hi
y sword, and ran him through the heart,
sr He afterwards caused his skeleton to b


suspended here and every night an
o morning since then has compelled me


come and view these remains. To tn
&c world / may bear a cheerful aspect. an


seem possessed of all the comforts of lif
:, but you may judge if | can really be el
- titled to the reputation you have given M
. or am qualified to execute your sons con
: mission"


e The Countess Corsini readily acknOw
- edged that her situation was most mise
oS able, and retired to her own house.
- "Alas~ she said to herself mo one
I. exempt from the distresses and sorrews I


life; there is skeleton in every house.


When she reached home, she found
f. letter informing her of the death of hs
ir son. The terrible news would have owe
r. turned her reason, or broken her hear
'e had not the foresight of her SON prepare
!" her to feel that others had sorrows as Rrea
lr as her own, and by alternating them ht
own were hghtened,