Year: 1879




is skeleton in every house, was given
In Chambers Journal, in 1884. The
story is doubtless apocryphal, but the
lesson it conveys all may read. 1t is as
follows: l4Ai i 1tst


A widow of Naples, the Countess Cor
sini, had but one remaining son to give
Eer an interest in life. He was remark
able for the elegance Of his person, as
we'll as for every amiable and graceful
quality. When grown, this young gen.
tleman was sent to pursue his studies at
the University of Bologna, where he be-
came one of all who knew him by his
singularly noble character. Just as he
was completing his studies and was
aUouoUv roVurn a
with dangerous illness, which, notwith-
standing the efforts Of the best physi-
clans in Bologna, brought him in three
days to the brink of the grave. Seeing
he could not survive, his only care, SO
far as the world was concerned, was for
his mother, and it was his most anxious
wish that some means should be taken
to prevent her being entirely overcome.
He finally resorted to this expedient:
He wrote to his mother informing her
of his illness but not of its threatening
character, and requested 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 taken fancy
that by wearing such an article he
be speedily cured. The Countess 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 te-
dious 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 introduced to one who not only
appeared to have all the materials of
worldly bliss, but bore every external
mark of being cheerful and contented in
her situation. To this fortunate lady
the Countess preferred her request. maxi
ing the circumstances of the case an
excuse for SO strange an application.
"My dear Countess said the lady,
"spare all apology, for if l were really
qualified for the task. / would gladly
undertake 1t. But if you will follow
me to another room, | will prove to you
that | am the most miserable woman in
Naples" So saying, she led the Coun.
tess to a remote chamber, where there
was nothing apparently but curtain
hung from the ceiling to the floor. This
being drawn aside, she disclosed, to the
horror of her visitor, a skeleton suspend.
ed from a beam. 30, dreadfuli" ex
claimed the Countess, L"what means
this?' The lady regarded her mourn
fully. and said, after moments silence
"This was a youth who loved me before
my marriage. and with whom / wal
obliged to part when my relations com
PEELED me to marry my present husband
Afterwards we renewed our acquaintanc,
and my husband. in his indignation a
finding him in my presence one day
s drew his sword, and run him through
the heart. He afterward caused hi
: skeleton to be suspended here, and ev
cry night and morning, since then, ha
compelled me to come and view thes
, remains. To the world may bea
: a cheerful aspect, and seem possessed 0
e all the comforts of life, but you ma
3 Judge if can really be entitled to tn
: to the reputation you have given me. 0
t am qualified to execute your sons com
e MISSION" The Countess Corsini readil
: acknowledged that her situation wa
s most miserable, and retired to her ow
: house. "Alas T. she said to herself
e "no one exempt from the distresses an
r sorrows of life; there is a skeleton j
: every house, When she reached HON



:. she found a letter informing her of tn
S death of her son. This terrible new
d would have overturned her reason, I
: broken her heart, had not the foresigf
y of her son prepared her to feel that otl
It ers had sorrows as great as her owl
y and in alleviating them her own wei


lightened. u