The Smiths were proud of their family
tradition. Their ancestors had come to America on the Mayflower. Their
relatives included senators and Wall Street wizards.
They decided to compile a family history, a legacy for their children
and grandchildren, and hired a fine author. Only one problem arose --
how to handle the two black sheep of the family -- George, who was
executed in the electric chair for murder and Sam, who was hanged for
rustling cattle.
The author assured them he could handle the story tactfully.
When the book appeared, it said that great-grandfather Sam died,
"taking part in a public function when the platform gave
way.'"
As for great-uncle George, he "occupied a chair of applied
electronics at an important government institution, was attached to his
position by the strongest of ties, and his death came as a great
shock."
