The Smith’s were proud of their family
tradition. Their
ancestors
had come to America on the Mayflower. They
had included Senators
and Wall Street wizards.

They decided to
compile a family history, a legacy for their
children and
grandchildren. They hired a fine author. Only one
problem arose — how to
handle that great-uncle George, who was
executed in the electric
chair.

The author said he could handle the story tactfully.

The
book appeared. It said, “Great-uncle George 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.”