Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-09-28

Where!' asked Charles wife, seeing
him color.
'Why, to tell you the whole truth
Mrs. Linden, Charles has been to the
lodge with me-
How can he go there? He is not
an Odd Fellow
yes, he is an Odd Fellow,
'Charles!' cried Mrs. Linden with
surprise.
what say, my dear?'
SIS it true, what Frank has just told
me?'
1T is true, Emma. have tonight
been initiated
The young wife would gladly have
been very angry. But Franks gay
manner and his wiie's merriment at
her surprise, drove the cloud from her
brow.
well, Charles, if you have really
been so idle as TO join this order, can't
help it. Clara has been speaking of it,
but yet l have prejudices. Come, now,
divulge the secret, and clear your breast
and conscicne at once, and forgive
you
'The secret is SILENCE, answered
Charles. gravely.
Don't tantalize, Charles What is
the secrei?'
The new initiated placed his FORE
finger on his lips, and then removing
ii said impressively,
1T is siience!'
How provoking!' cried his wife,
vexed and laughing. Il declare | am
half a mind to- to get up some terri
bic secret as an offset to yours
Don't fear her, Charles, said his
friend; she would come and tell It to
Clara here, and Clara would come and
tell it to me before we went to sleep,
and then could communicate the ter
rible affair to you, you know
Il dare say have secrets, Frank,
which | never told you,' said his wife,
archly.
How provoking these men are
said Mrs. Linden. Come, Odd Eel
low, see if you can pu, on my shawl
The rext Thursday evening, at the
tea table, after little embarrassment
and hesitation, Charles Linden said TO
his wife
Emma, shall be absent part of the
evening"
Where, Charles?'
1T is lodge night would like 10
go in for an hour or two
Mrs. Linden looked very grave aud
pou,ed, She did not make
any reply.
Shall go?'
'As you please: if you prefer the So
cicly Of your new brothers to mine, /
have nothing TO say
Il do not! | stay home with you
every other evening
Il have nothing TO say
You look displeased: will stay at
home.
No, 20. You have expressed your
preference; am willing that you
should follow it,
How can yon be 50 unreasonable,
Emma?'
Mrs. Linden got up from the table
and left the room. Charles remained
a few moments thoughtful, and then
rose and departed FOR the lodge. On
his return, he found that Emma had
retired. On ascending to her room he
found the door locked within. Apiece
of paper was stuck upon the outside
panel, on which he read, COMPOUNDED,
NUprIAL LODGE, No. /.
No .7dnifiance Uithout tie CounierSign.
Al first he stood petrified with aston
ishmen,: then he burst forth in loud
peal Of laughter There was rich
ness and beautiful appropriateness in
the Jest tina, pleased him, although at his
own expense.
He knocked at the door and ex-
claimed 'Loycn
That is not the pass word. No adj
miltancer said the triumphant voice OF
his wife within.
After making one or two other e.
quaily unsuccessful efforts, he was for
ced 10 confess himself conquered; and
with an exclamation about the wit oil
woman lac slowly retired from the
door OF this 'odge,' from which lac was
deborred, and speniihe night on dlvan
in the parlor, with his coat for cover
lid.
AT breakfast next morning, Mrs.
=. e. .u.... Cka.iaS