Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-12-12


ho'O il had been spen, Charles Linden
was pattern Of husband !
The evening he had been initiated, he
had managed in this manner A friend
of his who lived in Winthrop Place, was
al Odd Fellow, and TO his house Charles
and his wife walked together after dark.
Here it was easy for Charles friend to-
propose 10 him walk and call, leav.
ing the ladies alone Mrs. Linden i'm
pressed upon Charles mind not to be oui
long, and 10 come back by nine 10 see
her home. This he promised, his friend
hnving assured him that the initiation
would occupy less than an hour
Il wonder where they can be going 2
said Mrs. Linden, when they were lett
alone,
Ii is Lodge night f; they must be going
there said The Odd Fellows wife, after
"a moments thought.
Lodge night y
'Yes, Frank is mn Odd Fellow the
Lodge meets Tuesdays
1T is impossible Charles can be going
there 4! lie j. not an Odd Fellow |
wonder how YOU would let your husband
join
u was opposed to it at first. Bat he
brought me the constitution, which /
rend, aud be explained to me so clearly
and iully, the principles upon which the
institution was established, that gave
my consent.
Il could never i've mine foI Charles
Do YOU know the secret =
why, no.
Hiave you never asked Frank for it, }
Yes, playfulIy.'
Il should he wretched If Charles be-
longed To secret Order. ] should feel
! had but half his heart. Ii would seem
vcicd and covered up from me ! | am
reloiced that he is not one. How can
YOU erist and not know the secret that is
locked up with such mysterious awe IN
your husbands bosom II is dreadful =
The Odd Fellows wife laughed
hnnriily, and Emma joined in the laugh
with an air Of seriousness.
Il do not think it would be right in me
to press Frank to reveal TO me what he
has pledged his honor To keep concealed.
| would not wish my husband TO peri ure
himself to crafty his wiie's curiosity. !
am satisfied Frank loves TIE no less, and
have secn with pleasure that, since he
has become an Odd Fellow, he enters
warmly into my little benevolent plans
for the poor, which he never troubled
himself about before that be always
now sends money 20 the destitute families
! visit, and sometimes goes with me him
self He has taught me 10 reduce my
charities to system, and how to accom-
pII-h the most good with the little means
| have
'You are so bcnevnlen', Clara-you
are always doing good, somehow. ! be.
heve you had rather see a room full o
ragged children, than a conservatory
filled with plants you seem to love, and
take care Of, and visit The poor families
lust as | do my flowers
well, the poor 0'e my plants, Emma
! love to water ,aem, and tend them, and
see them grow vigorous and healthy un-
der good apparel and noul ishing food. -
| would rather see the grateful smiles
upon the poor chid's face, than the bud.
ding Of lbe brightest flower on the rares
plant
The conversation then changed to ths
fashions, aud other goss, D. A quarter
past nine the geutemen returned.
'Ah, truant = said Emma, smiling, a.
Charles catered the room where have
you been Give true account OF your
self
lie has been with me to meet some
friends, said Frank
~ here ? asked Charles wife, seeing
him color.
'Nhy, to tell you the vhole truth, Mrs
Linden, Charles has been to the Lodge
with me.
HIov cHn he 60 there lie is not al
OJd Fellow
'Yes, he is an Odd Fellow
Charles = cried Mrs Linden, with
surprise.
What say, my dear
'ls il true, what Frank has just told
me -
III is true, Emma. l have to-nis h
been inflated
The young wife would gladly have
been very aLgrv-but Franks gay man
ner, and his merriment at her surprise
drove the cloud away from her brow
'WeIl, Charles, if you have really
been so idle rs To Join this Order, | cam
help it Clara has been speaking highly
of it; but yc, have prejudices Come
now, divulge the secre, and clear you
breast and conscience at once, and
forgive You
'The secret is SILENCE answered
Charles graveIy.'
DON'T tantalize, Charles What il
the secret =
The newly initiated placed his fore-fn
ger on his lips, aud then removing il, sait
unprrsslvely.
III is silence y
How provoking y cried bis wife, vex
ed and laughing. q declare | am hal
mind io-to get up some terrible sccre
H. IN offset TO yours
Don't fear her, Charles said hi
friend. 'She would come and tell it /,
Clara here, aud Clara would come ant
tell IT 10 me before we went TO sleep, anC
then could communicate the 'terribl,
affair to you, you know
i dare say have secrets, Frank
which / never told you = said his wife
afchIy.
How provoking these men are, sale
Mrs Linden Come Odd Fellow, SEE
Af rou can p,t 90 my shawl
The upN Tuesday evening. al the tef