The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-18
TRI-WEEKLY. 7

commenced walking backwards and forwards
through the passage leading to the stairway
of the lodge, On the right Of the passway
was the kitchen, in which, and directly be-
fore him as he passed the door, was large
fire. burning, it being in that season of the
year requiring artificial heat for bodily COM
fort
1t SO happened that thg Major kept AMI
Irish servant girl, and she was the only per-
son left with the stranger in that part Of the
house Betty had heard Of the hot gridiron
operation Of Masons, and, knowing that the
young clerk was to be admitted that night,
thought she would have bit Of innocent
fun. She took alarge gridron on which she
broiled many steak, and placed it on the
fire, in full view of the young expectant OF
mysterious grips-stired up the blazing
fire, and returned to watch the result Cler-
ky continued to pass and re-pass the door,
and ever and anon, Betty saw him cast a
Wishful glance at that fireplace! The iron
was growing redder every time he passed.
He shook his head--a sigh escaped him!
Betty was in estaces. To place her victim
still deeper in agony, she placed a small
screen, taken from another room, between
the fire and the door leading to the hall, as
if to hide from his view .he fearful instru-
ment of honorable torture. As the cunning
jade was retreating, the young man with a
wink Of the eye, a beckon Of the hand, and a
e come here'' Of the head, succeeded in ar
resting her progress moment.
rhn+ tbnto 1--we, c,pf tho fra
for noao,n said he, my good girl will you
tell me ~
ooh, Sir but really don't like to. It
wouldn't be perlite.'
ooh! never mind Pm eDceedingly anx-
ious to know''
"Why-a-there is a Lodge up stairs to-
night. And-a---"
Well, well, | knoro there is a lodge up
stairs tonight. But what is that iron in the
fire for' Tell me, good girl, pray you
Tell me quickly.''
Why--why--I--o
"Speak out Do Pm aching to hear -
/" Why, the Major told me as how they're
going TO make Mason tonight, and that's
all know about it.n
That was enough. The oft told tale was
true! atgridiron for him A change
came over him in a moment He would not
be burned with as hot iron as that, any how.
The putting on of hat and cloak was mo-
mentary affair; he sought the street, when
legs, if ever, did their duty.
Soon after, the brothers having got all
things ready, the Major came down for his
young friend, but met Betty, who, seeing
the result of her fun and fearing the conse-
quences. came toward her master, sobbing
and CRYING in most affected manner
The Major soon learned the story Of the
young mans flight, also the cause, and an
swered.
Never mind, Betty. The's such fool
as that we don't want him p
One would naturally suppose that the
lodge had fine laugh over that good joke
upon the return Of the Major. The inevi-
table conclusion is that the young clerk
never offered himself again as the candidate
for admission into the mysteries of free and
accepted Masons, and seat on their rascally
red hot gridiron!
ScHUYIERvITLE VI R.-We learn
from the Ballston Spa Gdzette that Wilcox
was indicted by the grand jury last week,
for murder. He was arraigned before the
court, and plead not guilty We understand
says Gazette, that s9mental alteration or In
sanity,' is the plea which will be urged in
excuse for this horrible deed The only in
sanity that we have yet heard of, in this case,
is that produced by Rum! We understand
he was drunk when the murder was commit
ted. That kind of insanity is very common
DISASTER ON THE LAKE.--A large fore.
topsai schooner went down at her anchors
on the night Of 18Th November, and all on
board perished. She came too of Long
Point, on the afternoon Of the 18th, having
lost her foresail, and, being otherwise dis
abled, lay there repairing damages until the
next evening, when she was struck by q
squall and went to the bottom. Her top
gallant yard is out of water. shah visit the
spot, if the weather permits, and endeavor TO
ascertain what vessel it is.-C0r Bu6. Com
,4dc.
--~~~--~o.~.~~~-y--,-~-.~~~L,~~
On Thanksgiving day, citizen of Sims
bury, Conn choked TO death while dining.
Galvanic garters are advertised in St. Louis
Whatnext2 Why, galvahic bustles.
A town meeting was held in Philadelphia.