True Democrat., 1846-02-25
SCARED BY A REDHoT GRIDIRoN

no splendid halls, the Masonic body held
its sittings in the upper story ofa we'll
known public house kept by Major s.
who was hlmSelfa Il mason.-AS is the case
now, many new members were olTerino
or asking admission into, the mysteries Of
this ancient body of brethren. WHY il is
we cannot say, bnt there are many stories
alloat among the people, and there ever
have been, that the noviliate is introduced
to seat OH a red hot gridirom and that
in making a man free and accepted broth.
er, they must undergo great many inter
eStng ceremonies, besides being shown the
grips and signals of the order.
On one OCCASION, and it must be some
| forty years ago, according to our informant
of many ofthe particulars the lodge met,
and young, good looking, spruce clerk of
one Of the stores came into the lower room
Of the building. it having been arranged
/ to initiate him that evening. He was or
dered to remain below until all was ready
for his reception. The time dragged; aud
his miud conjuring up what he was about
i to meet hecommenccd walking backwards
aud for wards through the passage leading
to the stairway of tie lodge. On the
/ right Of the passage way was the kitchen,
in which, aud directly before him rs he
passed the door, was large ire burning, 1t
being in that season Of the year requiring
artificial heat for bodily comfort.
1t so happened that the Major kept an
Irish servant girl, AID she was The only
person left with the stranger IN that part OF
the ouse.-Bctty bad heard OF the hot
gridIron operation OF the masonS, and
knowing that the young clerk was to be
admitted that evening. thought she would
have BIT ofinnooent fan. She took
large grIdiron on which she broiled many
steak, and placed it on the fire, in fnil
view Of the young expectant ofmyslefious
gtips-stirrad up the blazing fire, and re.
rusncd to watch the result
CIcricy continued to pass and repaes the
door and ever aud anon Betty saw him
cast wiShlu glance at that fire place =
The iron was growing rcder and roder ey.
crv time he passed. EIc shook his head
SIGH escaped him Betty was in ecsta.
ccs. 70 place her victim still deeper in
agony. she placed small screen taken
from another room. between the fire and
the door leading to the hall, rs if TO hido
from his view the fearful instrument of
honorable torture. As the cunning jade
was rctrcalinr. the Young man, with wink
of the eye a beck0n of the hand. and
come here of the head, succeeded in ar.
resting her progress for moment.
"A-aa-what is that grid iron on the
fire for nowr said he, my good girl--wil
you tell mgF oh! siI! But ranly don't
like too. Ii wouldn't be perlite.'
oh! never mind! Pm exceedingly anxi.
ous to know
'Wny.a-therc is Lodge up stairs to
night la
Well well, know there IS lodge up
stairs 20 might But what IS that iron on
The fire l0r2 Tel me good girl, Ipray YOU!
tell cquichlyn
Why -why--I-5
Speak out. D.! Pm aching to heart
Way The Major told me as how they'rs
going to make Il Mason TO night, aud that's
all know aboullI'
AHd that was enough. The of told tale
was true. lH1I gy.d IRON was Tor HIM. A
change came over him ID moment. lie
would not be burned WIN rs hot an iron
as that, any how Tie putting on OF hat
ana cloak was Il momeulary affair he
sought the street, when legs, II ever, did
.heIrdaiy.