The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-04-16

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quiros NO tyii, pd. can be SO easily pro-
eured.p~ ssi lEtoms' H 80. yt
"But you must 15in us, Mrs. Willoughby,r
said the member as they reached the house
Of tho former lady, "you must certainly jsih
US we have such delightful meetings. We
haco to leave our families, TO be sure, quite
often, and complaints are sometimes made,
but really the insignia and secrecy are so fas-
cina,ing! Our homes are not half 80 exeit-
ing as the services at the hall, and then the
trimmings have SO pretty an effect ever
white; not to say anything OF the gosd. we
meanTto do" o-.L a
swell, l vii. join you, if the iniiatery GER
smony isH't pery alarming,' replied the tim.
id Mrs. w.; and again tho musical laugh Of
Tho member was heard, awakening The
echoes Of square "uptown,' and answering
"aot pery' she passed on TO hor owT homo.
Mrs. Wlloughby received, through the
veico of sundry ivory balls of friendly white
ness (,he black balls Of dsssnton lay gensr-
ally untouched by the lovely voters,) unan,
imous welcome TO the inner mysteries Of the
lodge And when tho hour came for the
FIRST step in tho silent hall when tho closing
Of tho door through which she hnd entered
gave warning there was no retreat, the timid
neophyto remembered lhe dark sayings res
pecting the awful invitation Of an |. o. Q. F.,
und felt the innermest spiritual sensations
fanting away within her, and no apparent
way of getting out to tho clear, free air Of
heaven, until sho bud gone throngh---oh
wbatl Those mysterious side deors which
were opened only TO the highest rank, might
they not burst with The horror OF their pent-
up story and ovsrwholm, by their reveaings,
her unsophstcatsd soul! She was very
nervous woman, it was unnecessary to enter
thin such fears, but then she had been mys-
tifed of late with the unexplalnedand dread
ceremonies of the l. o. o. +.
and had considered il o miracle that each
now msmber had passed through the tenify-
ing frs,-forms alive. ,i'sY d
But word about the hail. 1t was fine
large loom, fitted up in beautiful style, and
now filled with the order of o. w. in their
full regalia. Do not mistake those initial
o. w. for old women, dear reader, for
they woro young and pretty, most of them,
and looked charminsly in their different col
CURED caps and badges of tho sisterhood.n
Four thrones, ofblue purple, crimson and
black, occupied the centre Of tho four sides
of tho hall, and had each a rich and graceful
canopy That sweet little uymph under tho
black drapsry is a rogue, | can tell you; and
although sho gave very grave, counsel, and
uttered MS wise big words as that little mouth
could utter, yet there was alurking 81 shan't
say it--in her eye, and flash of dlmples in
her cheek, which could scarce lie checked
by the solemn canopy above her, orihs anx-
ious countengnce of Mrs. Willoughby, tho
novice who was receiving her sage advice
On the blue throne sat maiden whose fair
ness was deeately set off by the blue dra-
perry, and whose looks, half cemie, half ma
jesiic, seemed TO sympafhize with the young
chaplain in her mrlhful warfare with the de-
corum of The place. A young matren, with
The sweet, thoughtful leok of one who mad
the constant memory Of a small piping voice
in her heart, filled the purple chair with gen
tie grace. SL in thecr imson seat sat the pres
idsnt, high in honor for season, and full Of
dignity. The crimson canopy threw a rich
shade ever her beautiful face and the cap
placed wlha careful oarelessness on
her small round head, gave TO her features 81
complexion lovelincss aad brillianoy which
might have tempted brother of the rival or
order to forget his vow.
The sisters out Of Office sat around ON
cushioned seats placed against the wall, and
wore the badge Of their degsee over their
rounded shoulders in as great state as any
D. F. The bewitching aprons! How grace
nly they sat over The muslin robe! lnev-
,r could bring my stubborn mind TO realize
he beauty Of velvet apron on "crcation's
ord" It's a melancholy picture 10 me-
Romance and poetry seem 10 blush at it.
The iniliatory services were closed (safe
Mrs. Wlloughby y by sweet hymn. How
iquidy the melody swellcd through the hall
;aught up by the blue, the purple, the erin.
on, green, and gladly strenglhed by the re-
ieved nymph Of the black canopy! Mrs.
had become sister. anu return
d home with the proud carriage Of one who
lad bravely oarned secret which should
'ever pass her lips!
But alas, the secret that was to make
martyr of her, from mans curiosity, did not
ong trouble her. II was disclosed! And
lire dismay was painted in the faces under
he caaopies and on the wall sisters, as the
tory was told. Who, who was the guilty
ne? Each fair member turned pale at the
uspicion Of her neighbor, but all most sol
mnly protested, that, teazed aud coaxed by
l,her, brother, husband and lover, they had,
,ith the heroism and constancy Of all the
,artyrs Of every age, stood unbreathing, in
n old wemanish sense, amid the fro Of the