The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-02-18
THE SUSPENDED BROTHER.
by MRS. L. NJ. SEYMOUR.

The formation OF new Lodge IN the toWI
of NJ, in one of our Western States wa:
quite an important event in its fast increas
ing history. The beautiful town had riser
like magic on the borders of the lake, En-
terprise and industry had combined to beau
tify and adorn it and its favorable location
a spirit of enterprise, and the hope of gain had
drawn together men from all parts of the
union. Such men in such place are the
very ones to become devoted Odd Fellows,
and q tlourishing Lodge was already establish
ed there, aud now the formation Of another
was quite an interesting event, at least, to
Odd Fellows and to Odd Fellows wives, and
formed the theme of conversation in small
circle of ladies who had met for social chit-chat
at the house of Mr. Hammond.
mo- no! / shall never give my consent to
my husbands becoming an Odd fellow" ex
claimed Mrs Minor it would be signing the
death warrant of my own domestic happi-
ness
Nor NEITHER responded Mrs Jones, al
though my husband is extremely anxious to
join them, and is constantly repeating to me
the benefits which would result from it.
Benefits repeated Mrs Minor, sneering-
Iy; what are few dollars and cents COM
pared with the happiness of whole family ?
The benefits might consist in the happi-
ness of whole family replied Mrs Danton
who till now had been an attentive but silent
listener.
Can the arrangements of a mans affec-
tions from bis family, add to their happiness ?
exclaimed Mrs Jones'
Can the abuse of that time which ought to
be spent in the bosom of his family, add to
their happiness? inquired Mrs Minot, earnest
ly.
Can the wasting of that money which
should supply the wants of family, add to
their happiness {? continued Mrs Davis
Il can not believe that either Of these eff
fects would be the result of ones becoming an
Odd Fellow, but rather the opposite said |
Mrs Hammond The tendency Of Odd Eel |
lowshp is certainly to make men better-bet-
ter husbands, fathers, and members Of socie-
Il am sure it fails in its design, them re-
piled Mrs NJ, for it certainly has been the
cause Of a great many quarrels, and much
unpleasant feeling between husbands and
wives
1t is not Odd Fellowship, but the oppos-
ton to it, that is the cause oft said Mrs Dan
ton.
well I think it entirely wrong for man
to have any secrets which he can not reveal to
his wife, pursued Mrs Jones and woman
ought not tamely to submit to such an outrage
of confidence
"A woman who loves her husband replied
Mrs Danton, ought to have sufficient conf
dence in him to feel that he would be guilty I
of nothing dishonorable to himself or wife, and
as for their secrets, imagine that ifthey were
revealed to us, we should be surprised at their {
littleness rather than their Importance |
well, do not believe in the necessity or s
utility Of secret societies. said Mrs Minor {
Surely, there is no necessity for guarded ,
rooms and bolted doors to deliberate on plans t
Of benevolence and charity If their Objects {
good one, why not publish it to the world ?
'Their own works praise them, and their f
silent transformations deeds Of charity and t
love are their most eloquent defenders, said S
Mrs Danton +
well, | do not believe in that benovolence !
which neglects ones own family to admins T
ter to Others said Mrs Davis; and | speak {
from sad experience. My husband for years q
has hardly spent an entire evening at home t
with his family, on account of the hurry of h
business ;yet since he has become an Odd Eel f
low, he manages to devote one evening every 4
week with them k
And doubt not, Mrs Davis, in 50 doing S
be believes he is accomplishing more good for d
his family than he could in any other possible C
way replied Mrs Danton. Fortune is a II
tickle goddess, and often deserts her votaries c
in the hour of their greatest need and though
you may be unable now to imagine that your h
will be ever less promising than a
at present, yet an hour of need may come, il
and assistance from an Odd Fellows Lodge t.
may be most gratefully received a
Yes, / have known many such instances la
said Mrs Hammond and with your perlnis- ii
sion, ladies, l will relate a story which may h
perhaps serve to remove your prejudces Ell
against the Order cl
Oh, yesn they exclaimed relate it to us, 70
Mrs Hammond, and we will try to be convince
ed h;
Mrs Hammond directed meaning look at b.
Mrs Danton, and commenced
i had a dear friend, Ellen Clayton. She III
was happy, merry creature, with loving ia
heart as ever beat in a human breast-and dc
that heart with its rich store of love, she be- m
slowed upon ore every way worthy of her. nj
In the eyes of Ellen, her lover had but one L
auIt-he was an Odd Fellow; and in her al
overs eyes, Ellen had also one fault-her lie
prejudice against Odd Fellowship. But each al
rusted to their love to win the other to their &c
'wn views and very little was said upon the til
subject before their marriage.
L never saw more lovely coupe than In
Henry Ashley and Ellen Clayton, when they e1
TODD up in our little church, and plighted to yt
ach other their youthful love and when
Glen bade us all adieu to go with her hus- m
'and to her new home, it seemed as if the
badness and light in her happy heart would m
lever be shaded by sorrow or gloom. wi
Mr. Ashley had established himself in Bos-
on, where by industry and economy, he hop pc
Al tn inpTnoen hic 1ittln fnrtunn to n haT1Dv oh
ompetence. The pleasant little home he ba
lad provided for his bride was beautifcd and an
endercd more pleasant by her many little ex
and the light of her happy face
he'd brightness over all his home ca
The first cloud TINT sIandnrund the Elcn Of hi.