Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-09-23
How jerks Joined the odd Fellows.

| DOu / YOU tullk IL UESt.
"No sir, once for all, do not. /" s.sa
"Consider, my dear, if you shoald be left
a widow, with nothing to support" 3..f
"Now, whata ridiculous argument. Do
you suppose, MI. jerks"
"My dear?' ~ t sa =-4 e.
"Mr. Jenks?" '-4~,-. es-te t.. .y..l3 "a.
"Will you listen for moment?" ,-Faa
"Certainly.'' 81. e. -ea@a "a 'eH
"Well then, must | respect your wishes,
and you know love you dearly, it will be
impossible for me to oblige you in this in
stance. have sent in my document, and
tonight am to be initiated.
I Mrs jerks opened her handsome eyes in
amazement, and for moment was lost in
wonder. 7s a=nz= .y- a5 ,F.eslgs
"And SO you are actually going to be
initiated?"
eyes, my DEAR" ~
F "Well, will you tell me all about it when
you come homep' -.a
s'Perhaps So" @ s -
Comforted with this assurance, the lady
offered no further opposition, and our hero
took his departure. About the houseef
eleven he returned wiser if not better
man. r,t. t.|..
"Well my DEAR" exclaimed Mrs. jerks,
"what did they do to you-what is it like
were you much frig htened, come, tell me
all about it!' a1 .-a --e Eg.e ' sd
81 "Don't ask me- gravely replied our
friend; 81 beg you won't ask me.''
"Why not, Pun your wife you know, and
wife and husband are one. Why not.
"Harkp' said jerks, "did you hear any
thing?" ne
"No, nothing as
| "Silence, my dear, remember what Shak-
sphere says about sermons in stones, books
in running brooks. If l should divulge he
might hear it."
p "Who, my dearP'
"The patriarch of the lost tribes. Even
now he may be at our window" ''s.t
"Mercy on u.s." calculated Mrs. jerks,
chow you terrify a body. I-I-I-I-
shiv shiver all over" r
"If you don't want to be killed outright
ask no more questions" f s-.t
Sure you could tell me something about
it,-an idea or two that wouldn't be di.
vulging you know" ~
What if you should in an unguarded
moment let the secret outf" ~
@Oh, trust me, it will be safe in my
keeping.' -r -e- -
"You will never tellr'
"Never." --e- ....lss. q
"Not even to your mother? You know
how gossippy some old ladies are?''
"I'll never open my lips to her on the sub
Iject.'' a~ .t -. ,.'ssas ~ r.. -. )
"Harkr' exclaimed jerks, with theatri-
cal start, shear you nothing!'
i '"Nothing,'' repeated his wife, with un,
feigned alarm.
"'Tis only the wind" unused our friend
81 thought It might be the patriarch on his
grand bashaw, armed with his circumven.
: ter, covered with the curious devices of the
order. Now listen if you love me-for th,
sacrifice | am about to make is great-ane
you must seal your lips forever on this sub
ject." ''.'
) "Well, my dear,'' said the lady with g
long drawn sigh.
"You have often heard about the cat be
ing let out of the bag! z"
"Yes."
, "Well, saw that cat tonight"
:. "A real, live cat?" ..- .-..
eyes, and an immense cat at that, {
, monstrous cat. But you shall hear Yor
shall know all. Let me begin at the be
: ginning. ..--,--
!, sThat's right" exclaimed Mrs. jerks
I breatbless with interest.
son my arrival at the Hall, / was i'm
mediately seized by four dozen smart fel
lows, and taken upon the roof Of the build
ing. Here l was tongue-tied and compel
: ed to answer about hundred questions, al
having direct bearing on the science Of as
E tronomy." .... :. -
aWbat queer proceeding" exclaimed
Mrs. jerks .-.s...-. -.
aHow l answered the questions, mus
ever remain, suppose, mystery to mysel
certain it is, however, did answer every
one-although l did not know it till to
ni1bt. there's dipper, and chair, ant
four horse team and don't know wha
| else in the sky. Is it not a pity that thi
beautiful science is so sadly neglected. =
"Wel, what then y s
, @Why the next question is too absurd tt
4 be repeated" :" .-... ... .-
@What was it?'
aThey wanted to know whether tool
newspaper, and if SO, how much l owee
the printer. Fortunately, had just thel
: paid my subscription, otherwise l mus
: have been rejected, as no man can become
r an Odd Fellow who owes cent to tn
printer. .... ..-..
"Well, neverp' exclaimed Mrs. jerks
E what an influence those newspapers do ex
E ert, to be sure" 49,
aExactly. But scarcely had answered
these queries satisfactorially, when an i'm
;. mense flame shot up, and we as quick.
o shot downp' .f.as.. a.ss a.-
"What-throug gh the roof?"
aOh no, I suppose we took the stairs
d but I was so securely bound and tongue
y tied, 1 hardly know how we got down. Ih
n apartment into which was ushered wa
pitch dark, and strong odor Of brimston
[, peryaded the room.' rs 5000 ft@ '--
e Birthstone, my dream" .
De sYes, it must have been birthstone, IL