The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-11-29
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from the Banner of the Union.l
THE ODD-FELLOWS' CARD.

1t was late in the afternoon of a very
cloudy, disagreeable day, in the yea
1s47, that I took corner on the bach
seat of one of the stage coaches thai
piled between Griffin, Ga, and Wesi
Point, Ala. | had been seated but a
Few minutes when passenger after pas.
seneer entered, until the usual stage
coach complement of nine had snugly
.ensconced themselves as best they
could within the narrow limits of the
vehicle. Iinwardly congratulated my
self upon being so fortunate as to pro-
cure the choice seat in the coach-the
back one-at least, / always deem it
the best, especially when long and
not very agreeable nights journey is to
be performed. The Agent" after
peering into the coach for the fifth
time, and seeming at last fully satisfied
that no more could be accommodated
therein, closed the door with jerk,
and ordered the driver to proceed.
With a dexterous movement that
worthy functionary cracked his whip
over the heads of the leaders, and with
"a brisk trot the four steeds bounded
gallantly away. The passengers were
all strangers to each other, and for the
first ten or fifteen miles did not appear
TO be at all a communicative set. But
as the mantle of darkness began to
spread its sombre covering over US,
and each traveller had in turn tried to
place himself in some favorable posi-
1ion whereby to steal a few hours' re-
pose, only to find that the roughness of
the roads utterly forbade the enjoyment
of any such un-stage-iike ease, they
seemed to come suddenly to the con-
clusion that il were far better to strive
and while away the monotonous hours
by conversation. Even this, however,
came forth in short monosyllables.
For the second time had we changed
our wearied horses for fresher team,
and were once again slowly drawing
nearer the terminus of our stage ride,
when the hitherto insipid conversation |
broke forth in more connected and
enlivening strain. Many question,
moral and POLITICAL of Church and
State, had been brought up, argued,
and finally disposed of by each retain
ing his former opinions and views un-
shaken.
Matters were again falling into a
moody silence. when dandyfied little
fellow, who occupied the centre of the
middle seat, brought up the subject of
secret societies. Free Masonry and
Odd Fellowship were freely discussed,
and with much diversity of opinion
Four were totally opposed to all secret
organizations of whatever kind or de-
scription. Two others could endure
Odd Fellowship uery well, although
neither belonged to the Order, but one
Of them did assert that he thought of
himself among the number
some day or other. A seventh one was
strongly in favor of Masonry. He be-
longed, he said, to the Order, and from
could beast of its many in
srinsic merits. As for myself, I knew
but little concerning either Order, and
therefore, knowing nothing, wisely, I II
AOpe, said nothing. <
Sitting beside me, however, was a
middle aged man, in whom unaccount- !
ably took strong aud partial interest I
His high, broad and intellectual FORE |
aead, deep-snnk and brilliant eye, CON- t
lined with locks of raven blackness, q
nd features unusually pale and clear,
at first sight that intellect of @
% ordinary mould dwelt within the do /
aains of his mind. His open, candid r
nd impartial remarks and views CON-
erning every subject in which he took b
part, showed conclusiVely that no b
anatical or prejudicial zeal helped to Y
orm the basis on which his opinions f
Tere reared. noticed, however, that Y
D the question at issue, regarding g
scret Orders, he took no part whatever, :
Ut appeared to listen with unmistaken
aterest to the remarks of his way :, 4
ring companions. Each. having had 3
,eir say, both for and against the n