The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-11-22

Il - # n 4 4
"But what has all this to do with the
Odd Fellows secret2 2" says one. who
has read thus far, and finds no connec-
ton between the title and the tale. |
beg your pardon, good sir. for being so
proliy, and ask your indulgence but a
little longer r7'r
We have seen that Mrs. Woodbury.
was gossip of the most inveterate
sort. The prison of aspS was under her
tongue. and she delighted in scandal,
not merely because she loved to hear
and tell some new thing. but for the
mischief which evil speaking did, and
the stab il gave to neighbor's peace.
Soon after the affair of the church meet
ing. Lndge of Odd-Fellows was es-
tablished in the place. Elder Wood
bury hesitated awhile about joining it.
not that he had scruples because it was
a secret society. but he feared his abii-
ty to keep that secret. The members
were very DESTROYS to enroll him among
their numbel and finally. being a con-
scientiouS man and unaccustomed to
sul,terfuge. he told them the truth
Il do talk i'll my sleep" said he,
.bnt never reveal much unless led on
hy questions. Now, am sorry to say,
| caunot trust my wife. Polly is good
woman in her way, but she has dread
ful itching ears"
Yes. that they all knew. though they
did not say so to the elder; and it oc-
curred to one of their number-Some-
thing of a wag. by the way-ihat if
they could cure this propensity in Mrs.
Woodbury. they would be doing the
commuuiiy service. The next day
they communicated their plan to the
elier. who was. however. somewhat re-
lnctanl at fist to consent.
..FlI zee how Polly feels about it." he
said and returned home 10 discuss the
matter. He did not need to study even
an instant for he was no sooner seated
at the tea-table than Mrs. Woodbury.
began
"Well. husband, | have been out,
making calls this afternoon, and no.
thing is talked about but the 0dd-Fel-
lows Society. Gracious NE. what
name! None too good, warrant, either.
There is always some wlckedness where
there is so much secrecy. hope you'll
never be guilty of anything you'll be
ashamed to tell your wife"
'Oh no, Polly: but if | should join
the Lodge. and solenInly promise not TO
reveal the secret, you would not wish
me to tell lie. even for your sake"
why no, mol exactly tell lie; but
then a mae should have no secrets from
his wife do wonder, though, what it
is they ave 50 private about
well. wife. | suppose if they were
willing 10 tell Won their secret, you
wau!d hardly have the courage to go to
their room Il near IT,"
Il wonder who you think You're talk
ing Ia. Mr.. Woodbury. If there's
woman in town that's got more spunk
than myself Fd like to see her. Didn't
90 and STAY all night in the haunted
house AT Witch Hollow, and didn't 90
AT midnight to the graveyard 10 see old
HanSon's ghost q
Yes, yes, my dear; but you forget
that yon persna lei me to 90 and stay
all night with yon in the haunted house.
and that we had good reason 10 believe.
beture We went to the churchyard, that
the ghost was nothing more than Bob
Wilkes in a white sheet: but you said
that you wanted to see how ghost
looked"
''Well. then. I'm no more afraid of
tine o d-Fellows than of Bob Wilkes in
a white sheet, and IT'S my opinion they
are no beiter.H
II am glad that you have so much
courage. for tonight intend to join the
Lodge. and Tomorrow evening YOU are
requested 10 meet with them and near
their secret You must know | told
them that you We're opposed to secret
societies. You must not, OF course, re-
veal what you hear"
Trust me far that said Mrs. Wood
bury
The next day at sunset Mrs. Wood
buy. in her black silk gown and best
bonnet. was in readiness for her hus-
band. She was obliged TO stife her
curiosity some two hours al least before
her husband appeared Now it must
be known that she had never seen the
room or regalia of the members. She
knew not even that they wore any but
their ordinary dress. Her surprise was
therefore great. as she entered the
spacious aud elegantly furnished hall.
A rich tapestry carpet covered the
floor: heavy curtains fell from the
gilied cornice IN thick folds: while
lamps of curious workmanship. sus-
pended from the ceiling, shed suft
light upon the rich damask canopies of
the Lodge. Burning pastiIes perfumed
the place. and the rich regaIia of the
members-the white satin, red and
blue velvet aprons, and flowing scaris-
mingled their colors like the various
hues of the rainbow in The reflected
light ,aH h4n
In massive chair, beneath GRIM
sou cauopy. Invested with all the in
sigma Of his office, sal the Grand Mas
ter; Iatge Bible lay open before him.
Poor Ms Woadbury stood for moment
petritied with Amusement Bob Wilkes
ina white sheet was nothing to it. A
chair was given her. and she sank into
il. Her husband gliied from her side.