The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-11-29

sion to lay them before the Lodge, as
an applicant for my admittance into the
Order. | lreloice to say that was duly
elected, and in two weeks from the day
on which | had observed SO minutely
the funeral presented myself at the
Lodge for initiation into that band
whom I had so bitterly opposed; yet |
must confess curiosity prompted the
act more than the great faith which
then had in regard to their brotherly
love, and partly moreover to please my
friend.
"However, before the initiatory cere-
mony was completed, I became en-
tirely wrapt up in the sublime truths
inculcated, my curiosity took wings, q
better feeling took possession of my
mind, and in heart and soul | became
an Odd-Fellow.
GAS speedily as possible, I mounted
to the highest degrees of the Order, and
in each step became more and more
enraptured with the admonitions taught
and the relation in which man should
stand as regards his fellow-beings.
For the six months that remained
at home after my admission into the
Order | never allowed a meeting to
pass but what was in attendance, fair
weather or foul, was always there;
aud then, gentlemen, did l become
aware of the full extent of Odd-Fellow
beneVolence. AS the silent dew of
Heaven falls lightly upon the earth,
moistening and fructifying it silently
and unseen, so doth the holy deeds of
Odd-Fellowship 60 forth into the world
visiting the sick and dying, cheering
the disconsolate and wretched, assist
ing the widow and educating the Or
phan--and of this the acorld knows
nought. No newspaper or journal her.
aids to the four corners of the earth
the noble acts performed, and no true
Odd-Fellow tells to any but brother
that such a member of the Order has
received benefits from his Lodge.
, "You may deem me too enthusiastic |
in their praise, but think you will ac-
quit me of having too much zeal to-
wards the Order which | have espoused
when you hear the end of my narrative.
"At the end of six months | was
called away from home on business, in
the State of Illinois. I was far from
being rich, or even we'll of, and upon
leaving home I took with me all the
funds | possessed, excepting twenty
dollars, which left with my wife, to
purchase the common necessaries OF
life for her and our little boy of five
years. AS it was probable that some |
weeks would elapse ere | returned, I I
ook visiting card from the Lodge, to
enable me to visit such Lodges as /
night perchance happen upon on their
hight of convening. had proceeded
N my journey as far as Buffalo, where
intended stopping for day. 1t was
ate in the afternoon that l passed
trough crowd collected in one of
he streets, where two rowdies were
irving to get at each other to display
heir pugilistic talents to the lockers on.
IS there was no way of avoiding the
isorderly assembly, except by going
everal blocks out of my way, | con-
luded to pass through them as quietly =
S possible; in this l was successful, !
uthad proceeded but few rods, when, :
D my dismay, discovered that some of t
he light-fiugered gentry had relieved =.
ne of my pocket book and all the
honey | possessed in the world. To o
ook for or endeavor to recover it from
ne crowd through which I had just
assed, | knew would be utterly USE
ess. Disconsolate and sad, not know
lg TO whom to apply for assistance, !
Tended my way slowly towards the i
otel at which had put up. o
" Entirely wrapt up in my sorrow, so a
ldden and unexpected, and needless t
all that was transpiring around me, \
18th my eyes bent upon the ground, | .
as crossing the street when a loud :
ry aroused me from my revery. I F
Used my eyes just in time to catch a n
limpse of pair of infuriated horses
ttached to a carriage coming with
eadlong speed directly upon me. /
rove to spring aside, but without avail, :
ley were upon me, and the last my I
,collection served me of the fearful +
'ene ! was dashed headlong upon the F
ones" N
Il, l