The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-02-25
ORGANIZING A LODGE;
Or, The Boxer and Noble Grand.
BY GEO. W. BUNGAY.

Alexander Capron was tall, stout, broad
breasted fellow, with fist as hard as trip
hammer, and his reputation for boxing raised
him far above ordinary men, in the estima-
ton of every loafer in the town. When the
lrowdies desired to furnish friend or foe with
a suit of tar and feathers, and wooden pony,
this prince of pugilists was invariably select
ed to boss the job. Whenever an unpopu-
lar theory was presented to the public in the
place where he resided, he was the captain
of the gang who opposed the measure, by
Ipelting its advocate with understandable
eggs. He was rarely invited to wedding
parties, but usually attended as an outdoor
guest, with his gun in one hand and tin
trumpet in the other; for he was the leader
of nocturnal band, known far and near as
the Midnight Serenaders." This coarse,
vulgar bully, at one period of his life, con-
trolled the elections in his district, and it
was difficult to secure an Office without first
consulting this human bear He always at
tended the caucus gatherings, with his club
! Of b'hoys, and they unblushingly pushed
modest men aside, and out-shouted and out
voted every nomination made by opposing
parties. Not satisfied with having a voice
and vote at political gatherings, he, al
though an iliterate fellow, manifested deep
interest in educational affairs, and the school
master who did not toe the mark he chalked,
had to suffer the severe penalties of his dis
pleasure. This tyrant extended his iuris-
dicton to the moral and religious associa-
tions also, and was really terror to those
who do good, and praise to those who do i'll.
+ His brutal behavior was beyond endur-
!. ance, and he was regarded as terrible nui-
sance, for he had the courage, strength and
ferocity of a wild beast, and like wild beast
he employed these attributes. In the pro-
cess of time, however, an event occurred,
which changed the current of his behavior.
Some Of the citizens of that place (Or-
angeburgh) determined to organize a society
of Odd Fellows, and have at least one asso-
citation in town from the annoyance of such a
pest as Alexander Capron. They went to
work quie ly, but energetically and perse-
veringly, and soon secured a sufficient num-
Der of names to the petition to send for a
charter. Notwithstanding the careful man
ner in which this business was performed,
there was screw loose somewhere, and the
effort to originate such an institution became
matter of town talk
! II say, Alex, did you hear that some sof
our folks are goin' to jine the what-do you
call-em s'iety?" said Bill Fonda to his com
rade, Capron.
"Spose you mean the Odd Fellows ?"
said Alex, grufly.
"Yes, slr-ee."
"I think see 'em at it," remarked Alex,
with an ominous shake of the head.
"Did they ak you to jine ?" inquired
Fonda.
"No; they knew thing worth more than
that" was the reply.
"Well, what do you mean to do about it ?"
"l shall put stop to such work as that"
Chow can you break up the s'iety?"
"When the feller comes here to form it,
| will lick him, and tear the charter to pie
ces," replied Capron, exultingly.
"Spose he should be too much for you?"
"That is not supposable case. can
whip him, and every mothers son that sign
ed the petition"
"Now, Alex, reckon the best way to-
bust the consarn would be for you to put
down your name, and make them believe that
you 60 hand and glove with them-fnd out
their secrets, and then tell everybody"
ri can find out their secrets without much
trouble"
"Well, now, just let us know how, will
iye?" inquired Fonda.
"Why, when the chap comes to open the
Lodge l will be on the look out for him. Il
shall hide away in the bushes yonder, and
stop him, and make him give up the secrets
and 90 back"
"P'raps he won't consent to do either?''
"He shall give me the grip, the signs, the
passwords, the charter, the books, and pro-
mise not to come again ON such an errand"
He may have you arrested for assault
and battery"
"No, he can't do that thing. put our
justice into Office, and he dare not issue a
warrant against me; if he does, our consta-
BILE is friend of mine, and he would not
serve it; besides there are dozen of our
fellers who will come forward at any time,
and swear me clear"
elf the people here should turn agin you.
and you should be found guilty, what then ?"
"Why then we would shave their horses
tails, pull down their fences, and set their
stacks on fire."
Notwithstanding the disapproyal of Capron
and his club of rascals, the work went brave
ly on. The response to request for the
charter was duly received by mail, and ar
rangements were made to open the Lodge
the following Monday. None but those who
comprised the company of scoundrels, of
which Capron was chief, knew that plan
had been matured to quash the organization.
A room had already been hired and furnish
ed for the accommodation of the Odd Fellows,
and all the parties interested in the move
ment were on the tiptoe of expectation.
"What does N. G. stand for?' inquir-
ed Fonda of Capron, on the morning of the
day the Lodge was to be formed
"No Co." was the surly answer.
"Well, what does &c. s. mean? %
"Got Swamped," replied Capron.
"Well, they say the NJ G. and G. s. are
coming here to-day. Are you ready for
them p v tM -
"To be sure ] ami!
That afternoon the ruffian concealed HIM
self in the bushes, on the outskirts Of the vii
lage, and remained there in ambush, watch
ing for his victim as the tiger watches for its
prey. He had been there perhaps an hour,
when he heard some one coming along the
road ON horseback