Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-12-08


Mr. Stewart was attentive to the inter.
ests OF lis employer, aud bis kind wife
cheered him by her smiles.
GLOW much there is in woman's smile.r
When he grew weary and thought Of
other days, which he sometimes did, and
was almost ready to complain, that lrail wo.
man would inform him "happness dwells
10 the cottage more often than in the pal
ace"
James proved to be good and usefu
boy TO his new master. Following the ad
vice OF kind mother, how could he be
but useful? On Saturday evenings, with
lJoyiuIness be would rrturn home and spend
the Sabbath with kind Christian parents,
and when Mondays came, with alaclity he
returned to his employer, and commenced
the labois Of the week in cheer fulness con
slantly avoiding bad company, all his lcis-
ure hours were occupied in improving his
mind by reading some useful book. from
which he was constantly gaining useful in
| formation.
Years passed. james was partner of
his old master, nsslduously engaged for
their interest, gSteing friends and making
money; the support of his parents-his
father being in poor health was unable to
do anything toward supporting lis family !;
but he feared not, provided his Sun had
health.
One evening James returned home; he
was seated near his mother, who was atten-
lively noticing the corner of small book
in his pocket, and taking hold of it, she
said,
James, may see this ?"
Certainly, MOTHER" was lis reply.
She examined it and found it was the
Constitution Of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows She wondered what her
son could be doing with tiff he had been
joining secret society. She did not toler-
ate them, but curiosity induced the old Ia
dy to read it. Women are curious beings.
After perusing it for some time, she hand
ed it TO her son, saying,
81 did not find anything in il Injurious"
Then attentivcly eyeing him. she inquired
James have you been joining that Order 2"
Mother | hive: believe it to he cood
institution: in fact, consider it so; and
when am disappointed will leave it,"
Mr.. Simpson, the friend of Mr.. Stewart,
was an austere man, wealthy, and strongly
opposed 10 all secret societies; at this Time
more pariuiarly to the Odd Fellows, who
had established a Lodge in the yillace
where lie resided He was particular !
friend OF James, but his enmity against the
Order was so great, he would not associate
ih an t,n L., l.
to "ihat fraternity" as he call, d them.
a mutual friendship had existed between
James and Alice Simf Mr. Simpsons
My cli'd, who would, on the death Of her
parents, inherit large fortune.
James found his attachment for Alice
gradual Iy growing stronger; his visits to
MIR. SIMPSONS becoming more frequent
They were welcome to Alice, who was a..
ways glad TO be in his company, and on
summer evenings they would often wander
n the garden; sometimes seat themselves
IN bench and plan for the future, when
hey might occupy some pleasant home
tar from the busy life of man.
Mr. Simpson, learning that James had ;
'ecome a member Of the Order be so much
opposed, was very angry, and meeting Al ,
ce, said, "Tou must have no more TO do $
With james, will not tolerate nj Ny i
louse shall not be the welcome place of c
'ersons who make practice of meeting
nee week in secret. and that at night. to =
'ractlce their fandangos and abominabe e
nummery.' plotting plans Of ofde6ance against :
he good ofsoceiy- uprooting Christianity, e
eceiving the uniformed; for if their prin- c
ipIes are sound, Mr.. Hanes says their ?
meetings would be public" r
"FaIher, l cannot believe that that Or. =
er' processes or practices anything that is t
10, in accordance with civil and religious t
berly; if it did, am sure james, and
many more with whom / am acquainted, a
'ould leave it; but on the contrary, if | 8
Understand il, its object is TO increase the h
noral worth Of mankind, to assist each 9th. c
r in distress, bury the dead, protect the {
'ldow, and educate the orphan. Societies I
Inch have such principles, and practice d
lem, Will prosper, Notwithstanding oppo. n
ton and Misrepresentation
Alice was sorry her father had conceived S
much prejudice against what she con q
NS'SN i'Sht anu euutdNOTeu u COuflNCe u
i'm. that if anything WAS practiced at the /"
odge meetings contrary TO tho welfare of d
'clety, James would leave them.
James came again. Mr.. Simpson ad- b
ressed him grufily; he noticed ii, but a
as not aware he was offended at him - Il
imes continued conversing about general ID
tairs. gradually gaining his attention. +
hen Mr. Simpson said,
James, have been informed that you IA
ave united with the Odd Fellovs-is il S
CT" in
Il have become a member of that Or W
,r."
"Are you aware that member Of Sc tc
ct society is not welcome guest at my S
,use 2"
81 was not aware of it." W
"Weil, in order TO be brief about this m
ouble, you are not welcome here " hile &C
u belong to it. ! consider their princi-
es unsound, disgrace to any young man,
I'd while Jou are member of that society,
cannot receive you as friend Of mine" ca
"Mr Simpson, have you examined their at
inciples or have you received your in ia
rmation from some enemy of the Order, Ii
ho knew nothing about it?" Al,