Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-09-29
Another Exposition.

gives many revelations of the mysteriou:
order styled Know Nothings by the unin
formed. The following is the narrative oi
his initiation lie was on the Common
At 9 o'clock precisely, stood beneath
the big elm. Ere the sound Of the ninth
stroke had fairly died away, was seized
by four stalwart men, and, in less than a
moment, my eyes were closely bandaged,
and a sticking plaster clapped on my
mouth.
One of the party then seized me by the
coat tail, and twirlcd me round like a top
for some minutes, so that when we started
to leave the Common, | could not tell for
my life, in what direction We were going.
Leaving the Common, was hurried
along at rapid pace, through street after
street till at last halt was made, and a
consultation was held between my condut-
tors. At its conclusion they each said TO
the other-s'I don't huow.'
was then suddenly lifted off my feet,
and hurried into building, and up seven
flight of stairs, and at so rapid pace that
l could hardly catch breath through my
nostrils.
Again my conductors paused, and | was
placed again OF my feet. Presen:ly,there
was knock on door. By the flashing
light that burst thro' the tandage over my
eyes, knew as we entered the room, that
We were in brilliantly lighted hall of
some kind, and, l judged from the atmos-
phere, that it was densely crosded.
| was led some distance into the hall,
when somebody, in a loud and command
lag voice, exclaimed, "halt.''
We stood still moment or two, when
in terrible tone, the words " re uttere',
- BE prepared! The hour has arrived!'
Whereupon l was quickly thrown over,
and lashed upon sort Of settee.
"Oac!" cried the voice, and received
a tremendous whack on the blck. '.T,co."
and second came. "Taree." and l
got blow, the mark Of which shall car
ry to my grave.
"Prepare for immersion exclaimed
my mysterious tormenter. And in les
than five minutes was stripped to the
skin, and plunged nine times into sort
Of vat, filled with iced water. thought
l should have frozen to death on the spot,
and 50 l shuold, verify believe, had l
not been violently rubbed, or rather raP
ed when taken out, with large and very
coarse brush.
Ny clothes having been replaced, again
the voice sounded
"Remove the baudagc and plaster!'
They were taken of, aud l stood in the |
presence of more than 5000 men!
Immediately in trout of me there sat
4 President, on an elevated platform, sur
rounded by A,s chief clerks and secretaries.
The seats ir the immense hall were fill
el with weli-built, and very respectable
looking men, all sitting in profound 81
lence, with heads erect, looking neither to
the right or left, and not moving muscle.
Henry - cried the President,
calling my name, "take the oath Of allie
glance to the order, Of which you have be
come a member
4 clerk immediately advanced with a
baJt in his hand, opening end blank leaf,
r'2ccJ my right hand thereon.
Swear" exclaimed the President
81 swear." said |.
Henry - said the President, ere
ceiyc the coun:ersign. Follow the Clerk,
a. - proceeds"
The Clerk took out his tooth pick. l
ty.s nine ont. He placed it in the left
c.ra.- ot Lis mouth. So did |. He squin-
,l W. h the left eye. So did |. He put
be-. .lh pick back into his pocket. SO
GiL
All the initiatory ceremonies were
brought 10 a close.