Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-01-09
A Woman that Wanted Just to Peep
into that Private Closet.

/
A lodge of |. o. o. F., at Woodstown,
determined to have there lodge room done
up clean and nice: it was resolved unanim-
ouslv that Mrs. K shoul! be employed to
do the job.
After the meeting adjourned, the Guardi-
an, who knew the inquisitive character of
Mrs. K. procured billvgoat, and placed
him in closet that was kept as reservoir
for the secret things. He then informed the
lady of the wishes Of the Lodge, and reqnes
ted her to come early next morning, as he
would then be at leisure to show her what
was and what was not to be done.
Morning came, and with it Madame K.
with her broom, brushes, pals, tubs,s &c.
prepared and armed for the job and found
the Guardian waiting for her.
Now Madam, said he, | tell you what's
to be done ,and how We came to employ you.
The brothers said it was difficult to get any
body to do the job, and no: be meddling
with the secrets in that little closet; we
have lost the key, and cannot 6nd it to lock
the door. | assured them that you could
be depended on
Depended on ? said she, | guess [ can.
My poor dead and gone husband, who be-
loDged to the Free Masons, or Anti-Masons,
don't know which, used 70 tell me all the
secrets Of the concern, and then he show
ed me all the marks the gridiron made
when he was initiated, and told me how they
fixed poor Morgan, never told living soul
to this day; if nobody troubles your closets
to find out your secrets till do, they'll lay
there till they rot-they WILL
L thought So said the Guardian, and
now | want you to commence in that corner
and give the whole room decent cleaning,
and | have pledged my word and honor for
the fidelity to your promise. Now, don't
go into that closet, and be left the lady to
herself.
No sooner had she heard the sound ofhis
feet on: the last step Of the stairs than she ex
claimed, Don't 60 into that closet.! III
warrant there is a gridiron, or some non
sense, Just like the Anti Masons for all the
worId-l'Il be bound. l will just take one
peep, and nobody will be any wiser, as
can keep it to myself
Suitng the action to the word she step
ped lightly to the for idden closet, turned
the hutton. which was no sooner done thar
bah |! went the billy goat with spring f
regain his liberty, which came near upset
ting her ladyship. Both started for tn
door, bu' it was filed with implements 70
house cleaning, and all were swept. clea
from their position down to the bottom G
the stairs.
The noise and confusion occasioned b
drew half the town to witness Mrs KS e
fort to get from under the pile ofpaiIs, tubs
brooms and brushes in the street.
Who should be first to the spot but til
rascally dool keeper, who after releasing tf
t goat, which was cripple for life, and VI
htl'ng she rubbish that bound the good w
man to the earth. anxiousy inquired if 81
a had been taking the degrees?
y Taking the degrees = exclaimed the lad
o if you call tumbling from the top to Il
q bottom of the stairs, with the devil after V
:, taking things by degrees, have them, al
d if fye frighten folks as ye have me, and .hu
!, them TO boot. III warrant they'll make
J. much noise as [ did
Il hope you did not open the closet, M
y DAM said the doorkeeper.
- open the closet? Eve ate the apple s
., - was forbidden If you want a woman to
anything, tell her not to do ii. and she'll
.e it certain. could not stand the template
le The secret was there-I wanted to know
r, | opened the door. and out popped the Il
ls nal cri,ter right into my face. thought t
e 'e devil had me. and I broke for the stai
~ with the devil butting me at every jump.
50 fell over the tub and got down stairs as Y
III found us. AL in a heap
he But, Madam said the doorkeeper. V
r. are in possession of The great secret of I
u; Order, and must be initiated, sworn, a
= llen 60 in the regular way
- Regular way! exclaimed the lady, a
do you suppose | am going near the tar
ng place again, and ride that ar critter witht
n bride or ladys saddle? No, never
re- don't want nothing to do with the man t
tut rides it. I'd look nice perched on b
ch goat, wouldn't | No never! I'll never
,ot nigh it again. nor your hall nuther. !
can prevent it, no lady shall ever join
ng Odd Fellows. Why, I'd sooner be
lot Mason, and be broiled on gridiron as L
as fire could be kept under it. and pul
ng from garret to cellar with halter in a
eOa tla ofold britches and slippers, just as my ?
'ba iba husband was. And he lived over it, b
never could live over such another ride a
took to day.
the A PREsENTIMENT Of DEATH AND ITS I
oil FILMENT-About two or three years ag
is young lady, resident of this village,