The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-06-05

My poor dead and gone husband, who bo
longed to the Froe Mlsons, or Anti. .Masons
I don't know which. used to tsll me oil tb'
secrets of tho concern, and when be showed
all Of the marks tho gridlrun made when b
was initiated. and told me how they fxed
poor Morgan. never told 9 living soul Il
this day. Ifnobody troubles your closet
to find out your secrets till l do, they'll Lay
there till they rot-they will" .rs o."
~ thonght sO,r said the guardian, "snd
now want you to commence in that corner,
and give the whole room decent cleaning,
and I have pledged my word and honor for
the fidelity TO your promise now don't g
into that closet" and then left the lady to
herself. ....- i'
No sooner had she heard tho sound Of biz
foot on the last step Of the stairs than she
e1elaimsd-"Dont 20 into that closet III
warrant there is gridlron, or some nonsense,
just like the Anti-Alason for all the world
Ill be bound. I will just take peep, mo-
body will be any visor, as ! can keep It to
myself.
Suiting the action to the word. she step
ped lightly to the forbidden closet-turned
tho button-which was no sooner done, than
bah went the billy.goat, with spring to
regain his liberty, which came near upset
ting her ladyship. Both started 10 the door,
but 1t was filed with implements for house
cleaning, and all were swept to the bottom
Of the stairs. ... .
The noise and confusion ocsasionod by such
unceremonious coming down stairs, drew
half the town TO witness Mrs. KS efforts TO
get from. under the pile ofpails, tubs, brooms
and brushes into the street.
Who should be the frst on the spot but
the rascally door-kseper, who after releasing
tho goat, which was cripple for lifo, and
uplifting the rubish that bound the good
woman to tho earth. an1iously inquired If
she had been taking the degrees.
Taking the degrees Z" exclaimed tho
lady "if you call .umbling from the top to
the bottom of the stairs, with the devil after
you, taking things by degrees, i have them,
and If you frishtcn folks as you have me,
and hurt them to boot, I'll warrant they'll
make as much noise as l did.
~ hope you did not open tho closet Mad.
ame,' said the door keeper.
"open the closet ? Eve ate tho apple she
was forbidden If you want woman to do
anything, tell her not to do II, and she'll
do it certain. l could not stand the tempta.
ton. The secret was there. WANTED to
know il. Iopcned the door, and out popped
the tarnarl critter right into ny lace. !
thought that the devil had me. and I broke
for the stairs, with the devil butting me at
every jump fell over the tub and got down
the stairs as you found us, all in . heap"
"But, madam" said tho door-kecpcr,
"you arc in possession Of The great secret oi
the Order, and must 60 up and be initiated,
sworn and then go in, the regular way"
"Regular way !" exclaimed tho lady,
"and do you suppose I am going near the
tarnal place again, and ride that or critic,
without bride or lady,s saddle 2 No
never /! don't want nothing to do with
that man that rides It. Id look nice perch.
ed on billy goat would'tI! No, never I!
Ill never 60 nigh IL again, nor your hall
nuthor-if I can prevent it, no lady shall
ever join the Odd Fellows. Why, Id SOON
er DO Free Mason. and be broiled on grid
iron as long as6 fire conld be kept under 1t,
and pulled from garret to cellar with hal.
ter, in pair Of old breccbes and clippers
just as my poor dead husband was he lived
over It, but never could outlive such o
mother ride Us I took to-day"