Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-02-13
MISCELLANY.
The Mason's Wife.


The Mason's Wife.
In 1880, having arrived at wears of man
hood, without a fortune or other appliances
promising successful competition with bust
ness mon in my native State, I determined To
turn my thoughts toward the far west and
south, rs furnishing II more appropriate field
for young and entcrprising men, who might
possess the strength and courage to withstand
the,hardships and tolls incident to pioneer
ite. upo conference with three other
young men in similar circumstances we de-
terInincd to wend our way to the v Ids of
Texas, and Immediately set about preparing
Tor our journey for that then foreign land
for Texas twenty years ago, was thought to
be long ways from Louisville.
Wemet at Louisville on the first day of .Ju-
ly, where we were detained some three days
waiting Tor n boat. On the evening of the
thirdday, a small, light craft made her an
pearance, bound for New Orleans: and know
ing the larger class of boats could not then
navigate the Ohio, we lost no time in secur-
ing borths. Though small and uncomforta-
bic, the boat was very much crowded with
cabin aud deck passengers, bound for differ
-cnt points on the Ohio and Mississippi. to-
gothcr with .souc who were about to expatri-
ate themselves and take up their abode in
the land of promise to which we were bound
Nothing of much interest occurred after
leaving Louisville, until we landed at Smith
land, except that our boat formed familiar
acquaintance with the numerous shoals and
sand bars with which the Ohio is we'll sun
Piled, "Ven te water ish nifty low"
At Smlthland several passengers came on
board, and among the number q very dicni-
lied and gcnteet-looking lady, apparently A.
bout forty years old, and her daughter some
eighteen or nineteen, The lattcrwas so beau
,tiful and bowitchingly interesting in appear
ance that Tor my part could not realize
tho fact that her homo was upon this broad
earth, as connected with the children of men:
and yet, to the astonishment of all, those two
interesting beings took dock passage
bound for the mouth of Red River. On tho
following morning the clerk, as usual, Went
below to collect the passage money. The
elder lady informed him that she had about
us much money as would meet his demand
but II he took that. she and her daughter
would pc placed on shore among strangers,
pennllcss. The gentlemaniy clerk declined
accepting the money until he could state the
facts to the captain and receive his orders.-
The captain, on hearing his statement, dc.
sired the clerk to desist, promising to call on
the ladies himself; and in u few hours did.
spent some time very agreeably in their com
pany, and took occasions to repeat his call
several times dnring the day. The day fol-
lowing he also continued his calls, and made,
on one occasion, some advances toward the
young lady, which led her TO believe his in
tentions were not Of the most honorable kind
Feeling keenly the insult, and rejecting up
on her dependent position, sho was, for an
instant, embarrassed, and uncertain what
course TO pursue but being possessed of
strong mind and quick perception, she soon
recovered self-conttol, and gave the captain
signal of distress from certain degree ma
sonic, sometimes given to the wives and
daughters of Master Masons The captain
recognized the signal, stepped back as if felcc-
tritied, and with uplifted hands, beseechine-
~ inquired 'in the name of heaven, where
did you obtain thatg She answered with
:, swect.toned voice, and with all the inno-
cence of an angel, sFrom my husband, faith
or and brother" This unexpected answer
seemed to c0nfuseth the captain the more; for
he certainly had not supposed she was a mar
ried woman. Upon inquiry he learnod that
both herself and mother were wives of Mas
ter Masons. Soon after the clerk was seen
gatlanting the two ladies into tlie cabin, and
the porte following with their baggage. The
best state-rooms were assigned them, and if
tbecaptain bad been the brother on son, he
could not have been more devoted to their
comfort and happiness
At the mouthof Red River, the captain
toIk the ladies TO the only house then at that
place, saw them provided for, while waiting
for o packet. Before leaving, he told tho
elder lady that they might be longcr aetaill-
cd than they expected, and consequently inr
cur creator expenses than she was able TO
meet, and handed her a hundrcd dollarbill,
With emotions Of deep gratitude, she ,assi,r-
ed him that though she ives almost destitute
she was not nn object Of charity. aud h6ncc
doubted the proprjety Of accehting his gene
that the money WAS rendered as q loan, She
said 70 him, Captain, / knos nosthatI shall
ever have it in my power 20 see yo,l again /;
how, then, can Ireturn your money r.,
The captain assured her that her son
and son'inlay, being Freemasons, they