The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-05-07
From the Rochester Democrat.

HOW ONE MAN WAS KEPT FROM LODGE.
Just so, Mrs. Cutter; every Tuesday night
and Wednesday, and in fact every night, its
lust as Mrs. Slocum says. Tuesdays they
are Masons, Wednesdays Sons of Malta and
it makes fools Of them, all the rest OF the
week Yes, that's so, Mrs. Slocum, and
like as not Saturday oil day run itself into
the ground 'ripest apples soonest rotten.'
'Now Pll tell you what I'D DO 'Wel!,
what, Mrs. D. p sI'd-I'd-well,j just wait
till nv husband joins, and I'll show you.'-
~ our husband why, Slocum said he was
one Of the first members what, Qorlin?'
Eyes. of course you've been we'll fooled to
be sure he is.' sAnd didn't tell meH said
Mrs, d. in dismay the scamp When do
thew meet3' sTo-night-it's Wednesday,
Good. day, ladies; I'll 60 home to tea. No
thank YOU, Mrs. Kirt, III 60 home , and the
door closed on Mrs. d. SWELL, guess her
supper III be a tea fight Didn't Dorlin
come it over her, though? tell you, Slo-
cum couldn't be 90 sly. What'l she do "
'Scold and rave, and cry and pray, and every
thing, but it wont do any good; klrt is a
Mason, and done all that and he only said
sdon't exhaust yourself, my dear > but now
Eve found out don't care anything about
it. tied Kirts big toes together, and he
told some, and got Morgan's book but that
don't tell half 'How is it" well, when
they 20 the lodge they meet man ut the
door dressed in woman's clothes, he scrapes
one foot and puts his hand behind him an
saws, Brother, whence contest thou! AND
if he SAYS a word, he amt one; but it ne don't
saw word, and takes horse-fddle out OF
his pockat, he is on. He gets in and says,
Brethren; > they say, 'Brother;' he says,
Square , they say, 'All highland that's
the way he gets in; but if he don't put his
left leg over the back Of chair that always
stands by the door he amt one.'
Now, Mrs. Kirt, Slocum told me they
took hold Of the nape of the neck, and said
acknowledgements, and the man winners
like a horse; and they said, welcome,
brother.' Brethren sing the chorus, ana
they sung, sCome rest in this bosom,' and
walked in long row. l didn't believe 1t,
but he said it was true, and made me swear
wouldn't tell 80 l shouldn't wonder II 1t
was so. lie told me 80 confdentially, and
wouldn't have one of you tell for anything
they might get hold Of it and lynch him.,
sIt's no such thing; it's the most solemnest
thing that ever was. They all drop on their
knees, and are not allowed to rise till the
.spirit moves , and then they oil say the
LORDS PRAYER, and the first chapter OF Cen
esis. Now, that's sony cousins nusoano
has been one ten years-she said. But they
have the greatest times at the Sons OF Malta.
Every one wears a dough face, and they
carry long stick with a pin in the end, point
cut, and when one gets out OF order, they
stick it in his side whole length and they
amt let to scream, neither; and when they
take one in, the members run at HIM and pin
him fast to'-'Pshaw, don't believe that,
Mrs. CUTTER you can or not, just as you
please but know the night Cutter got
home, and asked him how he liked being
pricked to death, be said 'Why?' and looked
rs guilty as dog. just then Mrs. Dorm
came back. left ID. fxin, but guess ne
won't 20. Here comes Dick after me al
ready. Go to the door Slocum. Dick said
'his father had the cholera, and sent him for
the Doctor and his mother, quick as ne could
60. ,,,,
Z Needn't go for the Doctor yet Dick. I'll
20 home. Mrs. Slocum may need help
| don't want any fuss, but you 60 and make
a big mu, t lrd plaster; that's always effect
nal in such cases. As We got in the door,
a heart rending groan came to our ca E.
NJ 8. ID. turned white, but told her men al
why's made an awful fuss if they were little
SILK. We vent to the bedroom. Dorlln
hal disrobed and was in bed, and you wou'"
have thought in the last stages Of an ow III
disease. 'Oh, my dear Frederick, must YOU
die ? was Mrs. DPS first words. 'Dld you
ever see any one look so awful? Where do
you feel worst?' 'Here,' said he putting his
hand about on the pit of his stomach. 'Rch-
ard 20 right straish for the doctor, your
father is DYING screamed Mrs. d. knew
Dick stopped in the street to play marbles,
but knew if he was dying doctor
could not help him. ID. gave an awful
groan. Anything you have to say SAID l.
My poor wife, how she will miss me- "a
strange smile fitted over Mrs. DPS face,)
but the brethren will take care of herr
Mrs. D, gave him dose of laudanum and
camphor. D. made face like that of dy-
ing man. Mrs. Myers came in. 'Dyina,'
said she. 'Yes,' said D.. holding out his
hand, 'Good-bye. Comfort my wife, feel
easier, it is probably the last Not mus
tard, wife; YOU know hate mustard 1T
may save your life; when you can't bear it
any longer, III take it OFF, 'Very large
isn't it cut u piece off, 'lf die moancd
the sufferer, 'the Brethren will befriend YOU
I'll put it all on said Mrs. ID.
Mrs. kirt came in. Mrs. d. had been
bathing DPS face in salt and whisky, and it
did look awful. is he dead? said Mrs.
kirt. '1Ie's quictcr,' said |. lie began
picking at the bed clothes. Bad sign: very
bad,' said Mrs. kirt. THAT plaster, my
dear, is blisteriug.' Mr.. d. took it OF
'Did not quite blister; so much disense,..
said she, very calmly. 'Givc me one kiss
said ID. Mrs. ID. put both hands to her face
and sobbcd afterwards | remembered 1t
sounded like smoker. ID. sank into sound
sleep. 'lt's the laudanum you'd better 60
home. He'll be better after this, and If 7
need you III send Dick
Next day went in. 'D.'s gone down
town. 'Down town. said. Why, he was
a dying man twelve hours ago. ''rwas only |
the ipecac he had in his SUPPER said Mrs:
d. Il said he'd stay home one night, and
he did. The mustard plaster was pretty
strong, but he can just wear his clothes, and
he's got to 90 and tell every one how near
dead he was We enjoyed a good laugh
over his last words, and with many promises
of secrecy went home. Slocum came to
dinner. 'Dorlin like to died last night
'Yes,' said |, Twas there; he was awful sick
lit was too bad; lodge-night, too; rather
singular Look out you don't eat too
much ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS cholera How
| uchcd to tell.
A SYMPArHIzER.