, 1864-12-30
Mrs. caudle Wanted to Find Out.

Mr. Caudle was made Mason, and Mr.. Cau-
die, burned, SCARED, fatigued and filled with
good supper, taken at a late hour, went home
with fear and trembling and endeayored to get
to the back side of the bed without awakening
the Goods last best gift to man. who was
slumbering in front, and whom he supposed to
be sleeping, but Caudle was mistaken, for as
be slipped beneath the bed drapery, the lady
said
$50 you are there are your Well, only
wish was Queen for day or two, I'd put an
end to Freemasonry and all such trumpery, l
know.
oNow, come, Caudle, don't let's quarrel. Ehl
You're not in pain, dear? What's it all about
What are you lying laughing there at2 But
Pm fool to trouble my head about you.
"And you're not going to let me know the Sc
cret, eh You mean to say you're not2 Now,
Caudle, you know it's hard matter to put me
in a passion-not that | care about the secret
itself; no, 1 wouldn't give button to know it,
for its all nonsense, I'm sure. 1t isn't the Sc
cret care about, it's the shght-Mr. Caudle;
it's the studied insult that man pays to his
wife when he thinks of going through the world
keeping something to himself-that he won't let
her know Man and wife one indeed
should like to know how that can be, when a
mans a Mason-when he keeps a secret that
sets him and his wife apart2 Ha you men
make the laws, and so you take good care to
have all the best of EN- to yourselves; other
wise a woman ought to be allowed divorce
when man becomes Mason. When he's got
a sort of corner cupboard in his heart-a secret
place in his mind-that his poor wife isn't al
lowed to rummage! Caudle you shan't close
your eyes for a week-no, you shan t-unless
you tell me some of it. Come there's good
creature; there's a love. Pm sure, Caudle,
wouldn't refuse you anything, and you know it,
or ought to know it, by this time. only wish
had secret2 To whom should think of con-
hding it but.to my dearest husband l should
be miserable to keep it to myself, and you know
it. Now; Caudle Was there ever such a man;
III cry A man, indeed A brute2-yes, Mr.
Caudle, an unfeeling, brutal creature, when you
might oblige me and you won't. I'm sure 1
don't object to your being Mason; not at ALL
Caudle say it's a very good thing; | dare say
it is-it's only, only your making secret of it
that vexes me. But you'll tell me-yOu'll tell
your Margaret? You won't You're wretchl
Mr.. Caudle. <
But know why; oh, yes l can tell. The fact
is, you're ashamed to let me know what fool
they've been making of you. That's it. You,
at your time of life-the father of family. 1
should be ashamed of myself, Caudle. And
suppose you'll be going to what you call your
lodge every night now Lodge, indeed. -Pfet-
ty place it must be, where they don't admit
women. Nice goings on, dare say. Then you
call one another Brethren / Pm sure you d re-
lations enough, you didn't want any more But
l know what all this Masonry's about. It's only
excuse to get away from your wives and fam
lilies, that you may feast and drink together
that's all. That's the secret. And so abuse
women--as if they were inferior to animals, and
not to be trusted. That's the secret, and moth
ing else. Now, Caudle, don't let us quarrel
Yes, know you're in pain Still, Caudle, my
love; Caudle Dearest. l say Caudle p
'I recollect nothing more,' says Candle, "for
l had eaten hearty supper, and somehow be-
came obliYious."