Des Arc citizen., 1866-03-08
Joining the odd Fellows.

friend thrnsting his hands into his pockets with all the energy he could sussain.
 .sAnd you will join21
 nDon't you think t Best2"
 aNo sir, once for all, ] do not.
 .considcr, my dear, f you should be left a widow. with nothing 10 support you
 @Siy deala"
 aMrs. Jenlss!p 1 ~wil you listen for moment"
 ~certainly.'
 ssWeH, then, much as ! respect your wishes and you know that love you dearly, t willoe impossible far me to oblige you in this in- stance Ihave sent in my document ana to night nm 10 beinitiated."
 Mrs. Jenks opened her handsome eyes in amazemept, and for moment was lost IT wonder. { 4And so you are actually going to be initia- teds'
 Well, will you tell me about t when yon come home?"
 ~Perhaps so
 Comfopted by this assurance, the Indy offer ell no further opposition, and our hero took his departure. About the hour aftereleYen he returned wiser if not ! better man.
 eWen, my dear, exclaimed Mrs. Jenks, ..wllat did they do to you? what is it like? were you much fl1ghtened2 Come, tell me all about it.a
 Don't ask me, gravely replied cur friend; 1T beg you won ask me
 eWhy not2 am your wife, you know, and wife and huband are one Why not27
 aHarkto said Jenks; did you hear any thng7'
 s.No, nothing
 asiIenee. my dear, remember what shaks- peare says about sermons in stones, books and running brooks. If should divulgo it.'
 s.Who. my dear?'.
 aTbe patriarch of the tribes-even now he may be at our own window
 ..Mercy ou us, ejaeulated Mrs. Jenks ''how you do terrifg body I-II shiy-shiver all over
 "If you don't want to be killed outright ask no more questions
 Sure you can tell something about an idea or two that wouldn't be divulged now.
 "What if you should in an unguarded mo ment let the secret out2'
 ~oh, trust me, t win be safe in ny keep ing
 "You will never tell Never
 Not even Jour mother? You know how ] eossipinr ladies are"
 T will never open my lips to her on the subject
 eTfark.' exclaimed Jenls, with theatrical start; sshear you nothing2"
 Nothing, ropeatad his wife, with upfeign- ed alarm
 "Tis only the wind, unused our friend: T thought that it might. be the grand bashav armed with his aireumventea, covered wit4 tiIe curious devices of the order Now, hasten, if you love me--for the sacrilise am about to make is great-a and you must seal your lips forever on the sasject."
 Well, my dear, said the lady, with a long drawn sigh.
 .sYou have offer heard of the cat being let out of the bag.
 "Yes
 sWel say that cat tonight"
 "A real live cat 2?
 s,Yes. and an immense cat at that. But you shall hear. You shall hear all. het me begin at the beginning.
 ~Thas right exclaimed Mrs. Jenks, heaft- less with interest.
 ..On arriyingat the hall I was immediately seized by four smart fellows, and taken upon the roof of ths building. Here was tongue tied and compelled to answer about hundred questions, al having direct bearing on the science ofastronoaly.'
 ~what queer proceeding, exclaimed Mrs. Jonks.
 .sfIow I answered. these questions must ever rcmaia, suppose mystery fo mysels-cer- tain it 1t is, however, I did answer every one -aithoagh did not know il tir tonight; there a dipper and chair, and four horse team, and don't know what else, in the sky I Is t not a pity that this beautiful scheme is so sadly nsgleetsd,
 'Wol, what tben'@
 " ay, tAe next question F toospbsard to De l repeated, They wanted to know whether took newspaper, and ifso, how much owed the printer Fortunately had just then paid ny subscription; otherwise must have been rejected as noman oan become an oII Fellow who owes . cent to the printer
 eWeH, neverl exclaimed Mrs. Jenks, I .-HhAt an influence those newspapers do exert, to besare!s
 Exactly. But scarcely had I answered these questions satisfactorily, when an inn mense flame shot up, and we as quickly shot down.. { '.Whaa Through the roof"
 "Oh, no! ! suppose we took the stairs, but as was securely bound and toague-ded hardly know how we got down. Ihe apart