The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-04-25

visions, all means OF transportation taken
away, the railroad and bridges DESTROYED,
and no possibility, therefore. Of getting a
fresh supply, was ANYTHING but delocta
bls prospect, rs it afforded in the future a
very closely approaching picture Of ac,u
al starvation But thought that If he
we're mason there was still some hope
Of saving myself ard family from the
threatened ruin aud for the first time
in my life, long as have been a member
Of the Order, | determined TO have rs
course to it for that aid which it had
promised to me in time Of peril aud dan,
ger.
IL commetcsd, therefore, in the mite
but expressive language Of our Institution
to inquire # Lieut. B was a brother
OF the myctic tie. To my first signals he
promptly responded, audin few minutes
| Was convinced that he was a master
mason. proceeded in the same mystic
rious manner with my investigations, and
was satisfied that he was also a Roya.
Arch companion, and one bright too in
the ritual. Having learned thus much,
resolved 70 try the ez.periment~m erucis,
! and TO make that last appeal, to which
j.hoped Ire would no: he inattentive, for
upon i, vas foSnGsd my hope of food for
my wife and children.
The position Of things at this time
was thus: was standing in the centre
Of the room where the provisions were
, stored on my righ, hand was my wife
|-opposite 10 me WAS the lieutenant !; the
, soldiers had just left with the first load
Of provisions, which they were conveying
to the wagon below. avsiIed myself Of
the opportunity afforded ~ their absence,
! aud by the fact That my wife WAS intent
ly looking on the floor In 4 rensivs atti
I'tode, 10 move back step and to make
THAT signal to which no true mason can,
without perjury, refuse to respond.
| "Ths lieutenant. as he recognized the
bail, seemed for moment surprised, and
perhaps confused. He turned rapidly on
his heel and re,reated 10 window, where
he Sat down and leaned hi, head upon
his hand, apparently IN deep thought
, After few minutes the soldiers, who bad
deposited their f'n load in the wagon,
returned, and we're preparing to throw
another load upon their shoulders. At
that moment the lieutenant arose from
his seat, and in gruff voice exclaimed ::
"Men !put those things down. You
can 60" In response TO their look Of
surprise, he continued, 81 guess there
isn't more here than is sufficient for the
family"
THE soldiers departed empty handed,
and with them their commanding officer.
I As be passed out Of the door he whisper
/ ed to a sergeant, who had previously
been placed there as n guard over the
! premises. What that whisper meant
soon learned. After the officers depar
:ure, the sergeant approached me, and
in a respectful manner asked if could
accommodate him with a place to sleep.
replied in the affirmative, when he said:
| Another man will soon te here TO 70
lisve me. bu, the lieutenant has given me
orders TO remain in the house and protec,
it from aOy depradatons hy stragglsrs"
"Ths mystic sign had prevailed.
was left, not with ten days, but with
more than ten months provisions my
silver and gold were untouched /; and my
house, under the careful guardianship o
TIE sergeant, WAS never m molested during
the remaining stay Of thesrmy.
~ never saw Lieutenant B-again,
said DR.. K, concluding his tale, "bu
this ! know Of him, that, whoever ID,
vas be was good and true mason"
No mason who rssds this little stor,
will, We imagine, refuse bis assent to tb,
proposi'ion.-Aaeksy