Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-03-07
Na,Hsrpt,s Department.
THE MASONIC PASSWORD.

-. THE MASONIC PASSWORD.
Curiosity and timidity are the two important traits
in the character Of Ralph Sloogey. The former
ing the secret of the Masonic fraternity !; but as
he had heard that hot gridirons and pugnaclous
goats with sharp horns are made use OF during the
Ceremony of initiation, Ralph's timidity warned
him that as he was not copper bottomed, he should
first striye-to ascertain, if possible, whether buck
goats and red hot spears and gridirons formed in
dispensable adjuncts in the mysterious ordeal OF
Masonry. To satisfy himself on this point, he en-
deayrd to pump an intimate p personal Maach TREND
ssNow, Jacob" said he, during conversation
on the mysterious subject, II would hketo become
member of the fraternity; but, before doing so 1
think you ought to tell me something about them;
Do thew really brand you with q hot gridiron? and
If 80 on what part of the body2"
Like all Masons, when such questions were ask, (
ed, Jacob would smile and say, "After you shall
have taken the three first degrees, you will know
all about it. Ican't answer your interrogatons.
thing concerning the fraternity; but in vain On
every possible opportunity he would renew the at
tempt, until, at hast, Jacob became offended at
Ralphs persistency, and determined to punish
him. -.
Early one morning as Ralph and Jacob were hur-
ying down Grand street to their respective places
of business, the former renewed his inquiries :,
'sPa give fifty dollars if l knew the signs and
password IF you'll tell me about the password
and grin, Ill promise to never ask you another
question in regard to the secrets OF masonry
Come, now, Jacob-you'v We known me SINCE was
4 bow, and you ought to be aware that it l am
little curious, I never blab. VIII you tel me (
Surely you don't doubt your old school fellow q
Out With the password, and promise you that L II
be as mum as mouse. -.
: Were it not for the sake of old friendship, Jacob
would have long before put an end to such l1hper-
tinent queries but having failed to 90 50, the IN
qistiye Ralph imagined that he would J at last be
When Ralph had completed his last sentence,
which was spoken in loud tone, Jacob turned his
head thinking that the words might have been over
heard by gentleman who happened to be walking
behind them. a.,
This gentleman proved to be Mr.. Hinslow,
who few weeks before had been dismissed from
his position as keeper in the B-Hospital charg-
ed with stealing spoons Although, personally un-
acquainted with Mr. Hinslow, Jacob knew him by
sight; he had been pointed out to him by mem s
ber of the Common Council, OF which body jacob
was also at that time member
The charges against Mr. Hinslow had not yet
been proved; but Committee Of the Common
Council was to enquire into the case at an early day.
and Jacob had been appointed member OF that
Committee.
The last question propounded by Ralph angered
Jacob. and as he turned his eyes and beheld the
man who had stolen the spoons, an idea immediate
" entered his mind. He conceived an admirable
plan for Furnishing Ralph, and resolved to instant
kIfI tell YOU the password" said Jacob, pur-
posey slackening bis pace to allow Mr.: Hinslow to
pass before them, sif tell you the Masonic pass
word, you promise never to diyulge it-not even to
sNeyerps exclaimed Ralph exulting thinking
that at last his curiosity was to be satisfied.
ssUpon your soul, you swear it?"
=, "Upon my soul, swear it p responded Ralph.
as he put his hand to his face and scratched hls
nose to hide smile.
By this time Mr.. Hinslow had passed on before
them, leaving Ralph and Jacob about three yards
behind.
ssYou'Il never utter it, in the hearing Of man,
woman or beast?' asked Jacob.
ssBy the great God, solemnly swearE
81 think that can trust you. Well, Ralph, l
am about to make known to you one OF the great
secrets of Masonry. When you wish to form the
acquaintance of Mason, all you have to DO is to
whisper in his ear the mysterious password. That
password is-sPOoNs
a.snife on his face was displaced by frown.
IT tell you truly-the Masonic password Is
t'Spoons Ha! ha hap' and Ralph made a
feeble attempt to laugh "Spoons! that's HI
ofa password You must think I'm cdntound-
ed fool"
sTm in earnest, Ralph When Masons get in
to difficulty, and need assistance, they roar out the
word SPOONS three times Were you to say spoons
three times, even here, on the public street, and
Mason should hear you, he would Immediately
rush to your assistance, thinking that you needed
Ralph did not believe him; and to show that he
could not be so easily gulled he roared out at the
top of his voice
3sSpoons Spoons |! Spoons %
Ere the second syllable had passed bis mouth,
Mr. Hinslow turned round and faced Ralph.
'sYou said spoons did you? Take that, and
thatP' As he spoke, Hinslow struck Ralph be-
tween the eyes, and then under the ear, the Sc
cond blow lifting the inquisitive man OF his feet,
50 that he staggered and tell to the pavement,
completely stunned.
ssf'l give you spoons" !" roared the excited Hins-
low, as he advanced and repeatedly kicked the
PROSTATE man.
As Ralph made no effort to rise, the enraged
Hinslow soon tired Of kicking him. and slowly pass
ed on, occasionally looking behind to see if Ralph
were following to obtain satisfaction.
Ralph did not require satisfaction, thlnKng ne
might get too much of it-so he prudenty post,
poned returning to conciousness until bis enemy had
disappeared.
Ashe rose to his feet he said to Jacob, in sub.
dued tone, 'sWhy did that man strike me- p
You uttered the Masonic password but could not
respond to the countersign. He is Mason; and,
as be is solemnly bound to do Immediately answer
ed the password by making the countersgn with his
hand You were unable to answer his countersgn,
and for that reason he knew you to be clandestlne
Mason man who had learned the secrets in an
improper way Therefore, it was his duty to chas
tise you. Your life may be forfeited for that indis
,creton."
my life By the great Jehovah, thought you
were only humbugging me when you said that
SPOONS was the password.
-sSh-h-h! Beware'' said Jacob, putting his
hand to Ralph mouth. ''Never utter that WORD
again. Masons are ubiquitous and you might lose
your life. As it is you are in danger; for all the
lodges in the city will be Immediately convoked te
adopt measures that may discover who has betrayed
them. My life, as well as yours, is in jeopardy
Promise me that you will never again utter the
password"
sAnd so spoons is the password" ?" Ralph wa!
at last convinced that his old friend had been telling
the truth" Swell, may be broiled on Mason
ic gridiron, and turned over with redhot trowel,
ever halloo spoons again! -
Ralph has most reigiously kept his word. -
Should be need spoon " while at table, he, nov
asks his wife for sugar shovel, fearing that
be mentioned the proper name OF the article, som!
pugnacious member of the mystic brotherhood