Maryland free press., 1867-04-04
The-Nlasonic Passwerd.

.rmer quality some years ago made him desirous
.f,.arning the secret ofthe M.sonic Fraternity;
hu, ss he had heard that hot gridirons and pug
,.eious goats with sharp horus are made use of
auring the ceremony of initiation; Ralphs III
s;ai,y warned him that, as he was not copper
ast,omed, he would first strive TO ascertain, II
sossibie whether buck-goats and red-hot spears
nd grid-irops formed ndispensable sdjunets in
lie mysterious ordeal of Hlsonry.. 70 satisfy
limsslf on this point, he endeavored TO "pump''
an intimate personal friend, Jacob Sleeton, whom
he knew to be Mason. 49,, t..,--a.f,. ......
.aNow, Jacob said he, during a conversation
a this mysterious subjest tI,would like to be-
csmea member ofths fraternity, but; before doing
20. think you ought to tell me something about
Ahsm. Do they really brand you with hot
midiron9randi if so, onwhat particular part of the
body7pa ,uc7Ays 0il 7iai " H.1i Ti @! a %.
like all 1Asohs, when such questions are ask
a. Jacob would smile, and say. "After you shall
bsve taken the three first degrees you'll know
al about 1t. can't answer your interroga-
tores.' = 81 y - ~ =
For long time Ralph tried to worm out some
ding concerning the fraternity; but in vain.-
On every possible opportunity he would renew
tie attempt, until at last, Jacob became offended
,.s.Rslph's persistency, and determined to punish
him. 20 ''' ''' ~"
EARLY one morning as Ralph and Jacob were
Aurryihg down Grand street to their respective
dsese of business, the former renewed his inqui-
.hc. .a. s-tgo.........-.si... H..
.tl,d give give fifty dollars If knew the signs
ID password. If you tell me about the pass
sord and grip, I'll promise never to ask you
snother question in regard to the secrets of Ma-
pury. Comsa now, Jseob--you're known me
dnce was a boy, aud you ought to be aware
TINT ifI am a little curious never blab. Will
,ou tell me? Out with the password, and
uromise you that I'll bo as m I'm as a mouss.'
Were it not for the sake Of old friendship, ia
,Ot wonld have long bsfare put an end to such
iu1pcr.inent queries; but having failed to. do so
,bs inauisitive Ralph imagined that he would ct
ha be successful in. "pumping" his Masonic
friend. ''.' - -. .3.t.i t.s..4
When Ralph had completed his last sentence,
vbich was spoken in loud tone, Jacob had
urued his head, thinking that the words might
nave been overheard BY gentleman who hap
osued to be walking behind them. rt .
This gentleman proved to he Me- Uinslow
xbo few weeks before had been dismissed from
sis position as keeper in B-lospital, charg-
ID with stealing spoons. although personally
uuseousn ted with 1fr. Hinslow, Jacob knew
him BY sisht-he had been pointed out 10 him
by member ofthe Common Council, Of which
Jacob was at that time a member; H-
The charges against H. Hinslow had not yet
bsen proved but Committee of tho Common
Council was to inquire into the ease at an eGrly
day, and Jacob had been appointed q member OF
that comm itteE.
The last question propounied by Rtlph anger
ID Jacob, and as he turned hisseyes and beheld
,he man who had stolen the spoons, an idea inn
msdis.ely entered his mind. He conceived an
admirable plan for furnishing Ralph, and resolv-
ID 10 immediately pu! 1t into execution.
..IfI tell you the password, =" said Jacob, pur-
yosey slackeaing his pace to allow Hinslow to
pass before them, 'fI teil you tiaa Masonic pass-
sord, you promise never to divulge it-not even
b q brothcr2" . ...
"ysrer!' exclaimed Ralph, sxultingly, be-
lisving that at last his curiosity was to be salts
fed. .'..'
"Upon your soul, YOU swear it?''
"Upon my soul, swear it?'' responded Ralph
~ he put his hand to his face, scratching his
hose to hide. suile. ..... ...-.
UBy this time Mr.. Hnslow had passed on be-
fore them, leaving Ralph and Jacob about two
yards behind. = 10 e.
you'll never utter it in the hearing of man
woman, or beasu'' asked Jaeos. 50 60 "
by the great God, solsmnly swear!" said
halbh. = .. '..,a,y..- ...u.. ......
~ think that can trust you. Well Ralph,
sm about to make known to you or Of the great
secrets OF Masonry. When you wish to form
The scquaintancs Of a Mason, all you have to do
b TO whisper in his ear the mysterious password.
And'that password is-SrooHs!''
"Spooastr Oh that be-r' CALCULATED RalN.,,
u the snile on his face was displaced by q
~ tell you truly-the Masonic password is
spoons .,..- 4...I.5
R"Spoons! Ia! ha! ha!' and Ralph made a fee
bic attempt TO laugh. "Spoonsl-thats g h--l
ola password! You must think + m .confound-
ed foolv'
"rm In earnest, Ralph. When A,sons get in
difficulty, and need assistance, they roar out the
word spoons three times. Were you to say
s'OOns three times, even here, on the public
street. and a Mason should hear you, he would
Immediately rush to your assistance, thinking
thats needed it,
Ralph did not believe him; and to show that
hscould not be SO easily gulled he roared out
ct the tip Of his voice.
Spoons! SpooSs! Srooss;" .....
Ereths second syllable had passed his mouth,
hr. Iiinslow turned round and faced Ralph. '''
''YOu said ''spoons' did you. Take that and
thNl' As be spoke; he struck Ralph between
the eyos, and then under tho car, the second
blow lifting the inquisitive man off his feet, SC
that he staggered and fell to the pavemsnt, com.
Fletely stunned. ''' " '"
"Ill give you spoonsp' roared the excited
Hnslow, as he advanced and repeatedly kicked
the prostrate man. 80 $500 H''' o..
As Ralph made no effort TO rise, the enraged
Hnslow soon tired of kicking him, and slowly