White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1868-07-02
(For the Chief.)

Masons celebrate the 24th Of June in this
part Of the country; but it entered the
minds Of some, that St. Jobns's Day
would be IS good time as could be
chosen to have an old fashioned supper
and reunion and they agitsted the mat
ter. urging this course with such force
and good reasoning. that . majority.
and. l might say. all Masons here.
agreed that an affair of this character
would be source Of pleasure to each
one concerned. 1t was agreed to make
it q sort Of "family concern"-that is.
not to admit any but Mssons and their
families-not that they all hold to the
doctrine of close comm union, but to have
q ''good time on their own hook" 1t
was gotten mp entirely BY the Masonic
families Of this Lodge, costing the fra
ternity nothing. 1t was arranged to
have o committee of ten-6ve males and
Eve females-tbe latter consisting of Mrs.
Hanson. Stratton. Formsn: Flickinger.
and Miss Welsh. A meeting of the
committee was held. and the ladies were
permitted to appoint the place Of setting.
the supper. the mode Of serving the
same, and the time. They showed
their good sense by choosing the Union
Church. and arranging that all should
he seated. in order that all might enjoy
themselves while eating. and not DO. as
is usually the case at such places. take q
mouthful aud leave. bot to remain at
the table and partske of hearty repast.
1t will be mbered, that on that
day the installation of officers takes
place, and it was determined to make it
a pnblic one. This was arranged to
take place before the hour for supper
The ladies' took it in hand to solicit do
nations from the Masons and their fam
lies, and well they attended to that part
Of their work. But every one knows
that the most tightly drawn purse strings
will slacken at the solicitation of lady;
yet in this case not much persuasion was
required. Donations were made with q
liberal hand, in the shape of the
good things Of the land. Not only
were the families of Mssons visited in
their turn. but the bachelor members of
the Order were called upon. Your cor
respondent was not neglected. While
seated in a cool and shady place. where
l thought no female foot would dare to
tread. two of the committee approached
with noiseless step. and hsnded me Q pa
per. l sprang to my feet, and said Il
never promised-oh what can l do for
You this evenin, 2" Thy handed me q
paper l looked at it; it looked formids.
BILE; l thought at that instant of the fs.
male lawyer and Chicago but then l
wasn't married. and they couldn't di.
vorce me. for hadn't anything to be
divorced from. They saw my embar.
sssment, and said "Donate something
to the supper" I tell you. it. was .
load of my bachelor heart. I bowed
them away. and thought Of the famales
in calmer mood.
All day long the COMMITTEES and their
assistants worked to have everything in
proper shape; and by 4 P. NJ. the house
and supper were prepared for the recep.
tion Of the guests. The house and tables
were most beautifully decorated with the
choicest selection Of flowers. displaying
. taste rarely to be found. At the sp-
pointed time. the Mssons entered the
Church, dressed in their usual way. and
Immediately the ceremony Of installation
was proceeded with. It was conducted
BY l. N. Smsllwood. in . very impres-
sive manner. During the ceremony. oil
was quiet and attention.
1t is fact worthy Of note. that the Ia.
dies Of Mssous took . very lively inter.
sst in the preparation of everything con.
nected with this affair. The table was
in the shape Of . cross. in the centre of
which was very large cake surmountsd
BY . representation Of the Bible, and
'quars and compass. the cake being upon
J stand. and the whole standing upon .
lark ground. and surrounded BY several
esser.. but most beautifully coutructed
axes and bouquets Of flowers. MAE.
". straiton was the designer Of tn.
AXE. Bot. then. il is hardly fair to !
'oint out particular cake to comment
pon. when al were so handsome and
to the taste; yet to mention sll. ;
'ould occupy more space tbsn you .
'ould allow me. We were somsvh.t
'srful that the preparations would not .
. sufficient for the crowd bat when =
bs provisions came in. il wss sppsies,
'st there wss ample and soms to spare
he number wss greater than 10 expec.
d. and all were most bsppiIy dissp. 4