Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1868-02-05

full Of such stories at the present dav.
Did | listen to one-half | hear of the
kind, l should have my house filed
with poor mendicants all the time,
and perhaps few of them would be
worthy my respect. | cannot keep
you as you request.
Mrs. Herbert turned from the in
hospitable door of the Rev. Mr.. Rip
/ ley. The cool insolencc with which
he had treated her had almost driven
courage from her heart; but she de-
| termined now to seek hotel, where
at least, she might rest herself and
decide upon some hew course of ac-
ton. She had eaten nothing since
morning; indeed, she had not even
thought OF food, but now she felt
faint and weary, and the conscious
ness that she was alone, in a strange
city, friendless and penniless, with
the shades of evening already falling,
quite unnerved her. AS she glanced
up and down the street the first ching
that attracted her attention was--not
a public house sign but in large gilt
letters the words Masonic Hall" Her
heart gave quick, joyful Jump. Her
husband belonged to the Masonic Fra
ternity, and she knew that any duty
a Mason owed to his brother, he owed
equally to that brothers wife or
daughter. She remembered, also,
that to that noble Order she was in
debted for nearly all the happiness
she had known in her life. But IA.
miliar as she had been with its work
ings IN her native city, she had never
realized its universally and never
understood how, like some great tails.
manic belt, it circles the earth, en-
bracing all mankind in its protecting
folds. softening the asperities of dis
senting religionists; shedding the
purple light of love on the fierce rap
ids of commercial life, enlightening
and ennobling politicians, and harmo-
nizing their conflicting sentiments up
on a sense of kindred.
Mrs. Herbert paused irresolute-
What would she not now have given
for knowledge of one mystic sign by
which to call her husbands Masonic
brothers to her side?
Men were passing rapidly up and
down the street; elegantly dressed la
dies were but enjoying the delicious
GOODNESS Of the evening for the day
had been sultry, but among all the
busy throng there was not one whom
she felt at liberty to accost.
y gentleman was passing her lead
ing little girl by the hand. With
quick gesture she arrested his steps
She had observed nothing peculiar IN
the strangers face; indeed she had
not noticed it at all; but Maltese
cross was suspended from his watch
guard, and the moment she discovered
it, she had involuntarily lifted her
hand to prevent his passing her.
The stranger looked at her inquir-
ingly. She pointed at the cross and
said, "That, sir, is why | stopped
you; you will excuse me for address
ing you and please tell me if you are
Mason 2"
q am" he replied.
"Oh, sir, my husband is a Mason,
and perhaps you would be kind to your
brothers wife"
Where does your husband live 2"
In Boston. His name IS G. w.
Herbert he is of the firm of Herbert,
Jackson & Co., I4-street. / was
on my way to him from Wisconsin,
but have been robbed of the means of
paying my fare, and the conductor re-
fused to take me farther. | have ap-
piled to the Rev Mr.. Ripley, and he
turned me insultingly from his house"
The old hypocrite," muttered the
gentleman. Mrs. Herbert, my
house is but one block distant, and it
is at your service. My wife will
make YOU welcome and comfortable.
VIII you except our hospitality!' =
" Oh, sir, how gladly!'
And half an hour later Mrs. Her
bert was refreshing herselfat the well
spread table of Mr.. Henderson, first
officer of Eureka Commandery,
No. u.
When supper was over, Mr.. Hen
derson said to his wife, q l have few
minutes business down town; | viii
return Immediately. Make Mrs. Her
bert feel herself at home"
He walked directly to the Office Of
the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany, and addressed the following
message TO his brother in Boston =
is G. w Herbert, L-street, mem
Der of our order, and his wife in the
West Answer Immediately"
When Mr.. Henderson returned
home, he found his wife and Mrs. Her
bert in an animated conversation :;
and he was surprised to note the
change IN the strange lady's appear
ance, now that she felt herself among
friends. Her face wore so genuine an
impression of sweetness and purity;
her conversation was expressive of
such lofty sentiments, such real good
ness Of heart,an betrayed such a high
" cultivated mind. that Mr.. Hender-
son found himself regretting that he
had taken the precaution to send a
telegram to Boston IN order to prove
the truthfulness Of her statements.
Mrs. Henderson seated herself at
the elegant piano, and after perform
ing several pieces, invited Mrs. Her
bert to play also. She gracefully
complied, and after low sweet pre-
lude, began 10 sing