The Opelousas courier., 1868-09-19
0pelousas, Parish of St Landry, La, September 49, 1863

his eye, and Of whom, the devil himself
was afraid. ....i s..e ..s.,-..
There is one singular thing connected
4 with Masonry OF which you are perhaps
not aware, and that is, Mason never
dies. Occasionally it is given out that q
brother has departed this life, and the
fraternity is respectfully summoned to
do honor. to his remains, but it is all a
sham, a big swindle gotten up to throw
dust in the eyes of the uninitiated. The
coffin is stuffed full of bricks, and depos-
tied with due solemnity in the cemetery,
while the brothers and friends are blub-
bering their eyes out over the grave of
the dear departed, and the departed qui-
city enjoying himself in the back room
OF some hotel, preparatory to leaving for
parts unknown. ~arat ...-
1t is fact, Mr.. Editor, Masons never
die. They may change their appearance,
and move off to other spheres, but as for
dying, they don't do it. 1t is supposed
by some, that after they have transacted
wickedness enough upon this earth they
are transformed into comets and meteors
and 60 wandering through space kicking
up shines and raising the devil generally.
And a great many people suppose that
the last meteoric display was nothing
more or less than free fight between
some rival lodges that had crossed each
others path the different colored lights
betokening the different degrees they
had acquired in the flesh. ~ -.-1 .>
Free Masonry is of ancient date, as
proven by the fact that during the wet
season, Noah used to hold meetings in
a corner of the ark. He was obliged to
give it up, however, owing to the curl
.osity of Mrs. Noah, who Notwithstanding
the fact that her husband placed a big
pair of lions and big crocodile at the
door as outside guard, came pretty near
finding out the secret and starting fe-
t. male lodge on her own hook. /.
I.must tell you of the perils and trials
had to undergo to become a Mason.
On the evening in question | presented
myself at the door Of the lodge-room
' No. 66 500, sign of the skull and cross
bones.i l was conducted to an ante room
where five OF six, melancholy chaps in
sashes and embroidered napkins were
waiting to receive me- %*aT@T1.
q On my entrance they all got up and
e turned back somersaults, and then re-
t sumed their seats: A,big fat fellow, who
$ sat in the middle, and who seemed to be
9 the proprietor, then said: "Sinner from
I the outer world, advance!" [ advanced.
u "Will you give up everything to join
: US I" ssNot if know it, said L; there's
q my wife and fourteen fine" An
/ other party here told me it was a mere
n matter of form. The fellows in the tow
q els then groaned and said, "'tis WE'LL
Il 'fDo you swear never to reveal anything
IL you may see or hear this evening to any
Q human being, nor your wife T. said,
IS " 'pon my word I will not.n They then
g examined my teeth and felt my muscles,
d and made me put out my tongue, and
,s then groaned again. said, eff you don't
e feel well have got a little bottle here
d that -" ~ =" That fat man here took the
|. He then in a voice of thunder, said
P Bring forth the !goat.9 Another fellow
d then came, up with a big cloth to blind.
n fold me. ''sNo you don't, Mr.. Mason,''
ls said mo tricks on travellers, if you
I! please; i don't believe in playing blind
3 mans buff with goat. I'll ride the devi
g, ifyou like, hut don't goi it blind. Stan6
le back, or I'll knock you into smithereens.
le They were too much for me, however
IL 90 ], had to submit and be blindfolded
re The goat was then led in, and could
hear him, making an awful racket among
the furniture. Ibegan to feel that wa
ID urgently wanted at home, but was il
3d. for it and could not help myself. Thre,
q bor four fellows then seized me, and witt
Of demoniacal laugh pitched me on th'
OF animals back. telling me, at the sam
y, time. to look out for squalls. / hay
e. been in a good many scrapes, Mr.. Editor
ce I have been in an selection fight; Fv
re been pitched out of fourth story win
us dow; I've gone down in a railroad col
-. lision, and up In a steamboat explosion
a but this little goat excursion was ahea
in Of them all. The confonnded thing mus
o.; be all wings aud horns. 1t bumped m
by against the tables and chairs, and th
a stove and the ceiling. but hung on lik
ch q Trojan. + turned front somersault
re and rolled over till thought it was a
ed over lwithimea i was justlon the Apoir
" Eof, giving up when, the bandage fell frol
rel my eyes, ard the goat bounded tlroug
N the window with yell like Camanch
all Indian giving up the ghost. / was in
1r- Lodge of Masens.y They were sdanein
yes a4Wart dance around a big skull, an
lr- playing leap frog, and. turning han
IN springs, and the big fat fellow of I'll
ng ante-r0om was standing on his head
In, the corner, finishing the contents of m
or, little bottle. Order was soon restores
ful and. Il was led up to a desk and told
lot stand ut my ease. The Chief Enginet
,es l8f the establ blishmeRt then put his thum
bel to his nose, and stretching out his fiji
On gers III the shape Of a fan towards M
en- commanded silence. The rest of I'll
III brethren did likewise and were silen
II The Governor then addressed me
.2lf "Brother Knobb, You are now one of u
-5DI You are now d member of an institutio
that has lasted over ten millions of year
ty. From this time forward your constitl
ed ton is sound. You aae, iinpervious
lat light and heat. or any other atmospher
I influence You are reswater-proof, fir
les proof, and over-proof. With impunii
III II. # You may walk thro' the lake, or sit on
In bred hot stove ;tf with .impuaity dri1
,c- aquafortis rye whisky, Wahoo Bitter
iii ntiic 4 or any other poisonous substance. Ye
M are free from rheumatism, dyspepsi
4 Hhooping cough, or the measles. III
ne SheriE dare not seize you for debt, n,
ed the policeman arrest You for misdemeal
me or. You are of us and you are SAT
o I Here is theipass7 word ;a with that and
a big club you can get into any lodge
- ftlsr:e+ar1lon, - II fba,, fnolr fbo otb I