Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-12-01

trayed so highly cultivated mind, that Mr..
Henderson found himself regretting that he
had taken the precauton to send a telegram
to Boston, in order TO prove the truthful
ness of her statement.
Mrs Henderson seated herself at the el
egant piano, and after performing few
pieces, invited Mrs. Herbert to play also
She gracefully complied; and after low,
sweet prelude, began to sing,
"a stranger was, but they kindly re-
ceived me.
She sang the piece entirely through her
voice quiveriag with emotion; and when
| she had finished it, both Mr.. and Mrs. Hen
derson were at her side, and the gentleman
| said
! Mrs Herbert. it is we who are blessed,
in being permitted to form the acquaintance
Of so entertaining a-cOnverSer a.s1 musician.
| You are stranger, but dear friend a sis
ter, brothers wife; you have right in
our home. A knight Templar's home is
ever open to the unfortunate. But you
must not leave the piano yet; play another
piece for US, your own favorite.
81 do not know that have favorite of
my own
Your husbands then" suggested Mr.
| Henderson.
Again Mrs. Herbert's practiceI fingers
swept over the keys; and then her clear,
rich, cultivated voice arose III the popua
masonic ode,
Hail, Masonry Divine
As the last sweet echo died away, she
arose saying, That is my husbands ia
vorire."
Mr. Henderson was standing with his arm
about his wife Tears were IL his eyes, an
he drew her closer to him, as he said. 20,
Jennie, will you not learn that piece for my
sake?''
but never could make it sound like
Mrs. Herbert, she replied. for you know
don't ike masonry.
And why do you not like it! ~ asked
Mrs. Herbert.
Because it rises like mountain between
me and my husband | am jealous OF ma
sonry, and the glance she cast upon hiu
at her side, told Mrs. Herbert how this wife
loved her husband and she almost pardon
ei her for her dislike of masonry, upon the
ground she had mentioned But she fell
that Mrs Henderson was in error, and she
said:
''Will you allow me to tell you why love
masonry"
20 Yes" replied Mrs Henderson. Il
should be glad to feel differently if
could
After all w,re comfortably seated, Mr-
Herbert began My father was IA conuri-
sion merchant in Boston, and in conSequeu ,
of causes which | could never fully uud-r
stand-for | was very young at The time
be failed in business Our beautiful home
was taken from US, and he removed mothe
and me TO an humble, but comfortable cot
tage in the suberbS, while he procured EN-
I ployment as clerk in dry goods establish
ment
He was disheartehed by hi, sudden an
heavy losses. 1t was seldom, indeed. th7
. be was heard to speak cheerfully Hi hea.ll
declined, and, before We had ever dreanc
a of the threatening danger. he was con
firmed consumptive. But he was a mason
and we were not allowed to feel that his III
ability for labor had deprived us of the CON
forts of our home. Supplies of provisions
clothing and fuel came regularly to our door
But one chill evening in September, "
h were gathered around the bedside 20 tax
= the last farewell The friends of our pros
O porous days were not there-they left u
with our riches-but a circle of true mani
faces were there. and tears were iru-he
aside which were the overflow of sympa' Il
g zing and affectionate hearts. ! stood l.,
# side my grief stricken mother, who kne
beside the couch Of death, her head bowe
helplessly upon the emaciated hand upo
4 which she had always depended for ,uidap,
and instruction. My father kissed me tel
derly, and turning to his masonic brother
said: L can but leave my dear ones to yor
:. care, and l know that can trust you.
& feel chat poor Alice will not long survive n
q loss, and then this little one will be a hell
4 less waif on the great sea Of humanity.
e give FER to you, not as the child of one br
] of all-the child of the lodge. -
One of those strong noble men lifted Il
l. IN his arms and bore me from the room.
1t had heard what my father bad said, and q
e. though but child of seven years. | cor
a pretended it all | threw my arms arour
~ the good mans neck, who held me so te
derby, and sobbed, 20, sir, will you be Il
E. father ?''
Of Eyes, my dear little gifl, he said, in
"a broken voice, you shall never want"
Mother was frail, delicate creatur
IN aud her constant watching at father be
IS side combined with the last terrible shoe
IL threw her into fever from which she ne
at er recovered We remained in the little &C
tage until my sweet mothers death, and n
ne fathers masonic brothers anticipated o
I'D every want And when | was at last an
lis phan, my new protectors took me away. 4
t, felt that | was sacred charge. | was plac
ar. under the care of the most reliable instrut
n ors, and my health was carefully guarde
| lived in the house of him whom h