Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-06-12
A Woman that Wanted Peep into
that Private Closet.

determined to have their lodge room done
up clean and nice, and it was resolved
unanimously that Mrs. X. should be cnl.
ploycd to do the job.
After the meeting adjourned, the guar.
dian, who knew the inquisitive character
of Mr.. X. procured billy goat, and placed
him in a closet that was kept as a reservoir
for the secret things lie then informed
the lady ofthc wishes Of the Lodge, and
requested her to come early next morning
as he would then be at leisure to show hcl
what was and what not to be done.
Morning came, and with it Madam X
with her broom, brushes. pals, tubs, etc
prepared and armed for the job, and found
the guardian waiting for her.
Now, Madam" said he, 81 tell you
what we want done, and how We came tc
employ you. The brothers said it was
difficult to get anybody to do the job, and
not be mcddling with the secrets in that
closet. We have lost the key. and cannot
find it to lock the door. assured them
that you could be depended on
"Depcndcd on IL guess | can. My
poor dead and gone husband, who be
longcd to the Free Masons, or Anti-Ma
sons. don't know which, he used to tell
me all the secrets of the concern, and then
he showed me all the marks the gri,lirou
made, when he was initiated, and told me
how they fixed poor Morgan off. never
told a living soul to this day. If nobody
troubles your closet to find out your secrets
till do, they'll lay there till they rot
they will"
IL thought sc" said the guasdian: "and
now | want you to commence in that cor
der, and give the whole room decent
cleaning; and l have pclgded my word
and honor for the fidelity of your promises
Now don't 90 into the closet; and then he
left the lady to herself.
No sooner had she heard the sound oI
his feet on the last step of the stairs. than
she exclaimed, don't get into that clos
ct.' "I'll warrant there is gridiron, OF
some nonsense just like the Anti-Masons
for all the world, I'll be bound. | viii
just take peep and nobody will be any
the wiser, as can keep it to myself"
Suting the action to the word she
stepped lightly to the forbidden closet
turned the button which was no sooner
done, then bah went the billy goat, with
Il spring to regain his liberty, which came
near upScting her ladyship. Both started
for the door, but it was filed with implc
mcnts for house-clcaning, and all were
swept clear from their position down to tho
bottom of the stairs.
The noise and confusion occasioncd by
such an unccrcmonious coming down tt
the bottom Of the stairs, drew half the town
to witness Mrs. KS effort to get from un.
der the pile of pals, tubs, brooms, and
brushes in the street.
Who should be the first to the spot but
the rascally door-tcnder, who after rclcas
ing the goat, which was crippled for life
and uplifting the rubbish that bound the
good woman to the earth, anxiously in
quircd if she had been taken the degrees.
Taking the degrees" exclaimed the
lady, If you call tumbling from the tor
to the bottom ofthc stairs. with the devil
after yc, taking things by degrees, l have
them, and if yc frighten folks as yc have
me, and hurt them to boot. I'll warrant
they will make as much noise as | did"
81 hope you did not open the closet
madam said the door-keepcr.
"Opcn the closet? Eve ate the appl,
she was forbidden! If you want woman,
to do anything, tell her not to do it, and
she'll do it certain, could not stand tho
temptation. The secret was there. Iwant
cd to know it. opened the door and out
popped the tarnal crtter right into my
face. l thought the devil had me, and
broke for the stairs with the devil buttinc
me at every jump fell over the tub and
got down the stairs, as you found us, all ir
heap"
But madam" said the door-kceper
you are in possession of the secret of tho
Order, and must go up and be initiated
sworn, and then go in the regular way"
Irregular way" exclaimed the lady
and do you suppose am going near tn,
tarnal place again and ride that ar crittc
without bride or a lady's saddle? No
don't want nothing to do with the men tha
rides it. I'd look nice pcrchcd on bill,
goat-wouldn't 1? No, never! III ncvc
go nigh it again, nor your hall nuthcr-i
| can prevent it no lady shall cvcrjo thu
Odd Fellows. Why I'd sooner be Il Fro,
Mason and be boiled on gridiron as lon.
as fire could be kept under it, and pullec
from garret to cellar, with halter, in
pair of old brooches and slippers, just al
my poor dear husband was. And he lvec
over it. l never could live over such an
other ride as took to-day"