The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1870-09-01
TEE MASONIC CulRIsrMAS.

I" | cannot do il -
The speaker was n noble looking
man of about lifty years Of age, Of
commanding presence, his snow white
hair and beard giving him a Senera-
bic appearance, ahl more advanced
nge than that to which ne had actualy
arrived. lie was seated in an easy
c.,air in q room in which, ut glance,
it could be seen that comfort and moi
show had been consulted. \ few
choice pictures decorated the walls, a
library of choice and apparently wei
use. books occupied IN entire s.dc OF
tLe apartment, and unpretonding sola
besides the circular ccn,cr.iabIe GOV.
e.ed with books, magazines and pa
pcrs. and sustaining u brilliant lamp
w,s the most prcteuiious piece OF fur
nj ire. i fire OF coal burned in the
crate. for the uncomfortable, uncomcly
and melancholy sir.right stove hal
no, been allowed to outrage the sense
of what cons ituted comfort entertained
By the p.inciplc occup ut.
Z" | cannot do it y
The wo'ds were spoken kindly but
firmly, aud there was also an accent OF
sorrow which the attentive observer
mirh, have detected, as ii they wcr,
@ led out by strong sense of dGty
in oppo,ition to the secret desire Of a
yearniug heart. AS though the vii
was ov empowered aud controlled by
The iud gement-as though the convic
ton of right held in th'allthc anxious
wish to acquicscc in the proposition
and grant the request
II cannot do it,.
Tho words were spoken to youth
iul and yet not youthful looking indi
vidual who leaned on the back OF the
easy chair in which the elder sat The
lines which en- ly dissipation never
fails to eugravc upon the human coun-
,cnoncc were to be seen not the
deep burrows which nge leaves on
brow and check, but the more shall
low aud less honorable ones that late
hours. wiie and licentiousness fail
not to bes'ow upon tLeir devotees
With form as beautiful as sculp'
tors dream, IA he,d that might have
been the casket of mind a' noble as
ever dwelt in human incarn ton
AIDED with luxurani ma ses q jctty
hair. he looked little less nan archar
gel fallen. and he looked what he we
really and truthiully.
"Then you will not present it 2
said the younger of the t~o, after q
brief pause.
IL have already id cannot" was
the reply. 81 would do anything that
would reclaim you-you, my dear sis
RS child, loved MS II you were my
own, but even for that | will not bring
disgrace upon the institution | so fer
vently love aud so profoundly rever
cnce. have no doubt that your pc
ttion might be received, acted upo'
and YOU be admitted into to lodge
could I give assurance Of your refor
nation"
"But will reform"
"You hrv We rromised often-you have
performed never"
.But, uncle, 1 swear"
"Nay, do not swear IL You viii
break it if YOU do, and | would moi
have perjury on your soul.'
"Is this kind When wish Il
reform my course you thrust me from
you-keep me at an arms lengt
win not receive my promises
"God knows how much desire tt
believe your prostes,ations-how nue.
wish to confide in your pre- miscs
but cannot, aoiH not forget I
your conduct has been such as wonlt
disgrace the institution with whici
you would connect yourself ! can
not bot remember that in the iatur'
it may bo equally as bad, or worse.
"No, no, uncle not worse u
ut may be worst. That is the al
most unvarying consequences Of th,
conrse upon which you have entered.
"Trus, but you have my prom