Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-03-02

aatter myself l understand some
thing about secret societies. I've had
a passion for that sort, Of thing ever
since was old enough to tell lies. ]
have secuted around pretty extensively
among the different organizations I've
been an Orangeman and Fenian, and
Good Templar, and a Counterfeiter,
and also a son of Malta. I have be-
longed to the Sons of Temperance, and
the Odd Fellows, and Young Mems
Christian Associat' IN, and the Band OF
Hope, and band Of robbers I've
been into everything, and I thought |
knew everything almost, but | didn't.
Three months ago I became infatuated
with Masonry, and since | joined that
organization I've discovered that there
are several things connected Herewith
that outsiders don't know just pretty
good deal about. Now, Mr.. Editor, l
propose making these secrets public,
not out Of compassion for my fellow
men, who may be tending towards Ma
sonry, and act as warning and so on,
because I haven't got a spark Of human
kindness in my breast, and would rath-
er see every mothers son put to the
torture than not, but because I have a
spite against the fellow who initiated
me, who made the irons too hot, and
the coat too frisky, and treated me with
roaghness, generally, that the occa-
sion did not variant.
Before Illuminating my narrative, l
will state, for the benefit of those who
don't know, that Masonryis is about six
hundred thousand years old. 1t was
old when the fraternity got into trou-
bic at the tower of Babel, and it was
old when Adam first put on his apron
as Grand Master of Eden Lodge. AS a
more convincing truth Of its antiquity,
1 would just mention that party of
miners the other day, in one of their
excavations, came upon the potrifed
remains of a Masonic Lodge, with the
members in their places and all com
plete; and eminent geologists who have
examined the fossils are of the opinion
that these bodies have been imbedded
in the rock for more than fifteen thou
sand years.
On the evening I was to be initiated
I made my will and took most affect
ing leave of my family. Thus prepar-
ed, startled for the lodge, accompanied
by Bro. John Smith, S. r. S. P. T., who
was to see me through. We had no
difficulty getting past the first entrance
but when we knocked at the second, a
fat little fellow looked out through a
round hole in the door, and put this
startling interrogatory to Brother Smith
Observation-Disclosures ? to which
Brother Smith replied cheerfully: Nix
my-dolly-whack-doo. The little fellow
thensaid Flodzestcompbritidy
and my conductor giving a satisfactory
answer, we were permitted to enter
Before l had time to look around me {
long-legged fellow knocked me ovel
with club; he then stood me on my
feet, and another marauder made rush
at me and brought me down again. AT
ter Illad undergone this exhilarating ex-
ercise forabout five minutes, they stretch
ed lne out on q bench and examined
ray teeth, pinched my muscles, ant
stuck pins into me all over, and shovel
cayenne pepper up my nose, and pourec
moulten lead in my trousers pockets
and pulled hairs out Of the back OF my
neck with red hot pincers, with view
suppose, to make lie feel Gnembar
rassed and at home.
j. * j: Il