The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-03-15


like Mrs. Herbert" she replied. for
you know do not like Masonry"
And why do You not like it?" Mrs.
Herbert ventured to ask.
"Becau$e it rises like a mountain be-
tween me and my husband ; | am jeal-
ous Of Masonryw And the glance she
cast upon him at her side. told Mrs.
Herbert with what depth Of love this
true wife regarded her husband, and
she almost parloned her for hcrdislike
Of Masonry on the ground she had
mentioned. But she felt that Mrs.
Henderson was in error and she said
"Wiil you allow Inc 10 tell you why
| love Masonry"
20, yes" replied Mrs. Henderson, |
should like to feel differently if /
could" and she drew a large arm
chair for Mrs. Herbert In front Of the
sof. upon which she and her husband
lad seated themselves.
Mrs. Herbert began: my flther
was a commission merchant in Boston,
aud in consequence of clu-es which
never fully ulderstood-for / was very
young at the time--he failed in bust
ness. Our beautiful home was taken
from Us. and father removed mother
and me to an humble but comfortable
cottage in the suburbs, while he pro-
cured employment as a clerk in a dry
goods establishment.
lie was disheartened by his sudden
and heavy losses. 1t was seldom that
lie was heard to speak clleerfully. Ills
health declined, aud beforu he had ever
dreamed of the threatening danger, he
was confirmed c0nsumptive. Hut
lie was a Mason. and we were not al
lowed to feel that his inability for labor
had deprived us of the comforts OF
home. Supplies of provisions, cloth
ing, came to our door. But one chilly
evening in September, We We're gath
cred around the bedside to take the
last farewell. The friends of our pros
porous days were not there-tlley had
left us with our riches-but circle of
true, manly faces was there, and tears
We're brushed aside which were the
overflow Of sympathiziug hearts. |
stood beside my grief-stricken mother,
who knelt beside the couch of death,
her head bowed hopeleSsly upon the
emaciated hand upon which she had
ever depended for guidance and pro-
lection. My father kissed me tenderly,
and turning to his Masonic brethren
said:
Il can but leave my dear ones to
your care, and know THAT can trust
you. | feel that my poor Alice will not
long survive my loss, and then this lit
tie one will be helpless waif Oh the
great sea of humanity. lgive her to
you, not as the child Of one, but of all
the Lodge"
A few moments more and | was
fatherlesa. One Of those strong, noble
men lifted me in his arms and bore me
from the room. Ihad heard what my
father said, and although a child fbut
seven years, eomprehended it all. !
threw my arms around the good mans
neck, who held ME so tenderly, and
sobbed: "Oh, sir, will you be my
father!"
"Yes, my dear little girl" he said,
in broken voice, ''yon shall never
want"
My mother was fiail, delicate crea-
tme, and her constant watching at my
fathers bedside, co!nbined with the
last terrible slocl;, threw her into ic-
Yer, from which she never recovered.
We remained in the sweet little cottage
until my sweet mothers death, and
my fathers Masonic brothers antelope
ted our every want. And when was
at last all orphan. my new protectors
took me away. All felt that was a
sacred charge.
was placed under the care of the
most reliable instructors, andmy health
was carefully guarded. lived in the
hon,c of the o. .e asked t. lie my fltl-
er. anil believed he loved me as a child.
When | arrived at the age of twenty |
was, with the full appreciation of my
guardians, married to Mr.. Herbert,
confidential clerk ina dry goods house.
The young man was Mason; he was
honest and attentive to business. This
was not quite ten years ago. He isnow
a partner in the same house. We have
an elegant home, and once every
year our parlors are open to receive
with their families the few who remain
of those who, at the time of my faith
er's death, were meml er> o the ! ,dge
to which my father belonged. You
now, my friends, why l
owe Masonry
Mrs. Henderson lifed her eyes to
hose of her husband. He was looking
% wistfully, so pleadingly.
"My dear WIFE," he said, Mrs.
Ierbert's story is but one of thousands.
t is the aim of Masonry to relieve the
IiStreSsed everywhere, aud to ele-
ate and ennoble ourselves. Our labors
ftcn take Us from the home circle, but
would not be manly In us TO spread :
knowledge of the good We do. 10
lany of the recipients of 0tr charity
would be bitter relief, if trumpeted |
nth to the world
Mrs. Henderson placed both her /
ands in those of her husbands, and
lid, as her eyes filed with tears: IL =
iii learn to play that piece for you,
Id | think | can give it some of Mrs.
erbert's expression, for | think diff. 4
rently Of Masonry than have ever a
me before" Il
The next morning, when breakfast r
as over, Mrs. Herbert said: Now, II
+. Henderson, | must send an imme-
ate telegram to my husband. for h
anxious to meet him, and shall not fl
espass upon your genuine hospitality 9
niger tlan Is necessary" a
"Will you entr,lst me with the mes il
ge?" I
Yes sir" and it was soon ready. a
"Ah was about to sciid you the
lswer to your telegram to boston," b
i'd the operator to Mr.. Henderson, as