The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-05-10
" Who meet upon the level,
And part upon the square,
And raise the very ID
Whilst coprrapota1 thorn >,

which was as follows: "That having en-
tertained a good sort of opinion who could
do otherwise when he saw his chum asked
to drink SO often?) Of their noble body
would like to join them if they would per
nit me, and that would spend my money,
Cor any PERSONS money that | could get,
freely, to treat the members to champagne
and lobster salad whenever called upon fol
that purpose. That being 81 years of age,
was my own boss and could do as darn.
ed pleased, but forgot to add, provided, it
pleased you, my dear, and signed my name
to the above, which, with my money gave
to my chum, Sam, who took them to the
Lodge and l was permitted to 60 into the
ante-room. Here | found bottle and a
goblet, but was doomed TO meet with a
sad disappointment for the bottle was
empty, and the goblet cracked. This was
to teach me a lesson, which was explained
by murderous-looking individual with a
large dirk in his hand. who informed me
that the bottle and tumble we're symbol
cal of one of the cardinal virtues of man,
especially a Free-Mason, namely: Energy
and Promptness; and explained it by say
ing that had | shown more energy and
been more prompt in coming to the Lodge
earlier the bottle would have been full and
the goblet not broken. 1t is useless for me
to mention that was deeply impressed by
this lesson, and fully made up my mind to
profit by it.
l next tried to get into tie big room. but
found the door locked. The cadaverous
individual with his big dirk asked what |
wanted, and lold i'm
81 wanted to be a Mason
And with the Masons stand,
An apron on my body,
And a staff within my hand''
So he told me "to be-" accordingly he
opened the door and l walked in. Immedi-
ately all the men stood in row and bowling
low said:
owe suppose" (and bowling still lower,
said
That you suppose
That your nose
Is higher than your toes
l replied: "I guess So Upon this
answer I was seized, my hands and feet
bound, and gag put in my mouth.
The boss mason asked the recorder how
many black balls were entered against that
poor, miserable, forlOrn candidate, when he
applied for membership?
The recorder replied, "nine." Then
said the boss, t" let justice be DONE though
the heavens fall.''
The members laid me across couple of
chairs face downward, living sacrifice to
Masonry, and the First Assistant proceed
cd to give me nine distinct cuts with raw
hide on my defenseless body, and told me
that was to teach me Il lesson, and that it
should ever remind me never to water nv
whisky, as that was always done by others
before it came into my possession. | was
also deeply impressed by this lesson, and
determined to profit by it. l was now
marched up and down the room seventeen
times with white lilly in one hand, and a
peculiar stick called the royal staff in the
other. The boss told me that the lilly was
like myself, an emblem of purity, and the
royal staff would not only prove source
OF comfort and qualification to me. but
would be of considerable aid whilst travel
ing down the vale of time.
l was now released from my bonds and
gag, and had all apron placed upon me
which rs an apprentice | was to wear,
hanging from my waist on my back. This
apron had in the centre a pair of COM
passes, square and the letter G, which
last was informed stood for gimlet, signi-
flying "bore.'
The boss now told me could 60 into any
Louse III Inc word by giving the pass
word, which is Farthing- gale" and l
would recognize Free Mason by his. ask
ing me chow much are you worth -
Answer. ga Farthing"
g What is the most sublime object?"
Answer. A gale, usually pronounced
a gall.
This ended my first degree in masonry,
and perhaps you may remember, my dear
Polly, upon my return home that night,
how you tried to ascertain where | was
branded, but that happened in the follow
ing degrees, and will relate all that hap
pened, if You will forgive me for keeping
this secret from you for so long time
But you must never breathe word of the
above, or you will be widow before the
rising of another sun. So my dear be
careful. Your loving. H. p