New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-17
A WOman,s Curiosity.

A certain lodge of the Independent: Order
| of Odd Fellows determined to have thei.
| lodge room done up clean and nice. 1t was
| resolved unanimously that Mrs. X. should
| be employed to do the job After the
| meeting adjourned, the guardian who knew
| the inquisitive character of Mrs. X. pro
| cured billygeat and placed him in the
| closet that was kept as reservoir for the
secret things. He then informed the lady
| of the wishes of the lodge, and requested
| her to come early next morning, as he
would then show her what was and what
was not to be done. Morning came, and
with it Madam X. with her broom, brushes
es, pals. etc. and found the guardian wait.
ing for her.
Now. madam" said he IL tell YOU what
we want done. and how We came to employ
you. The brothers said it was difficult to
get anybody to do the JOB, and not be med
ding with the secret in the closet; We have
lost the key, and can not find it to lock the
door. l assured them that you can be de-
pended on"
Depended on: guess can. NY poor
and dead and gone husband, he belonged
to the Free Masons or anti-MasOns. l don {
which. He used to tell me all the secrets
of the concern, and when he showed me all
marks OF the gridirOn made when he was
initiated, and told me how they fixed poor
Morgan, never told a living soul to this
day: if nobody troubles your closet to find
out your secrets till do. they will lie there
till they rot, they will
IL thought So said the guardian. land
now l want you 10 commence in that cor
ner. and give the whole room q decent
cleaning. and pledge my word and honor
for the tidility to your promise, now, don't
go into that closet" and then lett the lady
70 herself.
No sooner had she heard the sound Of his
feet on the last step OF the steps than she
exclaimed. Don. get into that closet -
"IIl warrant there's a gridiror. or some
nonsense, just like the anti-Masons for all
the world. I'll be bound. l viii take one
peep, and nobody will be any the wiser as
can keep it to myself" Suiting the action
TO the word she stepped lightly to the for
hidden closet, turned the button. which was
no sooner done than ''bah! ~ went the billy.
goat. with spring to regain his liberty
which came near upsetting her iaiyship.
Both started Tor the door, but il was filed
with implements for house cleaning. and
ali were swept clear from their position
down to the bottom o: the stairs.
The noise and confusion CccasioneG by
such EnceTemonlou5 coming down the
stairs drew half the town to witness Mrs
k Efforts To get from under the pile of
pals, tubs, brOomS and brushes i. the
street.
VIII" should be frs: to the spot Blu: the
raseally doorkeeper. After releasing the
goat, which was cripple for life. and up
lifting the rubbish tina: bound the good
woman to the earth. anxiOusly inquired If
she had been taking the degrees.
Taking the degree :" exclaimed the lady.
''it you cal! tumblins from the top
to the bottom OF the stairs with the
devil after We taking things by degrees |
have them, and if We frightened folks as We
frightened me, and hurt to boot, I'll war
rant they Will make as much noise as did"
Il hope you did not open tn. closet.
madam said the dOorkeeper.
''Open the closet. Eve eat the apple she
was forbidden. If you want woman to
do anything, tell her not TO do it, and she'll
do it certain. l could not stand the temp
tatior. The secret was there. wanted to
know it. lcpened the door. and out popped
the tarnal critter right into my face. |
thought the old boy had me. and broke
for the stairs with the critter butting ,ue at
every jump. l fell over the tub, and got
down stairs as you found Us. all in a heap"
But madam" said the doorkeeper. - on
are IN possession o; the great secret of our
order, and you mus: go up to be initiated
and sworn, and then go II tho regular
way"
Regular way" exclaimed the lad :. land
do you suppose am going near the tarnel
place. and ride that az tarne! critic, with
out bride or lady's saddle, No. never.
don't want nothing to do with the man
that rides il. I'd look nice perched upon
billy goat. wouldn't l. No, nevel: Ill
never GO nigh it again. nor you shall nuch-
eff l can prevent it. no lady shall ever
join the Odd Fellows. Why, I'd sooner be
a Free Mason, and be broiled on gridiron
as long as the fire could be kept under il.
and pulled from garnet to cellar with
halter, in pair OF old breeches and Slip
pers, just as my poor dead husband. And
he lived over it. but never could live over
such another ride as l took today