Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-10-02
Aumurnns 9epartmeut.
ADVANTAGES OF BEING A FREEMAsON.

A London letter contains the following
amusing story:
Speaking of railways, there has been most
humorous incident on one of our east country
lines. In village nearly five miles from a
station-which in England signifies spot
very much out of the world indeed-resided
certain yeoman whom some of his convivial
friends desired to become Freemason. Be-
ing sensible though simple man, he had long
declined these overtures, upon the ground
that it would do him no good. His wife was
fond of secrets, he allowed: let them admit
her into their confidence if they would but
for his own part, he cared nothing for such
rubbish. He accepted, however, an invita-
ton from Masonic friend, who asked him to
come down to Norwich, where lodge was to
be held and Especially dinner given by the
brotherhood. They arrived at the station
some time before their train was due, and
while walking up and down the platform his
companion, who had taken an opportunity to
interview the station-master, renewed his So
licitations.
You talk of its being no good to become
one of u.s. said he. why, to begin with, if
you were Freemason you would not have to
pay for going to Norwich
How so? inquired the rustic.
well, Freemasons never do pay for their
railway tickets. They only have to make the
sign, and then they pass in free
Il don't believe it, said the farmer stoutly.
In the eastern counties fiat contradiction is
thought nothing off,
Nay, but it is so indeed. If you will give
me your honor never to make use of it again,
unless you join US, will teach you the sign
to-day, and you shall have an immediate proof
of the truth of my statement
what! do you mean to say
Yes, do; but the train is already due.
Will you promise never to mention what
am about to disclose to you flor else am a
dead man, and also that you will not take
advantage of it save on this occasion only :?
Very good. Now come into the Office, and
rub your hand slowly down your face three
times-thus-as you will see me do; then ask
for your ticket.
There were good many people about the
pigeonhole through which the tickets were
being given out, and the two friends took
their places in the queue.
The Freemason placed himself before his
friend, and when his turn came offered no
money, but saying 'Firstclass, Norwich,
gravely stroked his face three times, whereup-
on the station-master looked at him signiG-
cantly, and gave him his ticket. The rustic
did the like, and similarly received his pass
why, this is most extraordinary, whisper
ed he; it will save me twenty pounds year
in going to market
OF course it will but remember your pro-
mise: you must not take advantage of the
privilege unless you become one of u.s.
I'll do that as soon as you like, begad ! was
the enthusiastic reply.
At Norwich, this sanguine Individual was
accordingly admitted to be member Of the
mysterious order. Whatever personal incon-
veniences the ceremony may have cost him,
he forgot them when on his return journey he
that there was nothing to pay for his trans
longer with him, but so simple sign as the
stroking of the face three times was not one
about which any mistake could be made. Ac-
cordingly he approached the pigeon-hole with
confidence, said, 'First.class, Wisbeach,' and
performed the mystic ceremony. The station
master looked at him very hard, and remark.
ed, Seven.and-six-pence.'
He couldn't have seen me do it, was the
farmers reflection, and he therefore made the
mysterious sign again, with greater delibera-
ton and gravity than before.
4 don't know why you are making those
faces observed the station.master; thinking he
was out of his mind, and ought to be locked up.
The poor farmer was indeed very nearly
mad with rage and chagrin at having been so
shamefuly taken in, and when he next met
the friend who had so deceived him, he ad-
dressed him by no means in conciliatory
manner. The hour was late and the lane was
lonely the rustic was powerful, and he had
an oaken cudgel in his hand. 4 have got a
little account to settle with you, my friend.
ticket. You told me that I could always get
one free by stroking my face three times, if |
became Freemason.'
SO you can, my dear SIR said his compan-
ion, eyeing the cudgel with great intelligence !;
4 proved it to you at Wisbeach station. Don't
you remember?
Yes, but you said it was good for all sta
tions, and it don't do for Norwich. I stood
like an idiot for ten minutes stroking my
face-lke this-before the ticketoffce, and
very nearly got putin the lookup for my pains.
Did you stroke your face like that? re-
turned the other. Then, indeed, it is no
wonder you were not attended to. | have no
doubt the station-master thought you were an
impostor.'
But that was the way you taught me, con-
found you?
Yes, for the down line But since you we're
travelling the other way, my dear sir, you
should have stroked your face, upward, of
course, like this
by Jove' cried the farmer, slapping his
own leg with his stick. L never thought Of
that What precious fool I've been'
'.Just 3d. returned his friend, who took care
to leave that part of the country before next
market-day. It would have been too expen-
sive to have made private arrangement with
the station-master every time that his rural ac-
quaintance took the train.
ScnEERER's LITTLE JoKE.-There is an
anecdote of Gotlieb Scheerer, who, twelve
years ago, was an active Philadelphia politi-
clan, and Vice-President Dallas, which is
here first given in print. Some thirty years
ago Mr.. Dallas was counsel in case in Phil
adel phia and Mr.. Scheerer was called in as a
witness The following questions were put
by Mr. Dallas:
"Mr. Scheerer, were you in Harrisburg last
,June?'
"Last June, did you say, Mr.. Dallas?"
eyes, last June; don't you repeat my ques-
ton, but answer it,"
After some moments of study the answer