The Republican journal., 1874-01-01


would she not now have given for aknowl-
edge of one mystic sign, by which to call
her husbands Masonic brothers to her
Sidco
Men We're passing rapidly up and down
ont ENJOYING the delicious GOODNESS Of The
evening. for the day had been sultry, but
among all the busy throng there was not
one whom she felt al liberty to accost
A gentleman was passing her leading 4
girl by the hand With a quick gesture
She arrested his step. She had observed
nothing peculiar in the strangers face !:
indeed She had not noticed it at all but q
Maltese cross was suspended from his
watch-guard, and the moment she dis
coved it. she had inyoluntarly lifted her
hand To prevent his passing her.
The stranger looked Mt her inquiringly
She pointed at the cross and said, That
sr, is why stopped YOU: will you excuse
me for addressing YOU. and please tell me
if you are a Mason p
n am" he replied
ooh. sin, my husband is a Mason, and
perhaps you would he kind 10 vonr
brothers. wife
"Wherc does Your husband live?"
In Boston. His name is &. W. Her.
bert he is OF the firm Herbert, jackson
4 Co., l. street | was on my way to
him from Wisconsin, but have been robbed
Of the means Of paying my fare. and the
conductor refused TO take me farther.
have applied TO the Rev Mr. Ripley, and
he turned me nsultingly from his door"
"Ihr old hypocrit, muttered the gen
tleman. Mrs. Herbert my house is but
one block distant, and ii is at your service
My wife will make You welcome and com
Portable. Willyonaccepto our hospitality ."
80. Sr, how gladly" And halt an hour
later Mrs Herbert was refreshing herself
at the Widespread table of Mr Henderson,
first officer Of Eureka Commandery No.
H.
When supper was over. Mr. Henderson
said to his wife, II have a few minutes
business down town; | will return m
mediatclN. Make Mrs. Herbert feel her
self at home
Western Union Telegraph Company, and
brother in Boston: els G.. w. Herbert
L street, a member Of our order, and
is his wife in the West Answer i'm
mcdiatelv."
When Mr. Henderson returned he found
his wife and Mrs. Herbert in an animated
conversation; and he was surprised TO
note the change in the strange ladv's ap-
pParance now that she felt herself among
friends Her face wore so genuine an ev-
preston Of sweetness and purity; her con-
versatlon was expressive of lofty scnti-
mentS. such real goodness Of heart. and
betrayed so highly cultivated mind that
Mr.. Henderson found himself regretting
that he had taken the precaution 10 send
a telegram to Boston in order 10 prove
the lruthfulness Of her statements.
Mrs Henderson seated herself at the
elegant piano, and after performing sey-
oral pieces invited Mrs. Herbert to play
also. She gracefully complied: and after
a low, sweet prelude, began TO sing;
"a -tranger | Wa hui they kindly received
Inc.
She sang the piece entirely through her
voice quivrring with emotion and when
she had finished IT, both Mr. and Mrs.
Henderson stood at her side, and the gen
tleman said:
Mr.. Iferh,1t, il i we who are blessed
in beng permitted To form the acqualnt-
ancc OF so entertaining Il conyerser and
musician. You are NOT stranger but
dear friend, a sister. my brothers. wife
You have a right in our home A Knight
lcmplal house IS ever open 10 the nntor-
tunate Bnt You must not leave the piano
Vel play another piece for MS. your own
iavorite.
Il do moi know fiat | have one
y our husbands then 9u"opsted Alr4
Henderson
Again MrS. ilerbrrt9 practiced fingers
5Nept the key, and then her clear rich
voice arose in the popular Masonic ode
Hail. Masonry divine.
A the last sweet echo died away, she
arose. saying, THAT is my hnsband's
taVOrite.
Mr Henderson was standing with his
arm around his witc's waist. Tears We're
in his eyes, and he drew her closer to him,
as he said, 20, Jennie, will you not learn
to play that piece for me?
But | never could make ii sound like
Mrs. Hcrbert's,'' she replied ''lor You
know | do not like Masonry
And why do you moi like it :" Mrs
Herbert yentllred to ask
,'Because it rises like Il mountain be-
tween me and my husband 1 am Jealous
Of Masonry" and the glance she cast upon
aim at her side told Mrs Herbert with
what depth OF love this true wife regarded
her husband, and she almost pardoncd her
for her dislike OF Masonry. upon the
ground She had mentioned But she felt
that Mrs Henderson was IN error, and she
said:
'Will You allow me totell yon why |
love Masonry?'
80, yes" replied Mrs, Henderson !
should be glad TO feel differently if could
and She drew q large armchair for Mrs |
Herbert. in front Of the pfa, upon which |
she and her husband seaed themselves.
Mrs Herbert began: My father was a
commission merchant in Boston, and in
consequence Of c;uses which | never fully |
understood-tor was very young at the |
tme-hc failed il business. Our beautiful |
home was taken from us, and father re
moved mother nd me to an humble, but
comfortable cottage in the suburbs, while
he procured employment as a clerk in Il
dry goods establihment.
He was dsheatened by his sudden and
heavy losses. twas seldom indeed, that
he wa heard 10 peak ohoorfully and hope
fully. His heall declined, and before we
had ever dreamd of the threatening dam
ger, he was cniirmed consumptive. But
he was Maso, and we We're not allowed
to feel that Instability for labor had de-
privcd lis of tb comforts Of home. Sup
plies of provisins, clothing and fuel came
regularly to or door. But one chill Sep
tember, we wre gathered around the bed
side TO take te last farcwell The friends
Of our prosprous days were not there
they left us,ith onr riches-but q circle
of true. man faces were there, and tears
were brushe aside which were the over
flow of symathiZing hearts. stood be-
side my grf-stricken mother who knelt
beside the ouch of death, her head bowed
helplessly lpon the emaciated hand upon
which shead ever depended for guidance
and proteion. My father kissed me ten
DERBY. antturnino TO his Masonic brothers
said:
81 canut leave my dear ones to your
care and know | can trust you. | feel
that my Dor Alice will not long survive
my loss, nd then this poor little one will