The Richmond palladium., 1874-02-28
M. w. P. H.-(savagely)-Give me
n chav Of tArbacco.

AZ. W. \o9Vo60syI ONC A0
Candidate searching himself
thoroughly, but as there is no place
about him TO stick pocket, tries to
explain, but the most worshipful
pumpkin head interrupts him with:
Never mind my dear young friend
/ am we'll aware that in your present
condition you can no more furnish
your friends with the weed than Ad-
am could be comfortable in plug hat
and tight boots. It is merely to teach
you the great lesson of econOmy-do-
ing to others as you'd like to have
them do to you. You will now be
conducted to the most eminent squash
producer, who will teach you the
grand hailing sign of distress. The
sign, my worthy brother, will insure
you against many of the ills of the,
agriculturist-amongst others, against
drouths and being bit by the fierce
clouds of grasshoppers.
The candidate is now conducted to
the most eminent squash producer,
who thus says:
My worthy brother, I will now in
vest you with the order of the festive
ploughboy, which you have we'll won
by your heroic achievement while
harnessed-may you ever wear it with
pleasure aud profit to yourself, and
may it be means Of terror to your
enemies.
(M. e. 8. P. then proceeds to in
vest the candidate with the regalia of
the festive plonghboy, which consists
Of long tomato vine necklace. The
grand hailing sign of distress is made
by gently closing the left eye, laying
the right fore finger along side the
nose, and violently wagging the ears.
1t requires practice, but the advan-
tanges are intense. It also has an im-
portant signifcation, which you will
do we'll to heed. The closing Of the
eye signifies that in all our dealings
with mankind we are bound to have
an eye to business. Laying the finger
alongside the nose is emblematical of
wisdom, and place you at once among
the knowing ones. This is extreme
ly handy In prognosticating new
weather, and saves the wear and tear
Of almanacs. Wagging the ears sig-
nAAOc eUUA,sAsy v. PuAHVSCs oCN -
thought to be emblematical of child
hood happy hours. It is also sup
posed by some scholars to have ads
tinct reference to apple dumplings,
but this fact is somewhat obscure by
the dust of ages. In token that you
are one Of us, you will now be brand
ed. This ceremony is very impressive,
and consists of two brands. They
are applied while the iron is hot, and
consist of one letter of the alphabet
each. The first is large letter s, ON
which you will please sit while the
other letter is applied to the stomach.
ni6es scooped, and refers to railroad
monopolies. It is also supposed to
indicate the seat of learning spot
where the old-time teacher hunted for
brains with the ferule., The second
letter il G, and is applied, as said
before, to the stomach. It has a
double meaning. First, the applica-
ton is an agricultural one, 'corn-crih.'
and has reference to the stomach as
bon b whisky. But, bPofher, do not be
dilligent in finding home market for
your corn. The second application of
the letter G, my distracted infant, is
got hold of as follows: When one
granger desires to ascertain for sure
| If there is another of the order in the
room, he raises himself gently by the
slack Of his-of his unmentiouabies
scratches his off thigh his with
near hoof, and remarks in a voice of
thunder: Are there any grangers
about?' The answer is 'Jees wax.
The inquirer then says, let us see,
(letter CO. and the other party must
Immediately pull out his stomach and
disclose the brand.
These brands are applied in such q
manner that / am enabled to assure
you that they will wash.
l was here interrupted, Mr.. Editor
| by . volley fred into the window, evi.
IDENTIFY intended for me. Fortunately
l escaped with q scratch, and what il
OF more consequence, succeeded in
fetching off my precious manuscript
This is about all there is in tile cere
mony of any importance must leave
the country at once-armed men ar,
at my heels-they know that / an
writing to expose them. You ma,
hear from me again by mail, if
should deem it best to expose tn,
other degrees; until then, adieu.
From your sacred friend,
B. POLE.
| Notice-This ceremony of Initia
tion is used during the absence of lad.
members. Their initiatory ceremoie
are entirely different, being much sim
pli6ed, - they should be.
The brethren Of the Masonic orde
in Charlottesville have wisely decide,