The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-12-19
a Woman that Could be De-
handed On


have their lodge room done up clean
and nice. 1t was resolved unanimous
ly that Mrs. K, should be employed to
do the job. after the meeting adjourn
ed, the Guardian, who knew the in
quisitive character of Mrs. X, procur-
ed a billy goat and placed him in clos
ct that was kept as reservoir for the
secret things. lie then informed the
woman of the wishes of the lodge, and
requested her to come early the next
morning, and 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, pals, &C.,
and found the Guardian waiting for her.
"Now, madam he said, 81 will tell
what we want done, and how we want
to employ you. The brothers said it
was difficult to get anybody to do the
job and not be meddling with the Sc
crets in the closet; we have lost the key,
and cannot find it to lock the door. l
assured them that you can be depended
on"
Depended on! I guess can. My
poor dead and gone husband he belong
ed to the Free Mason or anti Masons, l
don't know which. He used to tell me
all the secrets of the concern, and when
he showed me aH the marks of the grid
iron, made when he was initiated, and
told me how they fixed poor Morgan, 1
never told 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"
81 thought so," said the Guardian,
"and want you to commence in that
corner, and give the whole room de-
cent cleaning; now don't 60 into that
closet" and then left the woman to
herself.
No sooner had she heard the sound
of his feet on the last step of the stairs
then she exclaimed:
"Don't go into that closet! I'll war
rant there's gridiron, or some nom
sense, just like the anti Masons, for all
the world, I'll be bound. l will take
one peep, and no one will be the wiser,
as I can keep it to myself"
Suiting the action to the work, she
stepped lightly to the forbidden closet,
and turned the button, which was no
sooner done than "Bahl" went the billy
goat, with spring to regain his liberty,
which came near upsettlng her lady
ship. Both started for the door, but
it was filled with implements for house
cleaning, and all were swept clear from
their position down to the bottom of the
stairs.
The noise and confusion occasioned
by such hunceremOnious coming down the
stairs, drew half the town to witness
Mrs. X S effort to get from under the
pile of pals, tubs, brOom5 and brushes
In the street.
Who should be the first at the spot
but the rascally door-keeperl After re-
leasing the goat, which was cripple
for life, and uplifting the rubbish that
bound the good woman to the earth, he
anxiously inquired if she had been TAX
ing the degrees.
"Taking the degreesl If you call
tumbling from top to the bottom of the
stairs with the devil after yol taking
things by degrees, have them, and if
ye frighten folks as ye have frightened
Inc, and hurt to boot, I'll warrant they
will make as much noise as did,"
II hope you didn't open the closet,
madam" said the door.keeper.
"Open the closet? Eve ate the apple
she was forbidden. If you want wo-
man to do anything, tell her not to dc
it and she'll do it certain. could moi
stand the temptation. The secret was
there. wanted so know it,. l opened
the door, out popped that tarnal crittel
right into my face. thought the OLE
boy had me, and broke for the stair!
with the critter bunting me at ever!
jump. fell over the tub, and got dowl
stairs, as you found us, all in heap.
"But, madam" said the door keeper
"you are in possession of the great secre
OF our order, and must go up obe init
ated and sworn, and then go in the re
gular way"
Irregular way" exclaimed the lady
''and do you suppose am going nea
the tarnal place, and ride that ar tarni
crtter without bride or lady's saddle
No, neverl don't want nothing to d
with the man that rides it. I'd loo
nice perched upon billy goat, wouldn
j? No, neverl will never go nigh