The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1875-03-20
a Troy Ulfe.

James Maxon is duly initiated and valiant
knight of Pythias, says the Troy Times, resd
ing in Fourth street. The other night he left
home, telling Mrs. Maxon that he was going
to the lodge. About half past eight o'clock two
well dressed men rang the door bell, and when
Mrs. Maxon appeared they introduced them
selves as companion Knights of Pythias. They
said the lodge had just held an election, and
Mr.. Maxon had been unanimously called to the
chancellor's chair-the highest position in the
lodge. They had been duly appointed, in ac-
cordance with the custom which is peculiar to
this order, to inform her of the distinguished
homer that had been conferred on her husband
and to solicit her consent to his acceptance of
the office, another stipulation peculiar to the
knights of Pyhthias. Mr.. Maxon, they said,
according to their rules, would hold the office
for three years, and would receive an annual
salary of 81, ,162, this being the exact amount
according to the tribute levied on each knight
by the superior council. Mrs. Maxon was over.
joyed, thanked the courteous gentlemen-who
had meanwhile seated themselves in the par
lor-and gave her freest consent to the accept
ance of the high and lucrative office conferred
upon her worthy husband. The visitors rose
to leave, and, as they were about to withdraw
with all the thoughtful etiquette Of thorough
gentlemen, one of them suddenly remarked /:
Oh by the way, Mrs. Maxon, almost forgot
to give you this note. Mr.. MaXOn especially
impressed it upon me not to forget its delivery"
hurriedly written note was handed Mrs. NJ.
and, excusing herself, sheretired to the lighted
parlor and read:
DEAR WIFE, have been selected from
among three hundred and seventyfve MEM
bers of my lodge to act as chancellor, hatter-
ing office worth nearly 81 200 year. 1t is al
ways customary for the newly elected chancel-
lor to furnish refreshments for the knights. l
have only So with me. Please send me at least
$50, for | must do the thing up we'll. Send
hay han nd V h0rr0U n
neighbors. 1t will all come oack when get
my first months salary-SlOo.
Your loving husband, JAS. MAxoN.
Mrs. Maxon eyes opened. and she thought
moment. Then she TO a wardrobe
plunged her hand into the pocket of her black
silk dress, pulled out a pretty Russia leather
purse, and, from its snugly tucked up corner,
took bill. 1t looked nice and fresh, and had
in big figures upon it $500" Going to the
door she inquired OF the waiting gentlemen
"Will you take the oney to him? The fine
looking fellow who handed her the note, pro-
Tossing not to know what was in it, spoke up :
"Oh, certainly, certainly, I'll see that he gets
it safely. Glad to accommodate you madam" !"
Said Mrs. Maxon:
81 have only 500 bill, and James wants
but fifty, and besides that don't wish to send
the whole of it, Will you get it changed for
me, please?"
The two gentlemen consulted a moment and
then said, 'Oh, we have change" Straight
way they made up $50 gave it to Mrs. Nm
exchange for the bill, and, wishing her a very
good night, retired with all the elegant grace
and manliness characteristic or the noble Py-
THAN knights.
In about twenty minutes Mr.. Maxon came
home. "Why," said his wife, thought you
were entertaining your knightly associates. l
didn't expect you before midnight, considering
the amount Of money you wanted for your
feast"
"What do you mean % inquired Mr. Maxon.
~ don't understand you"
"Why, didn't you send me this p said Mrs.
NJ, as she handed him the note. "Right after
you left two very clever looking gentlemen
called and said you had been elected to some
high ofice-chancelor l think-and |, of
course
Maxon, who had glanced over the note and
discovered its com mplexion, calculated, "You
gave it to them? Why, it's diabolical swim
die. Did you give them any money? How
much?"
81 gave them one hundred dollar bill, and
they gave me fifty dollars in change. Here it
Mr.. Maxon in a despairing way took the
money and carelessly glanced it over at first,
then more eagerly, scanning each bill careful
ly. "Well, well,'' said he at last, "this is
double outrage. Why, all this money is coun-
terfeit excepting two five dollar notes But
Wbere IN tne name Oh common sense uIu you
ever get 500 bill? You didn't borrow that
of the neighbors, did your"
"No," said Mrs. Maxon. who appeared to her
husband to be strangely undisturbed, 81 took
that $lOO note you gave me about year ago.
Don't you remember? You told me to look out
and not spend it,
"Why, that's counterfeit" said the hus-
band. :.
"I knew it was. Did you suppose 1 didn't
see through their stupid game, Mr.. Maxon
Your wife isn't fool if she is a woman. Give
me them two good S. bills, if you please, just
want new bonnet.-Troy Times