The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-01

Fluttering over the ground,
Hang out your flags, birch and willow!
Shake out your red tassels, larch!
| Grass birds, up from your earth-pill0W!
Hear who ls calling you-March!
Mr.. Maxon Gets Elected-How His Wife Found
II Out.
James Maxon is q duly initiated and
valiant Knight of Pythias, residing on
Fourth street. The other night he left
home, telling Mrs. Maxon that he was
going TO the lodge. About halt-past
eight o'clock two well-dressed men rang
the door-bell, and when Mrs. MaXon ap-
peared they introduced themselves as
companion Knights of Pythlas. They
| said the lodge had just held an election,
and that Mr.. MaXon had been unani-
mously called to the Chancellor's chair
the highest position in the lodge. They
had been duly appointed, in accordance
with the custom which is peculiar to the
Order, to inform her of the distinguished
honor that had been conferred on her
husband, and to solicit her consent to
his acceptance OF the office, another stip-
ulation peculiar only to the Knights OF
Pythias. MIR. MaXon, they said, ac-
cording to their rules, would hold the
office for three years, and would receive
an annual salary of 81, lG2, this being the
exact amount according to the tribute
levied on each Knight by the superior
council Mrs. MaXon was overjoyed,
and thanked the courteous gentlemen
who had meanW lille seated themselves
in the parlor-and gave her lreest con-
sent to the acceptance OF the nigh and
lucrative Office conferred upon her wor-
thy husband. The visitors rose to leave,
and, as they were about to withdraw
with all the thoughtful etiquette of thor
ough gentlemen, one of them suddenly
remarked: "Oh! by the way, Mrs. MaXon,
l almost forgot TO give you this note.
Mr.. MaXon especially impressed upon
me not to forget its delivery" A hur-
riedly written note was handed Mrs. NJ,
and eXcusing herself, she retired to the
lighter parlOr and read:
Dear WiIe-l have been selected from
among the $40 members OF my lodge to
act as Chancellor, tlattering office
worth yearly $1,000 a year. 1t is always
customary lor the newly elected Cham
celIor to furnish refreshments for the
knights. l nave only So with me. Please
send me at least $50, for | must do the
thing up well. send 800 il you have it
handy, or borrow it OF the neighbors. 1t
will all come back Nhen l get my first
mouths sa!ary-fl00.
Your loving husband,
JAMES MAXoN.
Mrs. MaXon's eyes opened and she
thought a moment. Then she went to,a
wardrobe, plunged her nand into the
pocket of her silk dress, pulled out a
pretty Russian leather purse, and from
its snugly tucked up corner took bill.
1t looked nice and fresh and had in big
figures upon it, '$1O0." Going to the door
she inquired of the waiting gentlemen,
! "Will you take the money to him?" The
| kind looking fellow who handed her the
note protesting not to know what was in
| it, spoke up, "Oh, certainly, certainly,
I'll see that he gels it safely. Glad to
accommodate you, madame"
Said Mrs. MaXon, 81 have only 500
BILL. and james ants but fifty, and be-
sides that don't want to send the whole
of it. VIII you get it changed for me,
| please"
The two gentlemen consulted mo-
ment and then said, "Oh, we have
change;" and straightway made up fifty
dollars and gave it TO Mrs. NJ. in eX.
change for the bill, and wishing her q
very goou night retired with all the ele-
CANT grace and manliness characteristic
of the noble Pythian knights.
| In about twenty minutes Mr.. MaXon
came home. "Why," said his wife, 81
thought you were entertaining your
Knightly associates. didn't expect you
before midnight, considering the amount
Of money you wanted for your feast"
"What do you meant" inquired Mr..
| MaXon. 81 don't understand ou."
"Why didn't you send me this?" 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 Office
Chancellor, l think-and l, of courSe-''
| MuXon, who had glanced over the note
and, discovered its compleXion, ejaGu-
lated. "You gave it to them? Why it's
diabolical swindle. Did you give them
any money? How much?"
s'Why l gave them hundred dollar
bill and they gave me tfty dollars in
change. Here IL is"
Mr.. Maxon in a despairing way took
the money and carelessly glanced it over
at first, then more eagerly scanning each
bill carefully. "Well, WE'LL" said he al
last, this is double outrage. Why, all
this money is counterfeit except two five
dollar noles! But where in the name OF
common sense did you everget 500 bill
| You didn't borrow that of the naighbors,
did you"
mop said Mrs. Maxon, who appeared
to her hus band to be strangely undis
turbed, IL took that 500 note YOU gave
me about a year ago. DON'T you remem
ber? You told me to look out ant
not spend it,"
"Why, THAT'S counterfeit" said the
husband.
81 knew it was. Did you suppose
didn't see through their stupid game
Mr.. Maxon? Your wife isn't "a fool if sh'
is woman. Give me those Two good 5;
bills, if you please, I.just want new
bonnet"