The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1877-02-15

lASAN1, MA0QN w
i've of such lofty soi3siisSts, such
real goodness Of hlttts. and betrayed
so highly culti94cd Il mind, t1tat
Mr. Henderson "a md himself regret
ting that he had taken the preeau-
tion tQsend a teft ram to, BostonHin
torder 10 prove che truthfulness OF
her Statements, Mrs Henderson
Seated herself at the elegant piano,
/ and after perfoH1ing. several pieces
tinyited Mrs. Harbert to play also.-v
fShe gracefully complied, and after a
low, sweet preludes began to sing
"a stranger sasY cut theg kindly received
: She .1gthe pieeaentifdy thrq gh,
het5goite quiyerittg with emotions
lMrsanisglrs. Henderson stood ~ her
side, andsthe gentleman SAID
/ eMrs. Herbert, it is sRefho are
blessed in being permitted TO. form
the acquaintance .sosentcltaipin
a eonversef and mnsiciNn, foa are
not a stlangsr, but 4 aeefirie19 ,a
istoi, - : n liEls y -. :
right in our home. A Knight Tenn
plar's house is ever open to the un-
fortunate. But you must not leave
the piano yet; play another piece
for us, your favorite."
~ do not know that-l have ono"
"Your husbands then," suggested
Mrs, Henderson.
Again Mrs. Herberps practiced
fingers swept the keys, and then her
clear, rich voice arose on the popular
Masonic ode:-
"Hail, Masonry divine"
AS the last sweet echo died away,
she arose, saying. "That is my hus-
bands fayorite.".
Mr.. Henderson was standing with
his arm around his wife's waist.-
Tears were in his eyes. and he drew
closer to her, as he said, 30, Jennie,
will you not learn to play that piece
for me?'
"But I could never make it sound
like Mrs. Herbert" she replied, "for
you know do not like Masonry"
"And why do you not like it?'
Mrs. Herbert ventured to ask
Because it rises like q mountain
between me and my husband; | am
jealous of Masonry" And the glance
she cast upon him at her side told
Mrs. Herbert with what depth of
love this true wife regarded her hus-
band, and she almost pardoncd her
for her dislike of Masonry, upon the
ground sht had mentioned. But she
felt that Mrs, Henderson was in error,
and she said:
"Will You allow me to tell you why
| love Masonry
80, yes" replied Mrs. Henderson.
~ should be glad to feel differently
if could;" and she drew large arm
chair for Mrs. Herbert in front of
the sofa, upon which she and her
husband seated themselves.
|. Mrs. Herbert hAs-.-.tt il.@s,. l,..'.
VAS gronTnnssfoh merchant in BOs.
ton, and in consequence of causes
which | never fully understood-for
! was very Young at the time-he
failed in business. Our beautiful
home was taken from us, and father
removed mother and me to humble
but comfortable cottage in the su-
berbs, while he procured employ
ment as clerk in a dry goods estab-
lishmcnt.
He was dishcartcucd by his sud
den and heavy losses. 1t was seldom,
indeed, that he was heard to speak
cheerfullyand hopefully. His health
declined, and, before we had ever
dreamed Of the threatening danger,
he was a confirmed consumptive.-
But he was Mason, and VIC were
not allowed to feel that his inability
for labor had deprived US of the COM
forts of our home. Supplies of pro-
visions, clothing and fuel came reg
ularly to our door. But one chill
evening in September, We were gath
cred around the bedside to take our
last farewell. The friends of our
prosperous days were not therc--thcy
left US with our riches-but circle
of true manly faces were there, and
tears were brushed aside which were
the overflow of sympathizing hearts.
/ stood beside my gricf.strickcn
mother who knelt beside the couch
of death, her head bowed helplesSly
upon the emaciatcd hand upon which
she had depended for guidance and
protection. AGy father kissed me
tcnderly, and, turning to his Masonic
brothers, said:
81 can but leave my dear ones in
your care, and l know that l can
trust you. feel that my poor Alice
will not long survive my loss, and
thus this little one will be a helpless
I A., a-,.,g .nn ,r -,