Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-04-28
ceased shaking hands, the missing gentleman
entered the room followed by servant bear
ing upon tray thi5ty four glasses, seventeen
of which contained water.
THE CANDIDATE srR1ppFD.

The first floor of the city hall, or the en-
gine house, had been set apart as prepare
ton room. and to it the candidate was con-
Quoted, and was there introduced to DR.. Hol-
lenbaek, philomath to the order, who re-
quested Jones to doff his garments. He
meekly acquiesced, and the CLASSY tile and
knotty cane were laid upon nail key; the
perfectly cut diagonal suit was carefully de-
posted in corner, and the high polished
boots arranged by its side. II am ready,
sir,'' said the candidate. D
Doctor-Oh, no, no, no, strip-all off, all
off.
Jones-Yes, but doctor, you see I've been
in the Hills and on the road quite while,
and am not in just the condition.
Doctor-Nonsense; off; all off, or nothing.
The candidate stripped and stood as nude
as nature-and the temperature down to 35
degrees. The doctor began his examination
feeling the pulse, examining the teeth,
listening to the hearts pulsation, pounding
the shivering candidate upon the breast,
back and chest; pinching, slapping,
pulling and gazing the while
with the wisdom of the greatest sapant. This
done, consultation of the committee was
held, at the termination of which the doctor
picked up a cup containing a mixture of
iodine, and, advancing, said: ''Mr. Jones,
your examination has been thorough and
satisfactory, but needs to be attested by nv
brand as philomath. According to the rules
of this society, and my oath, now affix said
brand" and with a camel's hair brush he
painted cross upon the candidate, that ex-
tended the whole length and breadth of his
body, and added, ''Sir, no power or agency,
human or satanic; can e'r remove that mark,
which is more ancient than that of Muir
phyism and more honorable than
wounds received in an unrighteous cause.
You may use the scalpel, if you will, yet the
deeper you cut the more prominent will the
brand appear. Brother Marshall, to your
hands as chairman of the committee, re-
turn the postulant."
IN THE LODGE ROOM.
Brother Marshall thereupon stepped for
ward, and with dexterity worthy the noble
cause, placed hoodwink over the eyes of the
candidate, who was thereupon qrasped by
either arm by brethren, guided into the
street and up an outside stairway to the
lodge room. AS the strange procession en-
tered the Great Incahone arose and
with his truncheon delivered three
delicate raps that fairly shook the
building, and brought every mothers son to
their feet, when, silence restored, the Great
Incahone said: 'Leatherdy, Leatherdy,
Leatherdy. Behold the son of darkness who
seeks the light of our ancient order. By the
visible mark of our noble philomath we know
that the candidate is physically worthy. Sa-
lutte him." Then broke forth fanfare the
like of which no man can conceive. Shouts
whistling, pounding, screaming and demoni-
acal noises of every description pierced the
ear and caused the poor candidate to tremble
with abject terror. Three more raps in the
north ended the salute, when the brethren
resumed their seats, leaving the subject be-
tween two of the order standing in the
centre of the room.
SISTER MARGOOD.
The outer door opened, and as it closed
with slam, deep, hoarse voice announced
''Sister Margood." "Admit Sister Margood,"
was the response from the north, which
caused the candidate to squirm and crouch to
the floor. Three tremendous raps were de-
livered by the great Incahone. and were
followed by a command to the candidate to
stand erect. With fear and trembling the
latter complied as the door again opened
and a person entered, advanced to the centre
of the room, saluted the north, and then,
while proceeding to a seat, inadvertently III
brushed against the candidate, with mass
of drapery which he held in his hand. It
was a solemn moment. The morti-
fed candidate, his face white
with fear, teeth chattering and knees knock
ing presented picture, best expressed by
IL Sc nayerait dams une 9outte d'eau, while
around the room sat the lodge with scarcely
a dry eye, straight face, or side that did not
ache among them all. Then followed the
examination which touched upon the most
secret and delicate affairs in the candidate
experience, and which drew from Jones most
explicit confessions, and sincere promises for
future good conduct. A march around the
room, to the music of "High Daddy" was
followed by the oath and obligations admin
istered by the Great Incahone upon one of
the church hymn books found in
the room. These I am unable.
through modesty, to present to your readers.
but suffice that they were very stringent and
very funny.
The members then arranged themselves in
line, two feet apart, and, by ''straddling,' -
formed the "royal arch," through which
Jones crawled upon hands and knees, re-
ceiving from each "brother'' hearty slap as
he passed. The candidate was next con-
Quoted to the centre of the room, caused to
kneel, and rest upon his elbows, his fore
head touching the floor, in which position he
received ''the lecture which
treated of astronomy, philosophy,
languages, arts, sciences, agriculture
physic, moral ethics and other pertinent
subjects, and at its conclusion he was sa-
luted by stream of ice cold water, delivered
through we'll directed hose, from the
rear, and then bid arise, follow his guide, and
fear no danger. The poor, half dead indi.
vidual complied; was led to the north
where the hoodwink was removed, and
where he received the congratulations of his
new "brethren." Such, very briefly, is the
ceremony of initiation, as performed by the
Pioneer relief association of this
city. In no particular have
I exaggerated, although I have
for decency's sake been obliged to omit
mention of much of the proceedings. MOI
have drawn upon imagination for subject
to illustrate the workings of an order tina,
puts to blush the once famous Sons of Malta
but have reported an actual event, merel,
giving to the candidate, who is a traveller
for one of the best houses in st. Paul, !.