The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-21
Going to the Lodge p"
BY ETHEL EDGEwooD.

BY ETHEL EDGEwooD.
The words were simple enough, but
the intOnatiOn meant volumes.
Lena Isoring did not know how unlike
herself she looked, as her pretty slip
pered foot patted the carpet so nervously.
Her husband, who was arranging col
lar and eravat at the dressing place, had
been half regretting that duty com
pelled him 90 attend the Lodge that
evening He would enjoy quiet hour
Al home. after the cares OF day. aud
lena? Well, TO be sure, she was lonely,
aud then he could see if the tables were
turned. lie would hardly relish having
his wife 90 out alone to a Lodge meet
ing, and he stay at home. MOI he
wouldn't and the idea Of her having
secrets which she dared not reveal to
him-why, the thought was an impOsi-
tiOn. he was half angry with himself
in his pity for her, when the words rang
out = second time, "GOing to the
L0d4ef"
The word "lodge" was slightly explo-
size. and suggested that pOetical retreat
20 lhe wilderness" i" he had no desire to
reach; vet what did his wife know about
the lodge? could he blame her? why,
II ge was such a help to men,
would 1t 10 help women as well2 The
thought startled him.
Roy Loring hadn't thought so much
about it before, yes, he tOdS going 10 the
lodge, and going alone, and his wife
must stay at home alone too, most likely
sitting up till late hour waiting his
return.
Still he made no answer, when again,
"GOing 10 the Lodge ?n almost made
him drop the brush be held i'm his hand.
BY this time better feelings had re-
sumed their sway, the tone Was kinder,
and meant, "Shall 1 not help you get
ready ?n
They could not talk about the Lodge
for obvious reasons, while their minds
were so engrOssed they could think OF
nothing else, and with little sigh Mrs.
Loring said "Good night" and Mr..
Loring was soon seated in the Dictator's
chair OF - Lodge, "knights OF
Honor.n
"This Order is just in its infancy, but
is so robust a yOungster that it has al
ready kicked itself out of swaddliug
clothes and stands alone. Thousands OF
husbands and fathers desirOus Of help
ing their fellow men and leaving some
thing al death to their families, by the
mysterious process known only to our
GEAh g NNAllE III AA4f- A0lEE-A AWuAn Nttftf U4A
go out Knights. They are our brothers,
and everywhere we hail them such. The
bond is the bond, dear as life, of Honor.
We refer with true pride 10 our ances-
tors, the knights OF olden times, who
were not afraid to lay down life, il need
be, for the weak. Day by day the armor
OF brotherhood has been binding each
one OF US TO the other. We, as Christian
men, know that bearing another's bur-
dens' fulfills the law of Christ; as bus
iness men, common sorrow affects US
alike su' makes the hereaved ones our
sisters al I children No man ever looks
as grand as when protecting the be-
reare1 But has il never occurred to
ynu, my brothers, that we are all the
while taking care Of other peoples wild
ows and neglecting our own wives +?
What good does the Lodge do the wife /?
Men WORK for wOman's sake; why not
devise plan that mutual aid be mu-
tually aided by both ?"
Knight Loring had spoken earnestly,
and the animation Of his face lessened a
little as he continued
left my wife alone tonight, as
have every night since the Lodge was
Organized How many Of you have
wives TO leave?'
A score Of hands was raised.
"Weil, how many would like 20 have
-heir wives with them at their meet
.ngs
only Two demurred. One, a tall, ca
daver0uE man, said.
The women know too much now.
All the way We can manage them is to
threaten 10 join more Lodges
The other, sleepy, dull individual,
drawiod out:
"Whst do women know about busi-
ness or voting? Put a lot Of them in
the Lodge, and you make it nothing but
chiId's ay.n
and tie pudgy man sat down, amid
the laughter Of his fellows
"a it'e leaven leavens the lump.n -
Not a iw fierce debates were held
grave e1unsels with closed doors-untiI
the result was announced TO the world,
and On new banner was inscribed.
knights and Ladies Of Honor"
"Going to the Lodge tonight ~
It is Roy who asks it now, and Lena's
face is very bright as she answers:
Yes, indeed. I wouldn't miss going
for anything. Why, Roy, it seems so
strange how I used to stay home alone.
and bow often ! asked you the same
question and how often ! thought two
thousand dollars was a dear sum TO nav
Tor being away from you fifty-two even
inE7 in year; and now, when our
mel eignoora and their wives come in TO-
geiheri aud we pass such pleasant hours
and We are really such mutual Aid I
bless the man who first advoeaied
Knights and Ladies Of Honor - -
aud Roy Loring said "a neni'
So say we all Woman at iVyrE