The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1881-10-25
E0oling the K. Of P.

Strange as II may seem, even 10
members of the Order of Knights OF
Pythias elsewhere, lodge In Bay
City, Mich, has had the experience OF
inducing female into the myster-
les OF two degrees of the Order, and
partially through that Of the third
degree, before her sex was discoy-
cred. 1t has placed the lodge in q
sad dilemma, and none of the mem.
bers are able to predict what will be
the outcome thereof. They have
been very reticent regarding the par
ticulars Of the case, but reporter
who belongs 10 the Order has, through
diligent inquiry among the members
thereof, been able 10 CLEAN the follow
lug facts il the case: About two
years ago young man OF prcpos-
sessing appearance, tall and hand
some, with smooth face, dark hair
and blush grey eyes, who gave his
name as Frank Chambers snd his
place of nativity as Cleyoland, sp
piled at a large store OH Center ST.,
Bay City, for situation as u clerk,
and his appearance made such fa-
vorable impression upon the young
er of the TWO brothers who kept the
store, that, being in want OF clerk,
he engaged the services of the new
csmer, and did not even ask for ref
erences. To this the oth.r brother
demurred, but the new clerk took
hold in such handy manner, had
such winning ways, and proved such
an excellent salesman, that no more
was thought or spoken Of references.
From the start, being apparently
about the same age, the younger
member of the firm and the now
clerk became OIL very amicable terms,
and were insepaiable companions,
with the exception that the new
clerk took room aud board at phi
vate residence, and would not listen
TO the proposal, often made, to occu-
py room aud board with him.
Matters ran along smoothly this way
for nearly two years, when the young
merchant, after repeated solicitations,
prevailed upon the clerk TO join the
order Of Knights of Pythias. There
upon hisapplicaiion was presented
to the lodge, approved and the can
iidate elected. When, however, at
the next meeting the clerk was re.
quested to be in readiness for initia.
lion he did not put in an appearances.
aud gave as an excuse that he felt
timid about the matter; but ut the
next meeting thereafter he was
promptly on hand, and inducted into
the mystery of the pages or fret de-
gree OF the order. At the next meet
ing the newly made page was reluc-
tant to take the esquire's or second
degree, but was after time prevailed
upon to do so, and that night be-
came an esquire. When tho time ar
rived TO receive the third degree the
candidate still hcsitated more than
before, but not one OF the brethren
suspected the true case thcreof-they
attributed IL to his usual timidity, and
after several OF them had talked TO
the young clerk, whom they had all
come to admire and respect, he en-
tered the lodge room, witnessed the
first degree conferred upon new
candidate and had nearly passed
through the third degree before the
sex was discovered. Just how this
came about the unwrilten work OF
the order will not permit the writer
TO disclose; but the members were
struck with consternation, and there
all further proceedings were sus'
pended. The young lady had tainted
upon finding out that her sex was
discovered, and upon regaining con.
sciousness was thrown into Mysteries
and no coherent story could be
wrung from her either by the gentle
pleading of her employer or The
threats OF members, and her hysteria
increasing she was conveyed to heI
boarding house in a close carriage
and 6 doctor called TO attend the
case. The above incidents occurred
about five weeks ago, and are now
made public tor the first time. The
young lady had a trunk full of female
wearing apparel, and ina day or two
after the doctor had quieted hel
nerves, she donned her natural gar
ments, sent for her employer friend
and she made clean breast of wht
she was and where her parents, liv,
but she refused to disclose any of tn,
facts about her. She still remains il
Bay City. and rumor is busy will
the report that the younger membe
ofthe firm for whom she worked will
marry her, and thus make n stronge
bar of secrecy on the part OF tn,
young lady. Rumor also has II tina