Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-27
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
FROM the ClrteiaBd Sou.

ffgfn the tlrfelapd Huu.
Strange as it may seem even 10
members of the Order of Knights of
Pyihias elsewhere, lodge in Bay
City, Michigan, has had the expert.
ence of inducing female into the
mysteries of two degrees of the Order,
and partially through that of third
degree before her sex was discovered.
II has placed the lodge in a sad dilcm-
ma, and none of the members are able
to predict what will be the outcome
thereof They have been very reti-
cent regarding the particulars OF the
case, but Il reporter who belongs to
the Order has, through diligent in
quiry among the members thereof.
been able to CLEAN the following facts
IN the case.
About two years ago n young man
of prepossessing appearance, tall aud
handsome, with a smooth face, dark
hair and bluish-grey eyes. who gave
his name "a Frank Chambers aud his
place of nativity as Cleveland. applied
at large clothing store on Centre
street. Bay City, for situation as
clerk, and his appearance made such
a favorable impression on the younger
of the three brothers who kept the
store that, being in want of clerk,
he engaged the newcomer, and did not
even ask for references. To this the
other brothers demurred, but the new
clerk took hold in such handy man
mar, bad such winning ways, and
proved such an excellent salesman
tina. no more was thought or spoken of
references.
From the start, being apparently
about the same age. the younger mem
ber of the firm aud the new clerk be-
came on very amicable terms. aud
were inseparable companions. with the
exception that the new clerk took n
room aud board at n private house.
and would not listen to the proposal,
often made, 10 occupy a room and
board with him.
Matters ran along smoothly in this
way for nearly two years, when the
young merchant, after repeated solici.
lations, prevailed upon the clerk to
join the order of Knights of Pythias.
rhereupon his application was pre-
sented TO the lodge, approved, and the
candidate elected. When, however,
at the next meeting. the clerk was re.
quested TO be in readiness for iuitia.
ton, he did not put in an appearance,
and gave as an excuse that he felt
timid about the matter but ut the
next meeting thereafter he was prompt
ly on hand. aud inducted into the
mysteries of the Pages or first de-
gree of the order. AT the next meet.
ing the uewly.made Page was reluct-
ant TO take the Esquire's, or second
degree. but was after time prevailed
upon to do 50, and that night became
an Esquire. When the time arrived
to take the third degree the candidate
hesitated still more than before, but
not one of the brethren suspected the
true cause thereof--they attributed il
to his usual timidity. and after several
of them had talked with the young
clerk, whom they all had come to adj
mire and respect. he entered the lodge
room, witnessed the first degree confer.
ed upon new candidate, and had
nearly passed through the third de-
gree before the sex was discovered.
just exactly how this came about the
unwritlcn work of the order will not
permit the writer TO disclose but the
members were struck with consterna.
ton, and then aud there ell further
proceedings we're suspended. The
young lady had tainted upon finding
out that her sex was discovered, and
upon regaining consciousness vas
thrown into Mysteries, and no coherent
story could 30 wrung from her, either
By the gentle pleadings of her en-
pIoyer or the threats Of members
and her hyzleria increasing, sho vas
conveyed 70 Der boarding houae n