The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-11-24
A DREADFUL HUSBAND.
laying ass Degrees of Masonry ON a wife.
Mii,cdukee Sun.

Il
Miitcdakee Sun.
A middle-aged lady, with q black alpac
dress, worn shiny at the elbows, and cheal
shawl, and cheap bonnet, and her hand
puckered up and blue, as though she hat
just got her washing out, went into the offic,
OF a prominent Mason few mornings sine,
and took chair. She wiped her nose anS
the perspiration from her face on blue
checked apron, and when the Mason looked
at her, with an interested, = brotherly look a
though she were in trouble, she said:
care you the boss Mason ?"
he blushed, told her he was Mason, bu,
not the highest In the land. She hesItated
moment, fingered the corner of her apron
and curled IL up like boy speak ing piec,
In school, and asked:
Have You taken the whole 233 degrees OF
Masonry?
The man laughed and told her there
were only thirty-three degrees and he had
only taken thirty two. The other degree
could only be taken by very few who were
recommended by the Grand Lodge, and they
had to 60 to New York to get the thirty third
degree.
The lady studied moment, unpinnad the
safety-pin that held her shawl together, put
1t IN her mouth, took long breath and then
said:
"Where does my husband get the other
200 degrees, then ?"
The prominent Mason said be guessed her
husband never got 200 degrees, unless he
had degree factory. He said he didn't un-
derstand the lady.
"D"es my husband have to set up with a
corpse three nights a week?" she asked, her
eyes flashing fire. Sand do they keep lot
Of sick Masons on tap for my husband to sit
up with the other three nights ?'
The prominent Mason said he was thank
full that few Masons died, and only OCCASION
ally was one sick enough to call for Masonic
assistance.
but why do you ask these questions,
madam ?'' said the prominent Mason.
The woman picked up the fringe of her
shawl, hung her head down, and said:
"Well my husband began 10 join the Ma.
sons about two years ago, and he has been
taking degrees or sitting up with people
every night since. He has come hor,e twice
with. he wrong pair Of drawers on, and when
asked him how it was, he said 1t was Sc
cret be could not reveal under the penalty of
being shot with a cannon. All he would
say was he took degree. have kept lit
tie track Of IL aud l figure that he has taken
233 degrees, including the grand Sky Fugle
degree, which he took the night he came
home with his lip cut and his ear haiging by
a piece Of skim"
"Oh; madam" said the prominent Mason,
There is no Sky Fusle degree in Masonry.
Your husband has deceived you"
''Ehat's what think" she said, as a bale
ful light appeared in her eye. "He said he
was taking the Sky Fugle degree aud fell
through the skylght. had him sewed I'D
and he was ready for more degrees. After
hs had taken about IJU degrees | told him
should think he would let up OH il and put
,ome potatoes in the cellar fvr winter. but
he said that when man once got started on
he degrees he had TO take them all or he
iidnt amount to anything. Sometimes q
brother Alason comes home along with him
IN the morning and they talk about full
lush and about their pat hands and raising
hem OUT One night when he was asleep [
beard him whisper, I,raise you ten dollars
and when asked him what he meant, he
laid they had been raising purse for poor
widow. Another time he raised UP In bed,
'fter he had been asleep, and shouted, Il
tand pat and when asked him what he
meant, he said be was ruined IL told it. He
aid he had spoken the password, and IL the |
brethren heard Of it they would put him out
If the way, even as Morgan was put out of
he way. Mister, is stand pat your pass
word p
The Mason told her IL was not; that the |
words she had spoken were an expr ession |
Used by men when playing draw poker, and |
,e added that he didn't believe her husband |
vas Mason at all, but that he had been ". |
ng to her all these years.
She sighed and said "Thats what I |
bought when he came home with lot of
worry chips In his pocket. He said they used
hem at the lodge TO vote on candidates, and
hat white chip elects and blue chip re- /
ects candidate. you will look the mat.
er up and see II lie has Joined the Masons |
Eill be obliged to you. He says he has ia.
en all the 233 degrses, and now the boys
rant him 70 join the Knights of Pythias.
rant TO get out an injunction to prevent him
rom joining anything else until we get some
lothes for the winter. ri tell you what
ill do. The next time he says anything
bout Che Sky Fugle degrees, will take the
and make him think there Is one
-gree in Masonry he has skipped, and now
ood-bye. You have comforied me greatly,
nd ! will lay awake tonight till my hus-
and comes from the lodge with his pat
and, and will make him think he has for.
often his ante"
The lady went out to The grocery to buy
'me bar soap, and the prominent Mason re.
imed his business with feeling that we
re Lot all truly good, ,aRd that there is cheat
lg going on-all around.
Il