The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-14
THE SONS OF MALTA.
RecollsetiOns of a Secret Order that Forced
Good Men to ''Give Them
selves Away
'louisville courier-Joarnal.

zation was the capture of Cuba, and many
prominent military men of the South were
the leading spirits In the movement. For
reasons which the writer is not at liberty to
divulge the filibustering plans of the order
we're abruptly squelched, and soon there
after a well-known newspaper man, who had
been initiated, conceived the idea of making
''some fun for the boys" The whole bust
ness of initiation, etc.. was transformed
into a series of the most stupendous
sells, practical jokes and outrageously
comical proceedings ever dreamed of.
The order spread rapidly all over the Union.
1t was generally believed by the outside
public that the Sons of Malta was a benevo-
lent society, and to foster this belief frequent
lengthy notices of charitable deeds performed
by the order we're published in the newspa-
pers all over the land. Meetings were held
weekly, and there was SO much solid fun to
be enjoyed that nothing short of a death in
the family would deter member from at
tending. Therefore, in many places the
membership was so great that the utmost
difficulty was experienced in obtaining lodge
rooms of sufficient capacity.
Candidates for initiation were ushered into
the hall, where those who were already mem
bers were arranged in rows, each covered
from head to foot with a white or black gown,
in which were cut small holes for the eyes
and mouth. With this garment on the
identity of the wearer was perfectly con-
cealed and the candidates who were initiated
at one time did not know whether they were
in the hands of friends or strangers.
To each candidate the master of ceremon-
les" in most impressive and pleasing man
ner, stated the objects of the order and told
how the brotherhood came together with one
aim and one understanding. I'VE are bound
together" he said, ''by the ties of love, con-
fdence and charity for one another, strength
ened and solicited by the cement of COMES
sion. We open up the secrets of our hearts
in the hearing and presence of each other.
We are all sinful creatures, and confession is
good for the soul. Our good deeds speak for
themselves, and our bad deeds are recorded
and in due time these records are burned
and the ashes are all that remain of dead
and forgotten past"
Then the candidate was asked if he was
willing to leave the sinful world behind and
enter upon the new life. An affirmative an
swer, and the initiation began. He was i'm
mediately blindfolded led to a step-ladder
and told to ascend and seat himself on the
top stair with arms folded. This was the
position each had TO occupy while under
going the ordeal of a ''oonfes-
son' of his misdeedS. He would
be led along by adroit questioning until he
made what was regarded as "clean breast
of his moral shortcomings. When particu-
larry rich or unexpected admission was
pumped out of him, a deep, sepulchral voice
solemnly exclaimed:
Record i'll"
And Immediately heavy blow was struck
a drown lrrpnFASSlhlo
laughter.
If a candidate gave evidence of desire to
conceal anything he was given to under
stand that the inner secrets OF his soul were
known to the order and to hesitate in giving
them would bea objectionable crime in the
eyes of the brotherhood. This would suffice
for many, but the majority would of course
hold out and refuse to answer some indeli-
cate question, liable to lead into channel
shat might involve him in a disagraeable con-
fession. And all through this was exactly
what was aimed at.
In such cases an intimate friend of the
candidate would pass up to the master of
ceremonies on slip of paper point or two
in some questionable transaction of the APP
plicant's life and this would prove the key
to unlock the secret recesses of his heart.
Then would the master say, in a tone of re-
buke:
The records of the order show that upon
such day, in such year, while you were
in the city of Cincinnati you did thus and
So" Then in tone mildly expostulatory
be continued:
My friend-would couldcall you broth
er-as have said before, all your misdeeds
are known to the order of which you are
seeking admission. While crossing the
portals which separate our brotherhood from
wicked and sinful world, and while about
entering upon new life, and breathing a
purer atmosphere, you have ungratefully
10, To-. : ,.o
punished and thrust back into the wicked
ness you are so loath to leave behind.
Sir Knight, summon the council of ten
and take the recreant before that tribunal
for punishment"
Then to the candidate, in a saddened tone
Of voice:
''Sir, there is but one way in which you
can redeem yourself in the eyes of the
Northumberland a full and complete con-
fession"
The feeling that their secrets might act
ually be in possession of the brotherhood,
and an indefinable dread of what that coun-
Gil of ten might do in the way of punish
ment, invariably unlocked the mouth, and
some of the most sedate citizens-men of
good character and stauding-were forced to
own up to moral transgressions they would
not care to have appear In print.
The candidate was then asked if he could
swim. If he answered in the affirmative the
reply was LET us see you" If in the mega
tive, the answer was, 1--WE will teach you"
Still bindfolded, he was marched to far
corner of the room, where a stream of water
from a faucet kept up the deluson of pros
pectIve bath, and commanded to disrobe for
the plunge. Four strong brothers then
seized him, and with toss placed him with
his stomach resting on the top of a high
stool, and told him to strike out" The de-
fusion was so great that the poor victim
would kick and paw the air, and make the
most ridiculous exertions imaginable.
Although 1t was a dry bath, the new
fedged brother had to be put through the
drying-machine. This was high, narrow
box-lust high enough and wide enough for
a man to stand upright in. When he was
IN three Stats were inserted to keep him in
position while he was going through the dry