The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-02-22
THE NOM OR.

extended to these brethren from sucn distant
homes and both were invited to address the
lodge Mr. Durant said:
'sBrethren-I have travelled much and long.
1 have found Masonic sympathy in every
part of the globe and everywhere is Masonry
the same. I can hardly tell where l reside
The world seems to be my home as remain
but short time in any town or country, but
nv name is recorded in an English lodge. L
love my English brethren for they first
brought me from darkness to light, and l
love the English soil for in it sleeps the wife
of my youth. But love American soil also,
for here received the warmest welcomes and
the kindest of brethren. My own child, too,
is sleeping in America, perhaps even beneath
the very waves that beat upon the shores OF
your beautiful village.
"Six years have passed since this dear
friend and brother robbed himself of his life
preserver when the vessel we sailed on was
burned, that my little Eva might perhaps es-
cape. We hoped the elements might be kind
and that Heaven might send her relief, but
she was never Q6aIu VI any luoIO.
The voice of Mr. Durant was quivering
with emotion and, unable to speak further,
he seated himself and covered his face with
his hands.
Chances of surprise and pleasure were cast
from one to another among the brethren OF
Hiram Lodge.
No one spoke, however, but all eyes turned
upon the master, Mr. Turner. For a mo-
ment he seemed rejecting; then taking slip
of paper from the secretary he wrote:
"MRs. TURNER Don't allow Eva to re-
tire till return home; tell her am going to
bring strange gentleman who wishes to see
her," Calling the junior deacon, Mr.. Turner
gave him the note, saying in low voice,
s'Take this note to Mrs. Turner Immediately. !"
"Why, Eva," said Mrs. Turner when she
read the message, ''you are going to have
company. A strange gentleman is at the
lodge room who wishes to see YOU"
Eva looked perplexed moment and then
clapping her little white hands she sprang to
her feet and exclaimed sob it must be
papa! No one else would wish to see me.
No one else in the world"
Before Mrs. Turner could stop her she
crossed the threshold and fitted through the
moonlight to the lodge room.
The tyler looked amazed when Eva burst
into the ante-room, her cheeks burning, her
eyes flashing with JOY and excitement. do
not stop me, am going in" she exclaimed.
But the inner door was fastened, and the
impatient Eva almost cried with vexation.
"Wait moment" said the tyler, who
knew nothing of what had TRANSFERRED within,
"wait moment, and I will send your re-
quest to Mr.. Turner He will come out and
see you"
81 shall not wait 1 do not want to see
Mr.. Turner want to see my papa"
''The child is crazy, that is evident" said
the tyler to himself; but calling out the dea-
con he babe him say that Eva was there and
determined to come into the lodge room.
The deacon went TO the east and delivered
his message in low tone, and in a moment
afterwards the craft was called from labor
to refreshments"
"Now," said Mr.. Turner, 8" tell the tyler
to let her come in"
And Eva did come, or rather bounded, into
the hall, more beautiful in her excitement
than before. She advanced to the centre of
the room and stood beside the altar There,
half poised upon the tiny foot, she scanned
rapidly the faces of all. Her eager eye soon
detected the strangers, who were seated be-
hind each other She seemed irresolute, then
darting forward with glad cry, she threw
her arms about the neck of Mr.. Durant, cry
ing "Oh, papa My dear papa! You have
come at last You were not burned in the
ship!"
We will not attempt to paint the scene
which followed, but we will leave our readers
to imagine the joy of the fond father, and al
low them to decide whether the tears that wet
the cheeks of the brethren of Hiram lodge
were caused by sympathy or grief because
they lost one whom they all dearly loved.
One day three or four weeks ago retail
grocer over in Jersey sat down with his clerk
one evening and said:
flames, owe New York houses over
80, OOO"
60 Yes, sir"
'We have 50, 600 in cash in the safe, the
&c oil, .,,,o do,r,o +b;c would lo fho