New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-05-13

knights took Ike by the arm and led
him into darkened chamber where he
was marched around eleven times, while
Grand Marshalsand the Past Pluperfect
Chaplain read. all manner Of wise ad-
monitions to him out OF book, and the
knights swords clanksd as the process
sion moved Around. There was an air of
mystery surrounding every thing, and
premonition sfsomething dreadful yet to
come took hold of Ike.
He sincerely wished that he had new
or heard Of a secret society, and he reg
istered solemn vow in his own mind
that if he got; out Of this with his life he
would never join another.
His guide made him kneel down on
the foor, and with his right hand on his
throat and his left hand on human
skull made him swear that he would
never divulge the secrets of the Order.
The bandage was taken from his eyes
and he was conducted out to the ante
room.
A gray Mother Hubbard dress was
put on him and he was escorted back to-
the chamber of mysteries. Here, after
some preliminaries, he was led in frcat
of q small circular saw that was revclv-
ing with extraordinary rapidity. A
walking cane and a piece of stove wood
Were successfully sawed in pieces that
Ike might see how effectively the saw
did its work. He was then marched
around the chamber, broughtup in front
of the saw again and Informed in Sc
pulcral voice, by the Grand High Past
Something or-other, that, as test Of
his courage, he would be required to
place the index finger of his right hand
in front Of the saw and allow. it to be
cut off at the second joint.
7 II will not any such dings do"
said Ike, his hair standing on end with
terror. "Vat sense is dot for seegret
societies to cut man up? OFF I had
been acquainted mid dose dings you
seegret society men does, I would not
had nodings TODD NIT you already. I
want to go away from here und stop
does foolishness."
The Past Grand Guardian of the Post
ern Gate now told Ike that he was act
ing in a mann er that if he persisted in
. would draw down the dire ven eance of
tip Knights of the Arctic Circle. He
said that by Ike's lack of confidence he
had already incurred an additional pen
atty, and it would now be necessary &C.
cording to the laws and bylaws of the
Order, that he put two fingers to the
saw to be cut off before he could be adj
mitted to full fellowship, and the P.
G.. G.. of the p. G., advised him as
friend to proceed at once and saw them
off.
Ike said, II want no such fellowship.
1t would be tam fool fellowship to cut
off my fingers to please you fellows NIT
tin watering pots on. I tells you wants
to go from this blaze away.
Brethren, it pains me to use harsh
measures, but as this candidate refuses
to obey the orders of the Lodge he must
suffer the penalty. I command you to
take him, bind him. and hold his wrist
against the saw until his hand is cut off.
See that's doctor is in attendance -Four
knights caught Ike. He struggled and
howled, but it was of no avail. His legs
were tied, his left arm was secured to
his waist, and he was brought in front of
the saw. He begged for mercy, but no
mercy was shown him. One Knight
suggested that vote be taken to de-
termlne it it was not better to saw the
candidates head Of Then they brought
his right hand closer and closer to the
revolving saw, and the closer it came
the louder Ike begged for mercy. There
was no mercy for him. Atlast his hand
was pushed violently against the teeth
OF the saw and the Knights yelled as
the soft paper saw, polished with black
lead and had been substituted for the
real saw while Ike was being escorted
around the room-was torn to pieces
and Ike fell back breathless and faint
but unscathed. Loud and long was the
laugh of the Knights, and Ike soon
joined the hilarity. He was so happy
to find that it was only "joke off dose
tin helmet fellers."
Then he received lecture on Obe-
dience, and was given the signs and
passwords Of the Order.
When the Lodge adjourned Ike was
so overjoyel at finding that he had got
through without the loss OF any of his
limbs that he recklessly invited the
whole Lodge to accompany him to q
saloon and join him in glass of wine.
Some of the members stayed with Ike.
who was determined to make.a night of
it, in commemoration of his escape
from bodily mutilation. They took
many drinks, and when about to leave,
Ike was in q very mellow condition.
He discovered that he had no money,
but he ordered parting drink, and
telt rich enough to buy distillery.
Charge does to me-" he said to the
bar keeper.
II don't know you, sir, " said the bar.
keeper.
Maybe you recognizes dot, . said Ike,
and he placed his right hand behind his