The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-11-26
A Masonic Sign.

from our ancient and honorable in
stitution areincalculable. By the way
we should have said Brother Jones,
for he brother Jones) was high in
Masonry, and was Past Grand Deputy
Junior Door Opener for the courts OF
Cockayneshire.
''For instance" continued Brother
Jones, "P. G. ID. j. ID. o.; look at the
position you take when travelling
think of the consideration paid to
you; why, when landed on the Island
OF Bambaroo, the king hearing l was
a Mason, sent down detachment OF
his guards (black) to escort me to his
palace"
But" said Smith, surprised, "are
all Masons thus honored.
"Well-no," answered Brother Jones
hesitatingly, 'only those who belong
to the very highest degree, and be-
long to the very highest, the double
superior and superlatlve degree of the
combined rose, thistle and palm tree,
or the three hundred and sixty fifth
degree. There are but seven members
of it in the known world, and they
are all crowned heads except myself" +"
"And you!' exclaimed Smith, chow
on earth were you admitted?'
IL don't wonder at your SURPRISE"
continued Jones, "others have Won
dered at it, and envied me. You see,
such is the universally OF Masonry,
that even crowned heads are COM
PEELED to admit one outsider into their
fraternity, else what would become of
the principle OF equality"
81 see" said Smith, savagelv, for he
began to suspect that Brother Jones
was chatting him, "and you were a very
outsider"
But Brother Jones was in earnest.
If he was not q member of this super
lative degree, he had dreamed he was,
and believed, SO it came to the same
thing.
Now, about these signs" said
Smith. 81 don't ask you to tell me
your secrets, but | object to take p
leap in the dark, and if l am to Join
your lodge, (for this was the contin-
gency that led up to the conversation
/ L sslloil'l Ilhc W hilOW JuSu SOlilc lllllS
about it beforehand"
Brother Jones seemed to hesitate
for a few moments, then he appeared
buried in profo und reflection. At
length he rose. and taking Smith by
the hand, he said:
"Smith, you are my Oldest friend,
can | trust you?"
Smith said, "You can, upon my
honor"
"If it were known" said Jones'
"that had divulsed the least part OF
a secret, my life wouldn't be safe for
half an hour
WHAT exclaimed Smith, edo you
Masons 90 about like the bandits in
melodramas, with daggers concealed
| in your boots?"
"Well, no-not exactly in our boots,
! because the majority OF us wear shoes;
but it is so. However, I'll chance it. !"
Here Jones went cautiously around
! the room, locked the door, and hung
his hat on the knob, so as to cover the
keyhole.
"Why do you put your tile there"
asked Smith.
ITO keep off," said Jones. "In
| SNORT, TO Llle Ine room.
The upshot OF Brother Jones' retlec-
ton was this: He had thought of a
plan to impart to his friend Smith a
Masonic sign without compromising
his fealty to the Craft.
when do you propose going to
Bristol?" he asked him.
This day week"
Good. Now, if l put you in pos.
session OF one OF our secret signs. and
You are satisfied with the result,
shall expect to propose you as a
Mason. 1t is the only way you can
make atonement to my conscience.
II agree" said Smith, "and here's
my hand on it,
"Nery well. Now you are going to
Bristol this day week. Wellyou shall
see the wonderful results OF the Masonic
sign. Double your fist thus-please to
copy me-extend the forefnger of your
right hand, and apply it three times
to the right side OF your nose-gently
| tapping it thus"
But why three times?"
ooh. true-I have made a mistake
and given you an advanced sign.
Once would have DONE but it can't be
helped now. When you 60 to tbs
booking office ask for first.clase
Ticket to Bristol, give the sign asg
have shown you, and the bookin
clerk will give you one for nothing.
Smith opened his eyes in surprise.
"Yes," continued Jones, "a first
class ticket to Bristol for nothing
1t is in this way: Ii you only tapped
your nose once they would have
given you third class ticket-what
we call an 'E. p. a. ticket; twice, you
would receive o. second-class ticket
but, as l have told you three times
you may as we'll have the advantage
OF an NJ. NJ. ticket and ride first"
Accordingly, in due course, Smith
presented himself at the little window
gave the sign by tapping his nose three
times as instructed, and at once re
ceived his ticket.
"All right, Brother" said the clerk,
"pass on" Aud it was all right
Smith obtained his frst-class ticket
and went down to Bristol.
Great was his amazement, and lite
did he suspect Brother Jones had ar
ranged the joke thus: He had a friend
who was booking clerk at the rail
way and member OF his own lodge
and not grudging trifle for the fur
OF the thing, he had given him the cos,
ola first class ticket to Bristol, and in
structed him to hand it over to the
person who should act in the manner
he had instructed Smith to act.
Smiths business transacted, th,
next day it was imperative on him tc
J return. and presenting himself at tn,
booking Office, he again made th'
!: mystic sign.
lone pound twelve" responded th'
clerk.
Eyes, know, but" tap, tap, tai
and he repeated the sign.