Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-10-11
ONE GENT
ABUsED HUSBANDS.
An OrsnnizAtlon for their NEakunl Proaertlon
ana RslleF-The Mystic Circle.


An Orspnintion eor their Nlnsnnl Protertlon
and RslleE-The agynslo Circle.
The most extraordinary society ever o.
ganized IN this country has just found
stamping ground in this city. IT'S title
is "The Order Of the Mystic Circle. - Its
objects are the protection and the relief
Of unfortunate husbands. Only thoss
men ara eligible 60 membership who have
had difficulties with their wives. The
difficulties. to pass muster. must be Of
serious character. A member once ed
mitted ceases 20 be in good standing
when his marital difficulties cease. The
patching up OF . household truce Il
cause for suspension and investigation.
Tho meeting place uf the new order il
007 SAMSON street, A safe and inviolate
retreat has been secured in the topmoss
floor Of that building. Stalwart guards
have been provided 20 protect the ap-
proaches. Unknown faces are proscrib-
ed. A failure to accomplish the most
intricate grip evolved by secret societies
deters even member Ia good standing
from admission. Possibilities OF surprise
and exposure have been made almost as
remote as with Masonic lodge.
It was only few nights ago that the
initial meeting at S07 Sansom street
was held and temporary organization
effected. The fame OF the new order
had spread. The half dozen originators
of the. design had communicated their
inspiration TO those Of their friends
whom they knew to be in the throes Of
hymenial trouble. In an incredibly brief
time 200 damaged husbands knew that
there was balm in Gilead They attended
the meeting. They listened to the un-
folding of the scheme. They approved
OF it. They elected their officers. formed
their committees and paid in their nrBt
installments.
The husband who had the worst case
and possessed the most implacable wife
was unanimously elected to the chief ex-
ecutive office. There was no suspicion
of sarcasm when he was conducted 10
the chair at the head OF the house and
received the degree of ''grand master"
Husbands who occupy distinguished po-
sitions in business and official circles re-
ceived the distribution OF Offices. The
leading executive committee OF the or
ganization was composed of men whose
family affairs were involved beyond
question and their adjustment outside
the bonds of probability. They are dis
tinguished by the title of the .'grand
jury" There are twenty-five OF them.
The first duty of the grand jury, az
explained at the preliminary meeting, is
TO receive and vigorously examine in q
private room an applicant who claims
the protecting privileges Of the order.
Among the injunctions laid upon the
applicant are these: He must prove by
documentary evidence or by witness that
some intangible difficulty existe between
himself and his worst half, and that his
existence in consequence is miserable.
He must produce photograph Of his
wife, which Is to be filed in the picture
gallery Of the order. After the examine.
tion of the applicant the grand jury de-
bates the question OF hig eligibility and
reports to the grand master.
II successful, an initiation fee ranging
from 81 to S.. according to the degree of
hopelessness in the case, is imposed upon
the new member. This Is followed By
regular payments into the exchequer Of
the order Of twenty-five cents q month.
The society binds itself to pay all counsel
fees in cases of law suits, and to coutribute
alimony If divorce takes that unfortu-
nate course. For this purpose the mem-
bers are assessed weekly.
The detective committee, composed Of
three. is designated to hunt up evidence
in the husbands behalf The black bot
tie committee administers consolation.
They predict membership of 5000 be-
fore they get their charter Philadelphia
Tfmaa