Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-06-06
NEW VOL. 25-NO. 36.
He Knew Il All.

Sam Phipps, the oldest conductor
on the Central Road and the best
wildcat" man in the State, is the
greatest wag in the employ of the
company. He can tell a good story
and takes great delight in putting up
a job on the boys along the line
whenever opportunity offers.
A few years ago Sam had his gang
OF men at work near Lebanon and
his train was side-tracked there for
several hours. A foreman OF the
road was there also who now holds
a position on the Rockaway Road.
This man is a prominent Mason and
had frequently conversed with Sam
about the order and anxious that he
should join lodge. While their
men were at work Sam and his com
panion sat on a fiat car, and in the
course Of conversation the subject OF
Freemasonry was introduced by
Jack, we will call him.
Well, said Sam, Il don't think
much of Freemasonry. Why, a fel-
low told me just last night how they
put a man through the first degree
and believe it's true, too"
Jack laughed and said How do
they do it, SAM
Well said Sam, "he told me that
they took him in reception room
and did so and So describing the
manner.
Jacks face blanched and he said -
That's all bosh." But Sam contin-
ued
They took him in the lodge room
and performed the following ceremo-
NY describing the whole work rs IL
is done in the degree.
Sam would glance at Jack out of
the corner OF his eye as he told the
story, and Jacks face was study.
He became red and white by turns,
and his emotions were such that Sam
saw he could hardly control them.
When Sam had finished Jack said:
Now that's all n blamed lie, Sam.
There is nothing OF that kind done In
a lodge, and wouldn't repeat such
nonsense To anybody else IL were
you. You just join the lodge and
then you'll see what n fool this fellow
has been trying to make OF you"
When Sam left with his train Jack
was worried. He was n great lover
OF Masonry and one OF the brightest
Masons in the State. He was sure an
exposure had been made In Phillips
burg.
The next day X. ID. Swackhamer,
superintendent Of buildings and
bridges, stopped at Lebanon, and
Jack was there. Mr.. Swackhamer
was known, and is yet, all along the
line as Pap" Swackhamer. He was
a member and fast member OF the
lodge Sam had joined.
"Do you know said Jack, as soon
as he could get Pap" away from his
men, that Masonry has been eh'
posed y
No" said Pap when :
Where 2
"In Phillipsburg," said Jack, In
hoarse whisper.
II guess not said Pap" much re-
lieved II was there at IA lodge meet
ing night before last and j heard
nothing Of IT,"
II tell you it is true said Jack.
Sam Phipps was here yesterday and
told me that a man In Phillipsburg,
who was Mason, had told him Just
how they conferred the entered APP
prentice degree, and tell you Ihe
had il almost word for word from the
time a candidate enters the door un-
I'll he leaves the lodge room
Then Pap" threw himself back
and laughed until the fence rails rat
tied, and Jack was 20 ratified the
roar Of laughter nearly knocked hini
down.
II don't see anything to laugh at
sal Jack.
IL do" said Pap" Sam took his
first degree the night was there"
"The d he did, " said Jack.