, 1892-04-09
A SPY IN THE LODGE.
WHAT : YOUNG MAN SAW in Al
LADIES LODGE.

how He GIeverIy get ont with
out Detectiom-He d oes not Think
HE Will try it again.
There is a certain town not five thousand
miles from here that is pretty well stirred
up over the report that young man of
rather sporting proclivities managed to
work his way into the lodge Of ladies re-
Gently and witnessed the initiation cere-
mony. As far as is known he is the only
man who was ever permitted to witness
this spectacle and live, and the chances
are that if the members even now were to
find out who he was they would track him
to his lair and destroy him in three Jerks
of lambs tail, for the ladies won't stand
any nonsense in lodge matters.
The young man who bearded the ladies
in theirsden is of medium height and has a.
wart on his of shoulder. His face is desti-
tute Of hair, and he has soft boarding
house voice that is we'll calculated to de-
ceive. On the evening in question be
rigged himself up in suit Of his sisters
clothes and a No. hustle. Then he put a
dash of real color on his cheeks. tied a
T.
see the fun. His first inclination was to
take bracer to steady his nerves before
entering the lodge room, but on sober sec
ond thought he was afraid the danes
might detect the odor on his breath. SO he
RETAINED, and merely chewed gum to keep
his saliva in circulation. AS he Knocked
on the outer doora gruf female voice that
seemed to be.full of splinters asked tWho Is
the sister that seeks to enter the sacred Dor
tails ~
I'm aroyal arch sister from the shrine Of
Lulu" responded the visitor in duIcet
tones, as he worked his chewing gum over
TO the reserve corner of his mouth. "Can
I enter the sacred portals? I'm square.
level and plumb and can 60 three ways
at once.n
'"Tis well, /" responded the sentinel a.
she swung back the door, and allowed the
visitor to enter.
A few minutes later pony bull dame,
who was graceful despite the fact that she
tHrned her toes in when she walked, sidled
up and asked:
MHow about the password ?E
Inc VISITOR was confused for a moment
but soon recovered his second wind. and
explained that he had forgotten it. This
was Satisfactory, as 1t IS said to be COM
mon complaint among the mem bers.
In short time preparations were made
tor the initiation. First the fire in the
stove was stirred up until the room was "a
warm that the degree team had to remove
their surclngles, and occasionally repair to
the speaking tube for breath Of fresh air
FINALLY when the thermometer registered
l2O degrees IN the shade the lights were
turned down to the sparkling point and
| there was low, mysterious rumble that
sounded like load of stolen chickens
going over bridge. Then there was q
long, deep drawn sigh from NADIA. the ily
who sat at the head of the degree team and
| acted as director. Next came sepulchral
whisper from under the stove: "Is the
candid ate ready ~
| The pause that followed was so intense
that one OF the gold fish in the acouarium
burst its gall and arose to thesurface. The
effect OF this on the candidate was not re-
assuring, and as she took her place under
the sword of Damocles, her face was gbast-
ly pale. She was of middle age, and Father
heshy for initiative work, but for all that
she was as nlmble as q fly and went through
the chairs III way that surprised the on
| lockers.
But she kicked when asked to remove
her false hair before taking the water
plunge. That was too much. The chief
shower told her how necessary it was. but
it made no difference to her, so they had to
duck her just as she was. When she came
to the surface she shook the water out of
her ears, took the usual precautions against
getting the cramps in the event Of her be-
ing ducked again, and then demanded an
apology from the chief shower That Of
ticial blandly informed her that there were
no provisions in the bylaws for apologies
during the initiation consequently she
would have to grin and bear it.
'Then I'LL quit right here, \ she said, in a
determined tone of voice.
" But surely you want to take the Snolly-
goster degree, = responded the chief showers
in a surprised tone of voice. 'fWithout that
you wouldn't be beneficial, you know,
The candidate rubbed her nose thought
fully, and after moments hesitation said
81 believe I've had enough. IF the duck
ing business isn't beneficial I believe L don't
want any more Of it, besides, some one
tlckled me just as was coming out of the
water, and I believe it was man"
MOL No! !" shouted score of voices.
mo men are allowed here. Perish the
thought
Nevertheless the candidate stuck to her
opinion, and it wasfnally decided to search
everyone present. This proceeding alarmed
the disguised male visitor, who FELT there
was bound to be an expose if he remained.
What to 90 was question. Discovery
would be dangerous, perhaps fatal. Final
ly happy thought struck him Just as
the searching process was about to begin he
suddenly gathered his skirts about him and
jumped on chair, at the same time shout.
ing: Lookout for the mouse r.
The rouse succeeded. Quicker than q
flash the members of the degree team
jumped on the chairs and tables while the
others jumped on top of the hat rack and
yelled fire and police. The candidate took
refuge on top of the water cooler, while the
chief shower swung from the chandelier
In the midst of the confusion the dis-
gulsed male intruder escaped by jumping
over the right supporter to the noble grand
clear through glass door into the hall
way, and thence into the open air where he