Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-05-02
SHRINERS TAKE A BATH.
One Hundred Mobiles Have a Big Time In n
Turkish Bathing House.

Turkish Bathing House.
New York, May 1.-The most re-
markable function in the history of the
Kismet Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine
took place, when 100 members OF the
Mecca Temple, Invested of all but their
dignity, assembled in a Turkish bath
ing establishment on West Forty-sec-
ond street as the guest of August Fink
and Charles f. Hotmer, two of their
members. Some one remarked that it
was the most complete expose ever
made of that most secret organization,
but he paid dearly for the joke before
the night was over.
The 100 at 8 O'Clock were tuning in
an atmosphere of 100 degrees. with
many OF the terrors of the night still
before them. Messrs. Fink and Hotmer
and select committee had planned
many pleasant surprises that kept the
Shriners guessing. One man. a candi-
date for the order, not being so har-
dened, tried TO back out.
There were men of all occupations
and of all sizes and shapes in that as
semblage, and as they sat grouped
around in the hot-room. with the per-
spiration pouring from them. the word
was passed around that Mecca Temple
would he 500 pounds lighter in the
morning.
At first it looked as though the COM
pany were strangers. but it finally de-
veloped that they did not recognize one
another in undress. Finally they be-
gan TO have flashes Of memory and rec
ignition and then came explosive sa-
utations of Hello, Peters, Great
Scott, that's McGee," Charlie Bene-
dict. as I live!" which last was particu-
larry inappropriate. as Mr. Benedict is
an undertaken by profession, and buried
President Garfield.
lllustriOus Potentate Augustus w. Pc
ters. chairman OF the Consolidated Ex-
change, sachem Of Tammany Hall and
officer in the Old Guard smiled be-
nignly upon his fellow Shriners. and
TO show that he was still self-possessed
leaned gracefully against a rope that
had been stretched across the edge Of
the plunge. The pose was a good one.
and Ezra Marvin, the safe manufacture
err. followed his example. In two min
utes there were ranged along that rome
some twenty Shriners. all trying 10
look dignified while losing a pound a
minute. That was what James McGee
was locking for. A sharp knife and a
hasty cut across the rope did the bust
ness. There was an awful splash a
gurgle as of wine from a hundred bot
ties. and twenty Mystic Shriners were
striking out in the icy pool and shout
ing for life-preservers.
The three Fromme brothers and Drs.
f. j. Scarla5ous and E. r. Ellerson
plunged in and rescued a half dozen
spluttering ones. The rest walked
ashore and were revived with whisky.
cocktails and sandwiches. That little
incident broke the social ice. All then
went on merrily until one Shriner found
that he had sat down in the drawing
room on big linked stamp bearing a
huge crescent and the word Mecca. ;
Then il was discovered that all the set
tees had been similarly provided.
you see" explained the Entertain
ment" Committee. I'VE want to avoid
this failure OF recognition in the future.
That is why we provided indelible ink
with the stamps" An attendant was
hastily dispatched for sandpapAr In
stead he brought whisky and sand
witches. and when il was all over the
function was pronounced to be the mos,
successful one in the history of the or
der.