The sun., 1897-01-03
SAN JONEs,S INITIATION.
He Becomes n Knight Teupisr ssd Tells =
bible story with NnrIatisas.

RoME. Ca. Jan. IA few nights ago the Rev.
Sam p. Jones was initiated into the mysteries Of
knight Templar. A special train was sent to
Cartersville 20 convey him to this city, and he
entered the hall at the Masonic Temple dressed
In a grayish cavalry suit with n gray cap
perched on his Rrzzled head. He had very little
TO say to those who crested him at the entrance
OF the hall and looked as II no expected trouble.
or course. what transpired within the closed
doors wa not revealed TO the uninitiRted, but
many remarks were made by the outsiders con-
cerning the handling of the great exhorter by
the knights. who bad been excoriated so fire.
Quently by the sarcastic tongue OF the most
picturesque pulpit orator that Georgia has pro-
duced. About an hour and q half elapsed and
then the knights trooped into the banquet hall.
their swords jinglng and epaulets flashing In
the electric lights. the Rev. Sam Jones' In charge
Of Eminent Commander John J. Sesy, leading
the van. Tho assembled knights addressed
him! as "ZerubbAbel." As plain Sam Jonos,
he had entered the mystic portals with defiant
air and . smile Of mild SARCASM on his lips. He
emerged from tho ceremonial. cham ber with q
bedraggled look, his hair disheve,led, n sword
dangling at his heels, aud . qu!Zzlcal monkey
snd parrot smile playing about his features
The Most Eminent Grand Commander. Bill
Fleming Of Augusta, who succeeded Judge
Black as Congressman from Tom Watson's
Populistic domain. was on hand, and the Grand
Generalissimo. AL Walton, who has received
the honorary brevet o: Colonel since he left the
West and settled in Georgia, sat on the left of
Zerubbabel Jones, his expansive face beaming
with delight from the last notch OF his double
chin around to the nape OF his neck.
The banquet proceeded. and for half an hour
the Jingle of the knives and forks kept time TO
tho desultory conversation carried on among
the assembled knights, all OF whom cast furtive
glances from time to time In the direction of
Zerubbabel, as IL to assure them-elves that he
had not made his escape. At last the Eminent
Commander arose. and In the most approved
style called for n short talA from our newly
obligated irater."
ened himself, cast reproachtul glance over the
assemblage and setting his Jaws trnly. 6eaan
ON the beautiful tenets OF the great order OF
which he had been made member, he pro-
eseded TO tell story: suggested oy his recent
"When old Daniel refused to comply with tho
tm NTH o, drs nrs pSnssment ahere. old
feil"r, u you don't obey the orders OF the hing
w nf the old
that he had TO choose between going to hell u
he dda't do right and helng fiung into lions
ment, can tell you, but he didn't hesitate long.
lie told them that he was going TO do Just rs he
whether their old King liked It or not. SO they
yanked old Daniel up aud they took him to the
lion O utH, anu lDey lutO
over head, and they said. Now. old feiler,
we've settled with YOU.
hut Daniel was not dismayed, and soon
made himself at home among tho lions. Ho
gave them To understand that he was some lion
| himself, The lions finished gnawhg their bones
| and began to stretch themselves out for nap
| The old hs lion lay down in a nice clean place
and look ed at Daniel rs much us TO sRy. Here,
! Daniel you come lie down here and put your
! head ON my shaggy name for a pillow Daniel
did so, and tho lions soon fell asleep, and al was
| quiet and peaceable as Daniel lay there with his
| head plllOwed on tho lions name"
The audience sat breathless while the speak
| er's face assumed qulzzicAl look as II he was
| recalling his recent experiences.
| AS he lay there looking up toward the mouth
| OF the den old Daniel no doubt thought OF the
| choice he had made. and how lucky ho had
been in following tho dictates OF his own con-
science, and with a sigh OF satisfaction ho ex-
claimed;
| well, this heats helll'"
Tho roar OF applause that went mp from tho
| assembled knights shook the Temple. Tho BAN
| aueJ continued until the En- inent Commander
| reminded the jewellers that 1t was time to put
| the finishing touches Oh Zerubbabel, aud they
retired TO the inner chamber. Whistler the Rev.
| samuel Jones found IN tine rest or the exercises
some other things or not, nobody knows except
| possibly those who are bound under those blood
eprdlipg oaths " eternal secrecy