The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-10-05

riety.
The result of this was that, before
the year was over, Mr.. Crofutt's
jewelry answered a double purpose.
and his mind was terribly confused on
passwords and grips.
His scarf-pin bespoke him an An.
cient, and his fnger-ring showed he
Travelled as Builder; his sleeve but
tons bore mystic emblems, and his
watch-chain was decorated with society
charms.
After he had exhausted his iewelry
to prove the legality of his claims, lie
bought badges of other societies, which
he modestly concealed under the lapels
of his coat and waistcoat, where they
were ready for exhibition should he
wish to signal brother.
He no longer shook hands as before
he became society man. On being
introduced to a stranger, he ran the
whole mystic gamut over his hand and
arm, till he struck the right key and
found in the stranger brother whom
he at once proceeded to treat as if long
lost but ever loved.
All these societies made great de-
mands on Mr.. Crofutt's time and
means, and as soon as it became
known that he had liking for secret
societies, he was beset by the advo-
Gates of open organizations, and to
maintain his popularity, hewas forced
to join every one Of them.
So, after time, his office and bed
room were covered with handsomely
framed certificates of membership,
many of them representing antagonis-
tic societies.
One of them showed he was full
member of "The Jolly Larks," and
another that he was an honorary men,
ber Of the "Anti-Liquor License
Brotherhood" Another showed him
a life member of Busters Brass
Band" and beside it was a certificate
showing he had paid his annual dues
to ''The Malay Mission Fund"
Everything went well for awhile,
save an occasional jealousy ON the part
OF some society that thought Mr.. Gro
futt had not treated it as literally as
he had some others not nearly so de-
serving, and the fact that in the
speeches which he was often called on
to make he confused the audience and
himself by mixing up the Jolly Larks
and the Brass Band with the Malay
Mission and the Sunday Union
During all this time Mr.. Crofutt
tried to practice his profession, and
he had more cases than formerly, but
they we're not of satisfactory or a
paying kind. His clients were always
brothers, and as such he had often to
work for "the good of the order" for
promissory fees, and oftener for moth
ing.
He might have borne all this calm
ly, for he was a man of great patience,
but, unfortunately, while aiding the
brother of one society on the one hand,
he found himself opposing the brother
of some other society on the other
hand. and SO laying himself open, un-
der the rules of the order, to the
charge of violating his obligation.
So matters went on till Mr.. Van
Buren, Crofutt was thirty years of age,
and became one of the best-known men
in his county and well-known man
in the State.
He had run nearly through with his
inheritance, and his professional bust
ness being sacrificed to his desire for
popularity, he was not making money.
But he was cool, far-seeing man,
working out his career by rules he had
weighed and approved. The reward
would come for the waiting; he had
helped everybody, from what seemed
the most unselfish motives, and when
the proper time came he was sure
everybody would stand by him. He
not only felt this to be the case, but
he had been so informed again and
again, by his brothers and fellow
members, all of whom seemed anxious
toshow their appreciation of his ability
and devotion.
While Mr.. Van Buren Crofutt thus
sought the society of men, it must not
be supposed that he neglected the So
ciety of women; on the contrary, he
was great and respectful admirer oil
the fair sex. But he never allowed his
admiration to get the better of his
prudence.
At all the dinners and banquets he
was chosen to respond TO that very
charming and familiar toast. "Ths
women-God bless themr' and from
long practice he got to do it with i'm.
mense credit to himself and great sat
isfaction OF his audiences.
If Mr.. Crofutt kept clear Of the en-
tanglements Of love, it must not bt
supposed that he gave no thought tc