The record-union., 1898-06-08
HE JOINED THE MAsors.
And Once Certainly He Saved His
Railroad Fare

And Once Certainly He Saved His
Railroad Fare.
How Is it you don't have to pay any
fare?"- asked an unsophisticate<l youth
of a prominent employe in q railroad
Office in this city as the two came. in
from Dearborn on one uf the conn
pany's trains the other morning. The
boy from the farm had several times
noticed the railroad man on the train.
and always observed that the conduct
or nodded pleasantly, but never ask
ed him for ticket His pastoral Gu
riosity was aroused. and he decided
to learn why such apparent favors
were shown.
why, I'm a Mason" answered the
man who held a pass. in q confidential
manner.
"Gosh! It's a good thing to be
Mason. isn't it? Saves lots of fare.
eh? Wish / was one"
We'll, you seem to be a pretty de-
cent sort of fellow, anu don't mind
putting you on so that you will be able
to ride free, too,' said the railroad
man. ''Of course" he added, in an
undertone, Its against the rules of
Masonry to divulge the secrets, but I
guess you won't give me away"
The youth pledged his honor that he
would keep it secret till death.
"All right, then, the next time you
come in
Pm coming to Detroit tomorrow
morning." broke in the gulli5le indi-
vidual, his face radient with JOY.
That so? Well, when the conductor
asks you for your ticket, just raise
your right thumb to the shoulder, point
your thumb straight behind you and
wink the right eye slyly. He will pass
on" The tip was illustrated by the
JOKER and the victime practiced it all
the way into the city ami innunler;tbie
times after he arrived
The following morning the newly
made Mason was one OF the .irst TO
board the incoming train at Dearborn.
The man with the pass saw him. The
conductor was called to one stae and
put next"
Here's the fare for the cnap." said
the perpetrator of the joke. 80 you
will not get into trouble over it,"
When the train started the young
man occupied seat in The forward
coach, ana the railroad man sat in the
rear of the same car. Presently the
conductor shouted Tickets
The youth Strengthened up and pre-
pared himself. The man lii charge Of
the train was soon at the side OF the
Mason He held out his hand for
the fellows ticket. and up wenc the
latter's right arm like lever, and he
winked. The conductor turned abrupt
ly to a passenger across the aisle 10
10 fhn ilo hot No t,rc font
ures. The ..Mason's" bosom sxelled
with satisfaction. The man with the
pass drew his morning paper before
his face. and vainly endeavored to re-
press a burst of laughter.
In the evening the two took the tram
at the depot. This time the youth took
a seat near the door and his instruct
or" was at the other end of the car.
There was a different conductor on,
and the railroad man knew there would
be fun.
The ticket puncher asked the young
man for his transportation as soon as
he entered the coach. Again the arm
shot over his shoulder and he winked
as before.
Il want your ticket" rather pctu-
lently said the conductor.
The same tactics on the part Of the
Mason were gone through again. be
believing that the man of the punch
did not detect the sign"
What's the matter with you: are
you crazy?' angrily asked the train
man.
I'm a Mason" answered the youth,
and the passengers in the nearby seats
smiled audibly.
Il don't give a d-n what you are,
you'll pay your fare or set off this
train"
The office man was in a parOXySm of
laughter at the other end, but the con-
ductor's face was flushed with anger.
The youth had not a cent and he so
informed the man with the colored LAM
tern. There was a violent jerking of
the bell cord, and the tram came TO
sudden stop four miles frora Dear
born. The Mason" was assisted none
too gently, to the ties below and walk
ed the remainder of the distance to his
home, taking a short cut through the
fields.
The next evening he and the rail-
road man met on the street at Dear
born.
me-" sheepishly said the youth
Why, what's the matter?" asked the
man who had witnessed the very anus
ing incident the night before
THE conductor put me off the train
and had to walk four miles," ne an
SWered.
That's funny; what did YOU do?"
Il did you told me and it wen:
all right going in, but it wouldn't work
coming back; there was q new man
on
Are you sure you made no mis-
take?"
II did just the same both times; my
right arm and wink" ~
"Ah, now l see. You silly fellow,
you should have used your left arm
and left eye coming back. Then,
again, he might not have been a Ma
son."-Detroit Journal.
TYPICAL EGYPTIAN VILLAGE.