Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1899-07-05
TOO MANY DEGREES.

blue, as though she had just got her
washing out, went into the Office Of
prominent Mason few mornings 81 ce,
and took chair. She said:
care you the Boes Mason?'
He blushed, told her he was Mason.
but not The highest in the land.
She asked Kim If he had taken'the
whole. 239 degrees in Masonry.
The man assured her that there were
only thirty-three degrees and that they
had only been taken by very few who
were recommended by the Grand Lodge
and they had TO go to New York to get
the ihiriy-third degree. The lady
studied . minute, and said:
"Where does my husband get the
cther two hundred degreesi"
The prominent Mason said he guess
ed her husband never got two hundred
degrees, unless he had degree factory.
he said be didn't understand the lady.
"DOes my husband have to set up
with ascorpSe three nights in week -
she asked, her eyes flashing fire. "Do
you keep lot Of sick Masons on tap
for my husband to set up with the
other three nightsi"
The prominent Mason Haid he was
thankful that few MAsons died, and only
occasionally one was sick enough TO
call for Masonic assistance. "But why
do you ask these questions, madam
said the prominent Mason.
The woman picked the fringe Of her
shawl, hung her head down, and said:
swell my husband begun to join the
Masons about two years ago, and he
has bsen taking degrees or sitting upI
with people ever since, and he comes
home at al times Of The night, smell
ing Of beer and cheese. I thought at
first tAst tho chs SC Ssa s4 ao 6 ssf e. Of
~ brother Masons home aTsv. ~ -
been found in the river. He has come
twice with the wrong pair OF drawers
on, and when 1 asked him how it was,
he said it was q secret he could not re-
veal under penalty Of being shot with
cannon. All he would say was he took
o degree. have kept little track OF
it, and I figure that he has taken 1881
degrees, including the grand Sky FugleI
degree, which he took Ibe night he
took the night he came hcme vii h his
lip cut and his ear hanging by a piece
=
of skin" 3-2 81
"Ob, madam" saidzthe prominent
Mason, "therc is no Sky Fugle degree
in Masonry; your husband has lied to-
you" I'D ft-. 81
"Thats what ] think" said she as a
baleful Hghtappeared in her eye. "He
said he was taking the Sky Fugle de-
gree and fell through the skyo light 1
had him sewed up and be was ready
for more degrees. AfterhelEad taken,
I should think, about hundred and
fifty degrees, ] told him I should think
te would let up on it, and put some
potatoes in the cellar for winter; but
he said when . man got started on the
degrees he had TO take them sll, or he
didn't amount to anything. One time
I wanted a hat to wear to church with
a feather in it, and he said feathers
we're all nonsense, and next day he
brought home leather case with q lelt
eoal-skuttle in it, and feather on it
that couldn't have cost less- than ten
dollars, the way I figured millinery.
And when he put it on and laughed
at his ridiculous appearance, he be. an
to throw his arms around, and l asked
what was the matter, and he sid 1t
was the first hailing sign OF distress,
and If l didn't look out an avenger
would appear from dark closet and
run a load-sticksr through me for .
scoffer. He mn st have II enta fortune
on the hundred and Fifty degrees. One
morning he came home with his coat
tail splitright up the back, and his pants
| torn just as though dog bad chewed
| him. and one eye closed up. and wad
| of hair pulled right ont Of his head,
! and he said he had been taking the
2Ooth degree. but he wouldn't tell me
how il happened, because it wssa dead
secret. Sometimes q brother Mason
comes home with him early in the
morning, and they talk about 'full-
| flush, and they both act full Is they