The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-22
VARIETY IN An INITIATION
/ Candidate Surprises the Most Sublime
Thingumbob and Others.

From Tie Chicago Tribune.
The last Of the candidates TO be initiated
that particular evening into the Ancient and Spec
tacular order Of Nocturnal HOwlcrs was bony,
altitudinous man Of large hands and resolute jaw.
lie had been induced to send in an application for
membership ON the assurance Of personal
friend that the name Of the order was simply
disguise designed To conceal the really fraternal
and benevolent purposes OF the organization, and
that the initiatory ceremonies were, in the main,
like those Of any other secret society Of good rcputc
lie was in the ante-room. His coat and vest,
if il is permissible still in circles Of comparative
responsibility To call it vest had been removed,
and he was blindfolded. A conductor stood on
each side of him. holding him by the elbow.
one Of these conductors knocked at the inner
door .,.--,. ,.,.., ..,-,-,,
"a mortal" was the reply, who desires to be
initiated into the mysteries OF our high and noble
This, apparently, was repeated to some high
and noble officer, who gave the command
Admit him
The door was thrown Open and the candidate
was ushcrcd inside and led about halfway around
the room
mortal, think well before thou scckest to pcne
trate the hidden mysteries known only To the
chosen few VINO are deemed worthy to become
members of this fraternity. II is not too late yet
TO withdraw. Art thou ready for the ordeal?
- think am. responded the candidate.
the presence OF the Most lllustrous Vice Begler-
beg repeat there is yet time 10 escape Know
ing this, art thou still Of a mind to proceed"
Then let the monocotylcdonous baroscope ad
vance"
beg" the candidate was proceeding to say, "but
this unheard of mingling OF botany and atnos-
pheriC measurements is rrcssubly comical TO
"Silcncel" Numbered the voice &c, the pen
atty Tor his presumption be visited upon him
about his ankles and tied Stalwart hands then
lifted him up, stretched him al full length upon
handcart, and, in this Conveyance he was run
rapidly around the hall two or three times over
what seemed to he corduroy railway.
Then he was placed upon his feet again, the
presence Of the Most Sublime Bcglerbeg
'Prcsumptuous mortal" said that funconary
in an awful voice before administering the
solemn obligation that awaits you II is my duty
To subject you To u test through which all must
pass before entering the inner sanctuary Of our
order You will be- required to communicate at
once TO the brethren, who stand grouped around
you. some fact hitherto unknown TO the world at
large some fact that has never been published
"NIust Sublime Bcglerbcg" said the candidate,
81 obey The he Sqp"TGteGdien' Of Srn i} of Chi
"DO you know that to be a fact" sternly asked
the Most Sublime lteglcrbeg,
"it is well You have passed that test, Your
name, murtal?"
Civilians"
Full name"
Henry NJ. Civilians"
Occupation"
g! think you may put me down as lawyer"
Brethren" exclaimed the Most Sublime, in
voice OF thunder. put him up
suddenly the candidate was pushed backward
He fell into a blanket held in roadiness behind
him by dozen pairs Of strong hands, and imme
dietely was tossed high in the air
Again and again he was put up in the same
emphatic manner his feet more than once striking
the ceiling Of the hail
As he came down from one Of these hasty in
cursi"ns into the upper, atmosphere he lit on his
ewes. boundcd out Of thc blanket knocked one
of the blanket tussers down with blow from
his buny fist and before any one could stop him
he had place, his back to the val! wall -
has come to AN end :" far as am concerned
And now, he added, rapidly drawing from con
ccacd pocket in his arnpit a small weapon look
ing like pistol, # am going to do little initiating
myself"
He discharged his weapon full in the face Of
the first man who approached him, and his assa
ant fell back, gaSpng and choking
Another and another came at him, with the
anne result
Then. with n leap he reached the door seized
the inner guard by the collar threw him ten feet
away, and bounded into the anteroom
through that apartment, he swept the guardian
of the outer door out Of his way with wave Of
Turning fora moment from this vantage ground
he addressed the membership, holding the brethren
Al nav ny grSturlng calmly with the hand That
held the small but terrible weapon.
20" on with your horScplav, gentlemen" he
said Put un one Of tn" other victims again
Young man. II YOU come a step nearer I'll give
you double dose nf hay fever Make my com
plimcnts to the Most Sublime Thingumbob and
the Most llustrious Vice ThinEumbub gentle
men. and tell them the performance hasn't half
the originality Of an ordinary college hazing
and am rather ashamed "f the part took in it
Putting his clothes as he descended the
stairway he muttercd to himself
There's nothing like an ammonia gun, though.
for introducing variety into initiation"