The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-23
A SHRINE BLOGRA HY.

The members of AImas Temple, \. \.
| o. y. VI. S. many of whom are acquaint-
ed with Chief Rabban James McGarvey.
of Lu Lu Temple of Philadelphia, will be
much interested in a cheerful sketch of
him recently psblished in a Lu Lu cir
cular. The plain, much vanished tale
follows:
When Noble James McGarvey was in
troduced to this cold, unfeeIing world
there was nothing about him to indi-
cate whether or not he possessed many,
IL any. religious sentiments, or that his
future would ever be radiant with the
red paint of praise and fattering com
mendation which now daily lights up his
path as a grown-up man Of strict honor
and undoubted integrity. On the contrary.
he had rather a belligerent and know
nothing appearance, and was without a
cent in his pocket. In good time Noble
McGarvey 'gummed' himself out of IN
iettered infancy into a lively boyhood,
and thence to the polished shoes, tall
hat. high collar. and switch cane of young
manhood, reaching, after no inconsider-
aDle application OF the push which Dame
Nature had endowed him with, the golden
years of discretion and valor. to find
hosts Of friends at his command and
bank account quite pleasant to look upon.
Jimmie is a dandy.
Fidelity to his friends Is one of the
paramount virtues which distinguishes
him from the general rank and file of
mankind. When he climbs out of his
bandbox in the morning he is cleanIy
shaved, carefully grOomed and ready to
see company N fact, he never allows
himself 10 be otherwise. The press OF
business, his Masonic duties and his de-
votion to the Order of the Mystic Shrine
preclude any successful attempt to find
opportunity to sacrifice himself to the
Establishments OF even the most charm
ing or the other sex. so he is still nice
sweet little bachelor When oriental
guide of Lu La Temple he performed his
duty letter perfect. For this reason the
nobility seated him in the chair of the
assistant rabban, where he quietly dozed
the time away, and subsequently was
elected chief, which Office he now holds
with distinction and pride. From this
vantage ground he submits to his tuf-
baned constituency many wise aui CATE
fully studied suggestions. the acceptance
and adoption of which have made him
popular. and added materially to the es-
TEEN which is manifested by his fraters
at Masonic Temple. The dignity OF his
department, which was shown when mas
ter of his lodge and high priest of his
chapter, is never compromised by the
geniality of his disposition. Although he
talks but few languages, he can mako
himself easily understood when ne gets
warmed up on any important subject. He
is charitable in every meaning If the
word. generous hearted, is shy of all
mixed libations, and as square brick.
The dominant virtues which have sue
cessfully carried him through quite a
number of the annual sessions OF the
Imperial Council will be put through a
similar test at San Francisco, AMI his
numerous friends arc not worrying over
the result. These traits are now in care
full training. Jimmie has a fondness for
the drama and the tinseled glitter of tho
stage, and yet he is somewhat crooked
in his Shakespeare. This is by no means
to his detriment, and when he OCCASION
ally mixes the melancholy Prince with
Shylock and credits Polonius with the
Thanatopsis. he falls in with those who
have studied more, possibly. ard know
less. AS n reliable historian he can give
an interesting lecture on the landing Of
William Penn and his subsequent pur-
chase of what now constitutes about one
half OF the city of Philadelphia. for three
eel skins and a pouch of tobacco, bring
ing to the imaginative eye of his hvpno-
tiZed audience a stirring vision of PENIS
capture and death at the stake in Con-
shohocken. Noble McGarvey is not
procrastinator. He is always first to hear
and obey when the dinner bell rings. and
leaves nothing untasted. By SO doing he
has won The respect of his landlady, who
gives him the Thanksgiving wishbone,
and a pair of worsted slippers on Christ
mas. Nothing can be said of the chief
rabban of Lu Lu Temple that is not OF
the very best and that will stand the
test of years. He wears WELL is of a
diplomatic turn. never makes faces to his
superiors in office. keeps early hours and
is as reliable as the Xinoppee of Kassala
in the matter of borrowing umbrellas.
Mac is all right"