Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-11-05
KNIGHTS OF pYrHIAs.
The Mexico Members Enjoy a Most
Delightful Banquet.

Correspondence OF theLedger.
MEXICO, Mo-, Oct. 30 Authentic
history tells us that, in the little Isle
Of Sicily, four hundred years before
Christ, there lived tyrant ruler
named Dionysius. At the same time
there lived those who loved their fell
lows dearer than life itself For
political heresy one, Pythias, was ar
rested and speedily sentenced to death.
He, Spartan like, was ready to face
the grim monster, death, but asked
the poor boon OF few hours respite In
which to see his family add arrange
for his execution Unless hostage
was furnished this was impossible. A
ransom in the person OF Damon was at
hand; The forfeit, his life, was put up
against the return Of Pythlas at the
appointed time to be put to death.
Time sped speedily the hour Of ex-
ecution was at hand, and Damon was
being placed under the gulliotine. But
hold, here comes the brave Pythias,
and begs to take the place Of him who
offered his life for that OF his friend,
Damon.
mo-" says Damon; "you have a
large family dependent upon you; 1
will appease the wrath OF the tyrant
with my life.
The attention OF the ruler Dlonysius
was called TO this unheard OF propo-
sition-how one man was ready, yea,
anxious, to offer himself as sacrifice,
and not only released and pardoned
Pythias, but asked that he, too, might
join their compact of friendship. That
principle has lived from the founda-
tion of the world. Heroes and leroines
are not unknown even till now. Upon
this beautiful lesson Is the noble Or
der Of Knights of Pythias founded.
Major Rathbone, clerk In depart
ment at Washington, was the founder
OF the first organization mentioned,
which was launched upon the seas OF
fraternalism February, 1864. From
that humble beginning, founded upon
the great, undying principle of "fath-
erhood of God and the brotherhood
Of man." 1t has become the third
largest exclusively fraternal order in
the western world, having, January !,
1902, $40, 1873 members.
The local branch OF this order,
Ecledean Lodge, gave most delight
full banquet last night and 1t was
your scribe's pleasant privilege to be
present. Mine host Halsey Mathews
and his handsome wife, Of the Hotel
Windsor, did themselves proud upon
the spread, and that superb toast
master, Sir Knight Victor Victor,
was as much at home in that role as
he is in his place of business. To
speak of the responses in detail would
be invidious and cause your blue pen
Gil to slide across the whole of this
epistle; hence l will only say, parenS
thetically, that it was feast OF rea-
son, as well as feast Of oysters and
its concomitants. Hon. Howard Bick-
ley led off in appropriate and instruc-
tive remarks; followed by Sir Knight
Worrell, who proved himself to be a
talker from Talking town, as we'll as a
business man. Sir knight A. B. Smith
is at home when speaking, either In
business, church or fraternal society,
and last night responded to the
"saccherinest" topic of all: sour
Wives, Our Sweethearts, Our Moth
ers." The banqueters were regaled
with vocal music from blonde ~
''man and brother,n assisted by two
"prof'' of color. Altogether, Mr..
Editor, it was good to be there, and SO
said the lovely women, who, as wives,
sweethearts and mothers, were in at
tendance.
Long may this and kindred organi-
zations engaged in alleviating human
misery and spreading happiness and
sunshine among the children of menl
be fostered and propagated. Let the
milk of human kindness continue to
flow as long as one human being needs
the sympathy and cooperative help Of
another. We are our brothers keeper
and in that broad, catholic and Christ
like imitation should these societies,
unostentatiously las they do) go forth
TO act out in real life, for and with
people now on earth, the great play Of
Damon and Pythias.
A. HUGHES,