The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1915-10-02
A REAL ANTIQUE.

The Teche Fair, which closed here
last week, had many very interesting
exhibits in all departments. but there
was a charm about many OF those
which were displayed in the depart
ment over which the ladies presided,
peculiarly their own. Many of these
exhibits recalled days long since gone
by. The tin candle mold suggests the
days Of homemade candles. The lit
tie spinning wheel. the cap and ball
revolver, the old powder flask, the
child's chair with it's rawhide bottom,
the newspaper of a century gone, were
all freighted with an interest of de
good ole times" But the prize win
ner was the Masonic apron which bore
the date of its handiwork, TIL
The history of the Scottish Rite apron
exhibited by Aurora Lodge. No. 1913,
F. &c A. M, at the Teche Fair for 1915,
as a work Of art and an antiquity, is
not as full and complete as could be
desired at this time. During the time
that the late Jos. II. Wise, several
times Master of Aurora Lodge and
High Priest of Girard- Hope No. 80,
Royal Arch Chapter, conducted the
leading dry goods and gents furnish,
ing establishment, then located at the
corner of Main and Bridge streets,
New Iberia, La. a man whose name
unfortunately is not now recalled,
came into the store and offered this
apron and collar for sale, for the pal
try sum of $500. A glance at the apron
and then recalling the price at which
- H~.ca IL kn1iu acc ouye uk1 cu fr y,oncf
eloquent terms. Mr. Albert DeBlanc,
now Of the "Globe" firm, was at that
time chief clerk in the Nv estab-
lishment. He was present when the
offer was made to Mr.. Wise and when
the latter accepted it.
After its purchase Mr.. Wise exhib-
tied il to many Of his Masonic breth-
rem. Among the number was Mr.. Gal
land, who became the Worshipful
Master Of Aurora Lodge in 1914 and
who is the present Financial Secretary
of the Masonic Temple Building.
Subsequent to the death OF Mr.. Wise
Mr.. Galliand called on the widow and
suggested the eminent propriety OF
donating this apron and collar to the
Lodge which had 80 repeatedly honor
ed him and which he SO highly es-
teemed. He suggested the propriety
of framing the articles under glass
and hanging them in the Lodge room,
where they would ever be valued as
one of the Lodges priceless treasures.
To all of this Mrs. Wise gave her APP
prevail and the idea vas carried out
to the last detail.
The following description of the
apron and collar but family conveys
an idea Of their great beauty OF design
and exquisite workmanship. The col
lar Is very suggestive of q large letter
v. and done in silver spangles, rep
resenting the 32nd Degree of Masonry
The part Of this letter V which went
over the right shoulder of the wearer
was beautifully embroidered to re-
present q serpent swallowing its tail
an emblem OF eternity. In the cent.
er Of the circle made by the serpent Is
q chalice. On the opposite prong OF
the v is embroidered a crown OF thorns
across which is represented a ribbon
banner bearing the letters: Il N. Il.
In At the base Of the Y is q recum-
bent lamb, beautifully done in white
spangles, surmounted by a cross OF
pretty design. and the whole enclosed
Dy = rl.nkle, "#oo. arrnard ths
STONES. 2 eeouu 49, .hosa cIoras
WnoIe anu lIo.n nl ~ eve IS i,aht
done in gold spangles. The balance
| of the collar is embelished with bran.
ches. or vines. in full foliage, done in
| gold spanRles and resting upon a field
OF pr. s s.ah.d n Nth ao,d sernent;ne
cora. 70
Oraiu.
The apron is of approved pattern
with the lower corners rounded. Iht
flap is fashioned along graceful line
and IN its upper center 70 caIriea . ~
angle 10 wnlcn 10 nDIoluGlI "a
year.. oOu '.~aar,a
late from all siaes o. inc ..Iisnkie
The lower eaRe OF me nap WAS nn;n
ca with neavy koIu lux. Jus