The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1918-02-14


It required to her mind. later that
evening, when she happened to find
herself alone with Sam In the library.
and. in merest idle curiosity, she
asked:
"Sam, what does In-Or-In' mean?"
Sam. bending over an arithmetic, I'M
creased his brow till 1t became OF q
blank and marble smoOthnesS.
"Ma'am?"
"What are those words on your
flag"
Sam gave. her a long, cold, mystic
look, rose to his feet, and left the
room with emphasis and dignity. For
moment she was puzzled. But Sans
older brother was this year completing
his education at Il university, and Mrs.
Williams was not altogether ignorant
Of the obligations of secrecy imposed
upon some brotherhoods; so she was
able to comprehend Sans silent with
drawal, and, instead Of sunmonin:
him back for further questions, she
waited uptil he was out of hearing and
then began to laugh.
Sans action was in obedience to one
Of the rules adopted, at his own sug-
gestion, as law of the order. PenrOd
advocated it warmly. From Margaret
he had heard accounts Of her friends
in college and thus had learned much
that ought to be done. On the other
hand, Herman subscribed to it with re-
lEctance. expressing a decided opinion
that if he and Verman We're questioned
upon the matter at home and adopted
the line Of conduct required by the
depart not only from the room in
which the questioning took place but
from the house, and hurriedly at that.
AN stay away" he concluded.
verman. being tongue-tied-not with
out advantage in this case, and surely
IN ideal qualification for membership
was not so apprehensive. He voted
with Sam and Penrod, carrying the
day.
New rules were adopted at every
meeting (thOugh 1t cannot be said that
all Of them were practicable) for. In
addition to the Information possessed
by Sam and PenrOd, Herman and Yer
man had many ideas of their own,
founded upon remarks overheard at
home. Both their parents belonged to
secret orders. their father to the In
napenent 'Nevolent lodge $50 stated by
Herman) and their mother to the Or
der of White Doves.
From these ard other sources, Pen
rod found no difficulty in compiling
| material for what came to be known
rs the ''rixual;" AMI it was the ritual
he was reading to the members when
Mrs. Williams happened to observe
the ceremonial raising Of the emblem
Of the order.
The ritual contained the oath, key
to the secret language. or code (de-
vised by Penrod for use in uncertain
emerSencies), and passwords for adj
! mission TO the shack. also instructions
| for recognizing brother member III
| the dark, and a rather alarming sketch
| of the things to be done during the
initiation Of candidate.
| This last was empl"rc1 for the benz
| fit Of Master Rodo:ir'1 Macswcrtf
Eitfs, Jr.. On the Saturday following
tho flac-raising. He presented himSei1
IN Sans yard. not for initiation, in
dcsd-having no previous knowledge
Of the Society of the In-Or-In-but 70!
general purposes Of sport and pastime
At first sight of the shack he expressed
articipations Of pleasure. adding some
suggestions for improving the archi
tectr:al effect. Bein. prevented. how
n.-o-, from entering. and even from
standing In the vicinity Of the sacret
building. he plaintively demanded al
explanation: whereupon he was com
manded to withdraw to the front yar'
for time, and the members held meet
ing in the shack. Roddy was elected
and consented to undergo the initia
| ton.
He was not the only new membe
that day. A short time after Rodd
had been taken into the shack for tn
reading Of the ritual and other cere
monies. little Maurice Levy entered tn
Williams gate and strolled round
the backyard looking for Sam. He wa
surprised and delighted to behold tn
! promising shack. and, like Roddy. eI
tertained fair hopes for the future.
The door Of the shack was closed
a board covered the window. but
, nlurmur Of voices came from within
Maurice stole close and listened
Through a crack he could see the flicl
er Of a candle-flame. and he heard til
voice Of PenrOd SchOfield:
i "Roddy Bits. do you solemn
swearT'
swell, all right" said the voice {
Roddy, somewhat breathless.
II "How many fingers you see befol
your eyes?"
Cant see any," Roddy returned
"How could !. with this thing over m
eyes, and laying down on my stun
mick. anyway"
Then the time has come" Penro
announced In solemn tones. The tin
has come"