Year: 1864

ORIGIN OF THE GRIDIRoN IN MAKING
FnEEMAsoNs.-Noel contributes the follow
ing to the National Freensas0n: In years
gone by, say forty or more, there lived in the
city of Gotham, Il jolly good host whose
physical man betokened he was no idle work
man at seasons of refreshment, and his full
form denoted that good humor and relish
for Jokes whetted his appetite for bibibles as
we'll as catabules. This jolly good host was
Freemason, and his hotel was a resort for
the members Of the Graft to while away
their leisure time, where they were received
with smiling welcome, and their indulgen-
ces seasoned with happy jest or lively an
ecdote. Among the members OF the lodge to
which our good host was attached, was one,
q tailor by profession, who fully equaled HIM
in pranks and jokes, and when they met
some mischief was sure to be connected,
some plan devised for merriment at some
ones expense. Among the inmates OF the
hotel was very worthy young man, me-
chanic, employed in the neighborhood, board
ing tn, re for convenience. This young man
had desire to learn the mysteries OF Free
masonry, and requested the landlord TO ad-
wise him the course to pursue, to which he
readily agreed, as the young man was every
way worthy to become member Of the Fra
ternity. The application was made, and



initiation, he concluded to make his debut
in the lodge in new outfit, and he engaged
4 new suit from our jolly good tailor, TO be
finished OIL the night of his initiation. The
tailor being cuguizlnt of his customers ap-
plicati0n to be made Mason, and diyining
the purpose for which the suit of clothes
was ordered, he at the suggestion Of the
host, devised plan for some sport on the
occasion. The worthy hosts wife, 1t was
known, had some curious views concerning
the mystic order, and believed it was not al
together for beneficial or charitable purposes
the Masons met in their lodges. The tailor
prepared piece Of cloth, and scorched it IN
stripes as it had been burnt in a gridiron,
this he neatly pasted on the seat OF the
pantaloons. The clothes arrived in due
time, and soon encased the physical man Of
the candidate for initiation. He presented
himself before the host before going to tho
lodge, who, in the presence Of his better
half, appearing to admire very much the
new suit, and, Inspecting the lower part OF
his coat, he remarked, show very consider
ate" loud enough for his spouse to hear, and
then left the house accompanied by the can
didate. The next day the clothing was
closely examined, and before the close Of the
week there were few of the lady acquaint-
ances, whose husbands were known to be Ma
sons, who did not see those pantaloons. IL
must not be supposed there were no secret
conversations in relation TO making Masons
after retiring at night between the good host
and his better half. She, good soul, serious
and moralizing. He unable to contain his
laughter, and striving to prevent giving Of
fence. The circumstance gave occasion for
much talk among the good wives in the
| neighborhood. In due time the piece Of
cloth which had created no little excitement
was removed, and the young man remained
in ignorance Of the practical joke, the sub
ject being Of delicate nature, could not be
communicated to him by those who believed
him to have been the victim Of some cruel
ceremony. 1t was this circumstance which
gave such extensive currency to the belief
that heated gridiron was necessary imple-
ment in masonic initiation.