A Modern Morgan.

A MODERN MORGAN .

THE " Milwaukee Tidings" reprints the following episode which is vouched for by Past Master Leroy 0 . Whitney , formerly of Genesee Lodge , No . 174 , Flint , Mich . A member of the " Tyler " staff adds his avouo ' . nnent to the truth of the narrative , and adds a

little more to it which seems to be omitted here . He was a member of the above Lodge when the affair took place , and although the names here used are fictitious , the incident is truthful . It took place in 188 * 4 , and was published at the time . — " American Tyler . "

Elfen Duckberry was born , well , no matter where . It is enough for our presont purposes , which demand a hero , that he was born , and passing safely through the ills that environed him in infancy and youth , ho passed tho threshold of manhood and became an American citizen .

Duckberry is possessed of a fertile imagination , and loves to wander in tho fairy fields of romance . This peculiarity it was which led him to adopt the business of a life-insurance agent as the most congenial avocation for the winning of bread . As might bo suppjsed from the above description , our hero has a perfect

passion for tho mysterious . Legends of necromancers , masked bandits and mystic brotherhoods , bound by solemn compacts , with blood-curdling punishments for their infraction , possessed an indescribable charm for him , and he would linger delightedly over the graphic recitals of mystic rites by secret and blood-bound associations .

Therefore it was that Duckberry desired to be a Freemason . Ho read about them , made the acquaintance of thoso whom he met wearing upon their persons the emblems of their brotherhood , and endeavoured to extract from them something bearing upon the

ceremonials of the mystic craft . What he obtained only served to fire his imagination and excite his curiosity , until his desire to stand upon the ground floor , to penetrate the chamber , and kneel uncovered within tho sanctum sanctorum of the Order , clad with its insignia , and possessed of its hidden secrets , became a

. But how to accomplish it ? He must first knock as its door , subject himself to the scrutiny of the craft , and , if admitted , could only reach tho summit of his desires through long and patient effort , involving self-denial and some expense . Then , too , he might not be permitted to pass the threshold . Duckberry wished to reach the summit at a bound , and stand peer among his fellows . But ,

how ? Aye , that was the question ; and anxiously did he seek for its solution , closely watching the movements of the members of the craft , storing in his memory each word and gesture to be repeated to the next met . It was slow progress , and Duckberry was wellnigh discouraged , when one day he made a discovery which caused his pulses to bound and each individual nerve to tingle with pleasure .

He was in a railroad car , and the newsagent , in passing , threw a book upon his scat . It was that book which caused his joy ; for , upon opening it he discovered that it contained a full exposition of the secrets ol Masonry . The price oi the book was paid , and Duckberry , its happy owner , was soon perusing its priceless secrets . For weeks it was his constant companion . He learned its contents ,

and practiced the signs therein given before his mirror . He had fathomed the mystery and was now a full-fledged " knight-of-themysfcic-trowel . " Puffed with his new-born knowledge , he procured a badge , and fixing it prominently upon his breast , he boldly mingled with the craft , eager to make himself known as a Brother . For a time all went well , and Duckberry congratulated himself

upon his success . He knew little of the curious eyes bent upon him—of the suspicious glances and nods which were exchanged between members of the Craft when in his presence . Happy in his fancied success , Duckberry knew not that he had already been posted as a fraud , and that while he was meditating upon an actual visit to a Masonic Lodge , a fearful pit had been digged for his undoing .

In tho course of his travels he frequently visited Stoneton , a thriving city , containing many intelligent , enthusiastic , warmhearted members of the " Royal Craft , " upon some of whom Duckberry had sought to impose . They determined to inflict upon him a punishment adequate to his impudent temerity , and one which would effectually cure him of any further desire for stolen honours .

Duckberry had expressed a desire to visit the Lodge at Stoneton , and so a meeting was arranged for him . One afternoon he was approached by a Brother who invited him to a meeting that evening , informing him that there would be some fun on the boards after the Lodge closed . Hero was the desired opportunity , and Duckberry determined to embrace it . Accordingly he appeared

at the reception room at the hour , and as the Lodge was at labour he sent in his name , claming to hail from the neighbouring Lodge in the thriving city of Baytown . The name was announced and a committeo was sent out with instructions to apply the usual oath , but to require the applicant to tell his own story without question . This was done , and the committee retired to report , leaving

Duckberry in waiting . Upon receiving the report the Lodge was closed , the jewels and paraphernalia removed , and two muscular Brothers were sent to the ante-room to introduce Bro . Duckberry , upon whose face was observed a flush of conscious triumph as he was conducted to the centre of the Lodge , and formally introduced .

He gracefully acknowledged their welcome , but just at this time it occurred to him that there was not that degree of cordiality exhibited which he had expected . He was not asked to be seated , but instead the Master began to question him ; and he did not use the term " Brother . " He was asked if he belonged to Baytown Lodge , how long he' had been a member , the name of its Master

A Modern Morgan.

etc . Duckberry had posted himself on these points , and answered without hesitation that he had been a Mason about a year , and was made in Baytown Lodge , Bro . Backford Master . At this a Brother arose and exclaimed : — " Why , Bro . Backford is here this evening . I saw his name on the hotel register , and if I may be excused I think I can find him . "

" Is that so ? " said another . " He is an old friend , and I know ho will come with me . Then he can vouch for the visitor , with whom our committee is not wholly satisfied . " The Brothers were excused and retired . The utmost gravity prevailed , and Duckberry was still standing in the centre of the room . It began to dawn on him that he was in a serious

predicament . It was evident that his assertions were doubted , and if Backford should appear , he would tit once be announced as an impostor . The thought caused large beads of perspiration to stand out on his forehead . He glanced around the room , but found no encouragement there . The men who surrounded him wore an air

of gravity and suspicion . Duckberry ' s knees smote together , and he resolved to make a clean breast of tho matter and " throw himself on the mercy of the court . " He asked if ho might be heard . The request was granted ; he then and there acknowledged all .

During the recital of his story the Craft had gathered around him , and at its close he was in the centre of a solid circle of stalwart men with lowering brows and fiery eyes . The first to break the silence was an aged Brother who advanced and said : " Mr . Duckberry , my only sentiment toward you is that of

profound pity that so young a man and one so intelligent , should have voluntarily thrown his life away . " And he stepped back , sighing deeply . Duckberry caught his breath and glanced wildly around , his gaze resting on the Master , who came forward , facing him , and said :

"Mr . Duckberry , this is the third instance of this kind I have known in my life . Two of those men still live , but terribly maimed—crippled for life . But your case is so aggravated that I cannot promise you even that . You think you are in a Masonic Lodge , but you are not . You were known to be an impostor , and the Lodge was closed before you were admitted . You havo confessed and promised amendment , and I will try to save you , but am fearful that I cannot . You had better be prepared for the

worst . During this address the Craft had divided into knots , talking low , and casting murderous glances at Duckberry , who was as pale as a corpse , trembling in every limb , and the picture of abject fear . Soon a howl was raised , a rope produced , and a rush made for tho victim . Some of the Craft attempted to protect him , and a melee

ensued , in the midst of which was Duckberry , now on his knees , praying , crying , bellowing , and begging in the most pathetic terms for his poor life . Despairing of this , he requested that he might be shot instead of hanged . In the midst of the terrific mock battle ( which was terribly realistic to the Duckberry ) the Master whispered in his ear than when he should receive his coat and hat

he must make a rush for the door and escape , but at this moment the crowd opened , and without waiting for his clothing , Duckberry made a rush for the door and liberty . Amid many buffetings he reached the outer door only to find it locked , and a crowd of howling , blood-thirsty men at his heels . Here another indescribable scene occurred . A stalwart Brother , clasping the howling ,

praying , bellowing victim around the neck , swore that he would protect him with his own life , and very considerately lifted and seated him out of harm ' s way , on top of a hot stove . He was not made aware of his mistake until the poor fellow ' s shrieks and a ' strong smell of woolen ascended to the ceiling in company . At this instant the door was opened , and wrenching loose by a violent

effort , poor Duckberry rushed out . There were three laudings , and each one was taken at a flying leap , utterly regardless of the steps between . On the last he was aided by a kick , and struck at the foot , sitting bolt upright with his head nearly driven between his shoulders . With a heavy groan he arose to his feet and limped into the street , hatless and coatless , on a bitter cold night , only to find himself in the hands of a policeman .

Recovering somewhat , Duckberry pointed towards the lights and asked the policeman , in tones yet tremulous from fear , exertion and pain , what kind of people thoso were up there . " Those , " said the night guirdian with a solemn and mysterious air , "You haven't been there , have you ? Well , you are fortunate to get out at all . " Lowering his voice to a confidential tone , he continued : " They ' re a hard set . Many a man has been known to go up there and never seen to come down . "

Kindly thanking the Officer , Duckberry limped away , fully convinced that he had barely escaped with life , and vowing that he would never play Mason any more . He was chastened and humbled , and for several weeKs he lost all appetite for mysteries . He disposed of his badge , and even rejected hash and mince pie at his boarding house , because they smacked of mystery . But with time , this antipathy faded .

Duckberry is still travelling , and has so far recovered from his fright that he occasionally attempts to impose upon credulous mombers of the craft , thus evincing that the old passion has still a strong hold—but no more Lodge visits with Masons . Duckberry don't like their home customs . Their attentions are too pressing by half .

To the foregoing may be added the fact that the party designated as Duckberry had tried the same game at Lansing previous to " being tried" in Flint , but without success , and the boys in Lansing learning that he was on his way to Flint , put the boys in the latter place " on " with the above result . But Duckberry was bound to be a Mason , and it is stated that he finally succeeded in obtaining the degrees legitimately and made a good Mason . The ** Scottish Freemason" has been started as a monthly publication at one penny , published at Ayr .