The Heroine Of Jericho.

THE HEROINE OF JERICHO .

From POMEROY ' S DEMOCKAT .

" npHE Lodge " is sometimes a source of jealousy and annoyance to JL the lady friends of Masons ; they complain that " Lodge night " takes their fathers , husbands , brothers and lovers from them , and thoy cannot see what they can find in those " tiresome Lodges " that is so interesting and captivating , and many aro tho strategems adopted to discover the " great secret" which they know must exist . Listenye fair daughters of Eve , and your curiosity shall be satisfied .

, The secret ia contained in those two simple yet sublime commands , " Love ye ono another , " " Do unto others as ye would that thoy should do unto you . " The head and front of our offending hath this extent—no more ; our institution is founded upon tho sentiments expressed therein , and the brother that is thoroughly imbued with tho principles contained in them cannot fail to fulfil all the duties of

life in each a way as to be a comfort and pleasure to his friends , a better citizen , and an honour to the Craft . Thero are a number of degrees known as " Adaptive Masonry , " ¦ which can be conferred ou the mothers , wives , daughters and sisters of Masons , by which they can make themselves known in their Masonic relationship to a well-informed brother ; by which they can

call for assistance in the hour of danger ; appeal for help in time of difficulty , and prove their right to Masonic aid , sympathy and kindness in the day of misfortune . The following incident will illustrate the beauties of the system : — A Mason ' s wife had often heard her husband and his friends speak of the degree of " The Heroine of Jericho , " but when asked if she

would take it , had ridiculed the idea of her being a Mason or that she would ever have occasion to use it , or that it would be of any benefit , no matter what situation she might bo placed in ; a Masonic Lodge was , in her opinion , only a cover to hide deviltry of some kind , but as time wore on and her hnsband became older in his Masonic life , she began to waver in her objections to Masonry . She closely watched

the class , character and conversation of the men it brought her husband in contact with , and she frequently heard , while they were in conversation on other subjects , such remarks as " how will such a course comport with our duties as Masons , " and she began to think that after all she might have been unjust in her estimation of Masonry , and another opportunity being offered her to take the

degree it was conferred upon her , when she lost no opportunity to become instructed in all its details , its requirements , and the manner of working it . Months rolled on to tho tomb of time . Life , in the main , was a pleasant dream to her , as her husband was wealthy , and she was surrounded with all the comforts of life . Summer came , and as

usnal she went to visit some friends iu Pennsylvania . On her return she had purchased a ticket to New York , and placed it in her portt monnaie with all tho money she had , returning it to her dress pocket . The train came to the station . She bade her friends farewell , and had taken her seat in the cars , thinking that a few hours would soon find her at home with her husband . The conductor came through to

take np the tickets , when , npon putting her hand into her pocket , the porte monnaie was missing . Whether she had dropped it or her pocket had been picked she could not tell , but she had neither ticket nor money , aud as telegraphic communication wasonly in its infancy , she could not communicate with her husband or friends . The conductor came to her , she told her story , who she was , where she came from ,

and where she was going . Ho merely replied , " that is an old song ; I will see you again . " When he had gone through tho train he returned . ' She repeated her story , when he said , " You appear to be a lady , but wo are so often deceived by appearances that I must enforce the rules . You must pay your fare or leave the train . Then for the first timo the thought of her Masonic degree flashed through

her mind , and she said , "I have often heard that most of the conductors are Masons ; are you ? He replied that there were quite a number of Masons on tho road , but he was not . She then asked him to let her go on to Philadelphia , to which he consented . On arriving at the city she left the train , called a hack , and was taken to one of the best hotels , registered her name and requested the clerk

to pay the hackman and send the proprietor of the hotel to her in the ladies' parlour . When he came sho asked him if he was a Masou . He replied he was not ; " but I have a porter in my employ who says he is . " She requested to see him ; upon his entering the parlour she said : " Are you a Mason , and have you taken the degree of Herione of Jericho ? " He replied , " I am a Mason , but have not

taken that degree ; but the Master of my Lodge has . " She asked , " Who is the Master ? " Ho gave the name of one of the leading merchants of the city , adding that his store was only a short distance off . The lady then said , " will you send word to him that a Mason ' s wife is iu trouble and would like to see him ? " Word was sent and tho Master came . Upon being introduced , she asked , " Are you a Sir

Knight of Jericho ? " Ho replied in the affirnative , when the lady said , "Prove me that I am a ' Heroine , ' and then I will tell you my story . " The proof was given , her story told ; viiou trie Master laughingly said : "Best easy ; the scarlet cordis au amulet that willprotect you . When do you wish togo ou ? " " By the first train , " she answered , " as my hnsband was to meet the train I started on ,

and he will be worried . " You caunot go before evening now ; so keep quiet and at the proper time I will return for you . " To the hotel people he said : " Send all bills for Mrs . — to me . She is a Mason ' s wife . " Evening came ; he called with a carriage and escorted the lady to the cars . Upon placing her in a seat he handed her a through ¦ ticket to New York , saying , " Take care of this one , but should any

accident occur you will find tho conductor on this train a Mason . He is a member of my Lodge . When you arrive at Jersey City he will procure a carriage to take you to your residence . I will introduce him to you so that for the balance of yonr journey you can feel that the scarlet cord , although invisible , is about you . Good bye , and a eafe journey to you . " Ou arriving at Jersey City the conductor called

The Heroine Of Jericho.

a hack , placed her in it , bade her good night and in a short time she was at home , when , to her surprise , upon requesting the hackman to wait for his fare , ho replied : You are a brother ' s wife in trouble . My orders were given me before I left Jersey City . Good night !" She found her husband at home , worried and wondering why she had not come on the train appointed . She laughingly told her story and her

experience as a " Herione of Jericho , " saying : " I havo now realized tho strength of the bond that binds you Masons together , and of the invisible shield which you throw around your wives and families . May God over bless the Masonic fraternity . " The next day her husband wrote to the Master , thanking him for his kindness , inviting him to call on him when he came to New York , and inclosing a blank

check for him to fill up for the amount he had expended in his wife ' s behalf . In duo time an answer was returned , sending back the check , saying : " I do not do business in that way in Masonry , but I will see you shortly . " In about a month the Philadel phian went to New York , called on his Masonic brother , was heartily welcomed and at once taken to his residence , where the lady welcomed him with smiles

In the course of conversation on business topics , tho Philadelphian remarked that his errand to New York waa to purchase a quantity of silk of a peculiar variety , but that he was fearful of being deceived , as ho was not conversant with the article . The New Yorker said " Goodj it is my turn now to do you a kindness . I am not in that line of trade now , but was at one time , and have the name of being an

expert , and my knowledge is as your disposal . " The goods were bought , and the brother about to leave for home , when the New Yorker said : " Come , let mo return to you the amount you expended for my wife ? " The Master said : " No ; I never take anything back I spent in Masonry ; but if you desire to repay the money , give it in my name to some Masonic brother or family you may learn are in want , but , as far as I am personally concerned , I think it the best

investment I ever made , for it has made me your acquaintance , and the knowledge I have obtained from you regarding the goods I have bought , and the reduced price you enabled me to purchase them at , has repaid me a hundredfold the small sum I expended for your wife . Say no more about it , but let there bo a bond of friendshi p between our families . " A bond was formed that was never broken until a few short months ago , when the sister was called from life to eternity . J . 0 . W .

The Drama.

THE DRAMA .

A Scrap of Paper at the Court .

ME . PALGEAVE SIMPSON'S clever adaptation of M . Sardou ' s celebrated comedy , " Les Pattes de Moucho , " has been revived at the Court Theatre , and will probably enjoy a lengthened run . The piece , like many others of M . Sardou ' s productions , has a history . Produced originally at the Parisian Gymuase , some fifteen years ago , the two chief parts were " created " by M . Lafontaine and Mdlle .

Rose-Chen , and a great success was achieved . It was almost immediately adapted for the English stage by Mr . Charles Mathews , under tho title of the " Adventures of a Billet-doux , " and shortly after , Mr . Simpson ' s version appeared at the St . James ' s , and Mr . and Mrs . Charles Wigan were provided with two of their

most successful impersonations . Tho play , as now revived , is ouly altered in regard to tho names of the characters from the version so successfully produced by Mr . Wigan . The part of Suzanne—or , as it is now called , Mrs . Hartley—is exquisitely enacted by Miss Madge Eobertson , and that of her opponent

in the playful duel , by Mr . Kendal . Mr . Charles Kelly plays tho part of the husband with considerable ability , and tho minor characters aro more than , adequately sustained by Miss Ingram , Miss Hollingshoad , Miss Hughes , and Mr . Cathcart . Tho rdlo assumed by Mr . Hare , that of Paul in tho original , is brought into more thau usual prominence by the excellence of that actor ' s performance .

Railway Traffic Returns.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS .

The following statement shows the receipts for traffic on the undermentioned railways for the past week , as compared with tha corresponding week in 1875 : — Miles open . Receipts . Railway . 1876 1876 87

Caledonian . . .... 739 50 , 760 52 , 933 Glasgow and South Western . . 315 $ 15 , 553 16 , 823 tfreat Eastern . . . . 764 J- 42 , 285 40 , 496 Clreat Northern j 611 48 , 665 52 , 832 Ureat Western ....2 , 003 117 , 004 112 , 917 Lancashire and Yorkshire . . 437 J 63 , 652 62 , 018

uonuun and Brighton . . . o 7 < . { - 25 , 273 23 , 571 . oudon , Chatham and Dover . . 15 H 15 , 053 14 , 995 iondoti and North Western . . 1 , > 67 J 138 , 255 156 , 604 London and South Western . . 623 30 , 983 29 , 653 London , Tilbury and Southend . 45 1 , 029 — Jlanchester and Sheffield . . 259 * 23 , 578 29 , 040

Midland 977 a 101 , 498 103 , 863 Metropolitan 8 9 , G 07 9 , 172 „ „ District ... 8 | 5 , 536 5 , 132 „ St . John ' aWood . . 1 $ 487 481 North British & m 40 , 713 40 , 467

North Eastern .... 1 , 4 ) 0 £ 118 , 463 118 , 122 North London ....12 6 , 920 6 , 854 s ' orth Staffordshire Eailway . . 191 9 , 609 9 , 653 „„Canal . 8 1 , 577 1 , 721 South Eastern . , , 850 29 , 513 26 , 993