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Article THE FREEMASON'S WIDOW.* ← Page 2 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemason's Widow.*
" Ah , how Avas that ? Who ivas she ? Young and pretty ? An American or a Senorita ? When ivas it , and how ?" was the string of interrogations that assailed the raconteur . "It was the second day before Mexico . The particulars Ave re these . In our company was a mere lad of sixteen , a daring young Virginian , the favourite for his cheerfulness , courage , and youth ; and here let me add , talking of courage and fire , give me a regiment of well-grown boys from fifteen to nineteen . Nothinir can withstand their
charge . Boys bound and leap over the ground as if they Avere at play , and dash at anything without thought , like so many blind pups . For a hard fight in the streets , or for a headlong rush , give me the boys . They are perfect imps for fight . " This boy some weeks before had leaped a fence and
climbed a parapet some hundred yards ahead of his company , and was taken prisoner , though not without killing three Mexicans , and wounding the colonel before he gave in . His mother , a poor Avidow , ( though a lady , and Avhy not ?) heard of it , and as he Avas her only son , yearned for his release . She had no money—no influential friends .
Suddenly she recollected that she was a Mason ' s widoAv ; hope was lighted in her bosom by the thought , and she dried her tears . She said , ' I will test the talismanic power of the Order my husband loved and revered so highly . '" There was a movement of interest with the listeners . Grave gentlemen dreAv nearer and closer attention
gave , doubtless being of the Order themselves . The soldier , evidently gratified by the size and eagerness of his encircling audience , resumed his narrative . " She sold some little valuables , and Avith the money she reached Washington city ; she reached the Secretary of the War Departmenton footand dusty . With difficulty
, , she obtained audicuce of the great man—for our big secretaries are as big' as English lords , only wanting the title . A poor soldier , or a poor Avoman stands a poor chance with the quality .
"' Well , ma'am , ' said he crustily , as she entered , and he saw how dusty she looked—but when she removed her veil , and he saw that she was lady-like , and handsome too , he half arose and pointed to a chair . Well , she told him of her son ' s capture , and that she wanted to go to him . " ' [ cannot help you , ma ' am . Very expensive ! He Avill be exchanged by and by . Better wait . '"
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemason's Widow.*
" Ah , how Avas that ? Who ivas she ? Young and pretty ? An American or a Senorita ? When ivas it , and how ?" was the string of interrogations that assailed the raconteur . "It was the second day before Mexico . The particulars Ave re these . In our company was a mere lad of sixteen , a daring young Virginian , the favourite for his cheerfulness , courage , and youth ; and here let me add , talking of courage and fire , give me a regiment of well-grown boys from fifteen to nineteen . Nothinir can withstand their
charge . Boys bound and leap over the ground as if they Avere at play , and dash at anything without thought , like so many blind pups . For a hard fight in the streets , or for a headlong rush , give me the boys . They are perfect imps for fight . " This boy some weeks before had leaped a fence and
climbed a parapet some hundred yards ahead of his company , and was taken prisoner , though not without killing three Mexicans , and wounding the colonel before he gave in . His mother , a poor Avidow , ( though a lady , and Avhy not ?) heard of it , and as he Avas her only son , yearned for his release . She had no money—no influential friends .
Suddenly she recollected that she was a Mason ' s widoAv ; hope was lighted in her bosom by the thought , and she dried her tears . She said , ' I will test the talismanic power of the Order my husband loved and revered so highly . '" There was a movement of interest with the listeners . Grave gentlemen dreAv nearer and closer attention
gave , doubtless being of the Order themselves . The soldier , evidently gratified by the size and eagerness of his encircling audience , resumed his narrative . " She sold some little valuables , and Avith the money she reached Washington city ; she reached the Secretary of the War Departmenton footand dusty . With difficulty
, , she obtained audicuce of the great man—for our big secretaries are as big' as English lords , only wanting the title . A poor soldier , or a poor Avoman stands a poor chance with the quality .
"' Well , ma'am , ' said he crustily , as she entered , and he saw how dusty she looked—but when she removed her veil , and he saw that she was lady-like , and handsome too , he half arose and pointed to a chair . Well , she told him of her son ' s capture , and that she wanted to go to him . " ' [ cannot help you , ma ' am . Very expensive ! He Avill be exchanged by and by . Better wait . '"