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Article EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF A FREEMASON. ← Page 5 of 17 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Episodes In The Life Of A Freemason.
to the extreme top of thc barricade , and Avas just going to commence his descent , when a fierce burly-looking Milanese accosted him , ancl asked where he was going , and ivhat was liis business : this man at once assumed a tone of command and an air of authority , ivhich convinced my friend that he ivas intrusted with some important charge by the insurgent chiefs .
It Avas no easy matter to return a satisfactory reply to the interrogatories of this stern official , ivhose suspicions were evidently aroused , and who clearly implied by his look ancl manner that he intended to deal in a very summary manner with any opposition which might be offered to his commands . W was at a loss for a moment , and his embarrassment was increased
by the fear that his accent , though very good for a foreigner , might strike the practised ear of a native as something different from that of a genuine Italian . He hesitated , and the same involuntary impulse ( for the thought had i _ 3 ver occurred to him before since the commencement of his troubles ) ivhich was on a former occasion of such emineut service to himflashed across
, his mind , ancl in a sort of hopeless despair , whilst expecting almost every moment to be his last , he made the sign of distress to the Milanese , whose countenance immediately relaxed , as he answered the appeal of his Brother in Masonic terms .
This circumstance of course led to an explanation , ancl a few minutes sufficed to make W ' s new acquaintance au courant of his unpleasant situation . After listening to my friend ' s story with great attention , tlie sturdy republican shook his head gravely , as though he considered the case a desperate one , and even , perhaps , beyond the limits of his power to control .
However , he asked him a few questions as to what he wished to do , and then desired him to stand aside , ancl wait- -for his return . These were , indeed , anxious moments for poor W , ivho , although he had every confidence in the Masonic intentions of his newly-foimd Brother , could not help imagining that perhaps , after allpatriotism might prevail in the heart of the Milanese
, , and he might thereby be tempted to sacrifice a Brother on the altar of his country . But AY did not estimate Masonic virtue by a sufficiently high standard ; even the experience of his adventure at Paris , ancl , still more , the generous conduct of Brother Bertram at Vienna , had failed to teach him IIOAV deep is the source from Avhence flow the sentiments engendered b
y that mystic tie of Brotherhood , ivhich owns no distinction of race or nation , but comprehends within its ample sphere the ivhole great family of mankind , and sheds its mild , and benevolent influence alike over every quarter of the habitable globe . The Milanese Avalked along the top of the barricade for some little A'OL . I . u
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Episodes In The Life Of A Freemason.
to the extreme top of thc barricade , and Avas just going to commence his descent , when a fierce burly-looking Milanese accosted him , ancl asked where he was going , and ivhat was liis business : this man at once assumed a tone of command and an air of authority , ivhich convinced my friend that he ivas intrusted with some important charge by the insurgent chiefs .
It Avas no easy matter to return a satisfactory reply to the interrogatories of this stern official , ivhose suspicions were evidently aroused , and who clearly implied by his look ancl manner that he intended to deal in a very summary manner with any opposition which might be offered to his commands . W was at a loss for a moment , and his embarrassment was increased
by the fear that his accent , though very good for a foreigner , might strike the practised ear of a native as something different from that of a genuine Italian . He hesitated , and the same involuntary impulse ( for the thought had i _ 3 ver occurred to him before since the commencement of his troubles ) ivhich was on a former occasion of such emineut service to himflashed across
, his mind , ancl in a sort of hopeless despair , whilst expecting almost every moment to be his last , he made the sign of distress to the Milanese , whose countenance immediately relaxed , as he answered the appeal of his Brother in Masonic terms .
This circumstance of course led to an explanation , ancl a few minutes sufficed to make W ' s new acquaintance au courant of his unpleasant situation . After listening to my friend ' s story with great attention , tlie sturdy republican shook his head gravely , as though he considered the case a desperate one , and even , perhaps , beyond the limits of his power to control .
However , he asked him a few questions as to what he wished to do , and then desired him to stand aside , ancl wait- -for his return . These were , indeed , anxious moments for poor W , ivho , although he had every confidence in the Masonic intentions of his newly-foimd Brother , could not help imagining that perhaps , after allpatriotism might prevail in the heart of the Milanese
, , and he might thereby be tempted to sacrifice a Brother on the altar of his country . But AY did not estimate Masonic virtue by a sufficiently high standard ; even the experience of his adventure at Paris , ancl , still more , the generous conduct of Brother Bertram at Vienna , had failed to teach him IIOAV deep is the source from Avhence flow the sentiments engendered b
y that mystic tie of Brotherhood , ivhich owns no distinction of race or nation , but comprehends within its ample sphere the ivhole great family of mankind , and sheds its mild , and benevolent influence alike over every quarter of the habitable globe . The Milanese Avalked along the top of the barricade for some little A'OL . I . u