Why Mrs. Herbert Loved Masonry.

WHY MRS . HERBERT LOVED MASONRY .

" Ticket , ma ' am . "' said the conductor . " Yes , sir , in one moment ; " and Mrs . Herbert sought in her pocket for her portmannaie , in which she had deposited the article in q-jestion . But it had mystericusly disappeared , and th . lady arose hastily , and gave a rapid and searching glance under and about her .

" O , sir , I have lost my ticket ; and not only that , but my money and check for my baggage . " The conductor was a young man who had been but a few weeks upon the road in his present capacity , and felt himself greatly elevated in his position . He prided himself on his ability to detect any person in an attempt to avoid the payment of the regular fare , and had earnestly

wished that an opportunity might be offered winch would enable him to prove his superior power of penetration , and the ease with which he could detect imposition . Here , then , was a Case just suited to his mind ; and he watched Mrs . Herbert with a cold , scrutinizing , suspicious eye , while she was searching so eagerly for the missing ticket . With a still extended hand he said , " Must have your fare ,

madam . " " But , sir , I have no money ; 1 cannot pay you . " " How far do you wish to go ? " he asked . " I am on my way to Boston , where I reside . I have been visiting relatives in Wisconsin . " ¦ " ' Well , ' you can go no further on this train , unless you can pay your fare . "

A bright thought occurred to Mrs . Herbert . "I will place my watch in your keeping , " she said ; " when I reach Detroit I will pawn it for money to pursue my journey . My husband will send for and redeem-it . " " That will do , " said the conductor . "I will take your watch and give you a check to Detroit . I have no authority to do so from the railway company , but may upon

my own responsibility . " : But Mrs . Herbert ' s embarrassment vvas not to be . relieved so readily as she hoped . Searching for her watch , that , also , was not to be found . " Oh , what shall I do ? " she said , her face growing very pale . " My watch is gone , too ! I must have been robbed in Chicago . "

" You can leave the train at . the next station , " he said , quickly and decidedly ; " that ' s what you can do . " The whistle sounded down brakes , and the conductor stepped on to the plalform of the- car . Mrs . Herbert looked around her . There were a few passengers in the car ; some were reading , some looking out of the windows on the town they were just entering . No one seemed to

have heard the conversation between the conductor and herself , or , at least , to have become interested in her behalf . The train stopped , thc conductor appeared , a , _ l taking the shawl and travelling basket from the rack above her head , bade her to follow him . In ten minutes more thc train had gone , and Mrs . Herbert sat alone in L

depot , trying to decide upon the course best to pursue . She had no money to defray her expenses at a hotel ; she had nothing with which to pay a hackman for taking her to one ; but after a few minutes ' , reflection she resolved to inquire for the residence of a clergyman of that church of which she herself was a member , and ask him in the name of Christian charity and kindness , to give her a home until

she could send a telegram to her husband , and he could furnish her with means to pursue her journey . Inquiring of thc ticket agent thc name of the clergyman she hoped to find , being politely directed to his house , she was soon at his door and rung thc bell . He answered the summons in person , and in a few hurried sentences she made known her misfortune and her request .

The Rev . Mr . R was thin , tall , and straight . He was apparently about forty-five years of age ; polished , but pompous ; no particles of dust could be found on his fine black broadcloth or nicely polished boots ; the tie in his ciavat was faultless ; his hair was brushed carefully fomard to conceal coming baldness . Very dignified , very important , very ministerial appeared the reverend

gentleman : but as Mrs . Herbert looked into his cold , grey eyes , she felt that benevolence was by n _ means as strong an clement in his composition as selfishness . Her heart seemed to chill in his presence ; she could not help contrasting him , mentally , with the good Mr . Weston , who was pastor of her own church at home . Ah , not often had the hand now thrust into the bosom of the tight-buttoned dress

coat been prompted by the cold heart beneath it to place a bright coin upon the palm of beggared childhood ; not often had his footsteps found their way to poverty's door ; yet this unworthy representative of the Christian church preached charity to his rich congregation at least twice every Sabbath , and , so far as himself was concerned , made preaching supply the place of practice .

" Madam , " he said , after eyeing her from head to foot , " you have a pretty story , but the streets of L are full of such stories at the present day . Did I listen to one-half I hear of the kind , I should have my house filled with poor mendicants al ! the time , and , perhaps , few of them would be worthy of my respect ; 1 cannot keep you as you request . "

Mrs . Herbert turned from the inhospitable door of the Rev . Mr . R . The cool insolence with which he had treated her had almost driven courage from her heart ; but she determined now to seek a hotel , where at least to rest herself and decide upon some course of action . She had eaten nothing since morning , indeed , she had not thought

of food ; but now she felt faint and weary , and the consciousness that she was alone in a strange city , friendless and penniless , with the shades of evening falling , quite unnervidher . As she glanced up and down the street , thc first thing that attracted her attention was—not a publichouse sign , but in large gilt letters the words— " Masonic Hall . " Her heart gave a quick , joyful jump . Her hus-

Why Mrs. Herbert Loved Masonry.

band belonged to the . Masonic fraternity , and she knew that any duty a Mason owed to a brother he owed equally to that brother ' s wife or daughter . She remembered also , that to that noble Order she was indebted for nearly all the happiness she had known in her life . But familiar as she had been with its workings in her native city , she had never realised its universality , and never understood how

like some great talismaiiic belt , it circles thc earth , embracing all mankind in its protecting folds ; softening the asperities of dissenting religionists , shedding the purple light of love on the fierce rapids of commercial life , enlightening and ennobling politicians , and harmonising tlieir conllicting sentiments upon a sense of kindred . Mrs . Herbert now paused irresolute . What would she

now . have given for a knowledge of one mystic sign by which to call her husband ' s Masonic brothers to her side ? Men were passing rapidly up and down the street ; elegantly dressed ladies were out enjoying the delicious coolness of thc evening , for the day had been sultry ; but among all that busy throng there was not one whom she felt at liberty to accost .

A gentleman was passing her , leading a little girl by the hand . With a quick gesture she arrested his step . She had observed nothing peculiar in the stranger ' s face ; indeed , she had not noticed it at all ; but a Maltese cross was suspended from his watch guard , and thc moment she discovered it , she had involuntarily lifted her hand to prevent his passing her .

The stranger looked at her inquiringly ; she pointed to the cross and said , "That , sir , is why I stopped you ; will you excuse me for addressing you , and please tell me if you are a Mason ?" " 1 am , " he replied . "Oh , sir , my husband is a Mason , and perhaps you will be kind to your brother ' s wife . "

" Where does your husband live ?" " In Boston . His name is G . W . Herbert ; and he is of the firm of Herbert , Jackson , & Co ., L street . I was on my way to him from Wisconsin , but have been robbed of the means of paying my fare , and the conductor refused to take me further . I have applied to the Rev . Mr . R , and he turned me insultingly from the door . "

"'lhc old hypocrite , " muttered the gentleman . " Mrs . Herbert , my house is but a block distant , and it is at your service . My wife will make you welcome and comfortable . Will you accept our hospitality ? " " O , sir , how gladly I " And half an hour later Mrs . Herbert was refreshing herself at ihe well spread table of

Mr . Hcndcrson , first officer of Eureka Commandery , No . u . When supper was over Mr . Henderson said to his wife , " I will return immediately . Make Mrs . Herbert feel herself at home . " He walked directly to the office ot the Western Union Telegraph Company , and addressed the following message to his brother in Boston -.

—" Is G . VV . Herbert , L street , a member of our Order , and his wife in the VVest ? Answer immediately . " When Mr . Henderson returned home he found his wife and Mrs . Herbert in an animated conversation ; and he was surprised to note the change in the strange lady's appearance now that she felt herself among friends . Her face wore so genuine an impression of sweetness and purity ; her conversation was so expressive of such lofty

sentiments , such real goodness of heart , and betrayed so highly cultivated a mind , that Mr . Henderson found himself regretting that he had taken the precaution to send a telegram to Boston in order to prove the truthfulness of her statements . Mrs . Henderson seated herself at the elegant piano , and alter performing several pieces , invited Mrs . Herbert to play also . She gracefully complied , and after a low , sweet prelude , began to sing : —

" A stranger I was , but they kindly received me . " She sang the piece entirely through , her voice quivering wilh emotion . Mr . and Airs . Henderson stood at her side and the gentlemen said : — " Mrs . Herbert , it is wc who are blessed in being permitted to form thc acquaintance of so entertaining a

converser and musician . V ou aic not a stranger , but a dear friend , a sister , my brother ' s wife ; you have a right in our home . A Knight Templar ' s house is ever open to thc unfortunate . But you must : iot leave the piano yet ; play another piece for us—your favourite . " " 1 do not know that I have one . "

" tour husband ' s , then , " suggested Mrs . Henderson . Again Mrs . Herbert ' s practiced lingers swept the keys , and then her clear , lich voice arose in the popular Masonic ode : "Hail , Masonry divine . " As the last sweet echo died away , she arose saying , "That is my husband's favourite . "

Mr . Henderson was standing with his arm around his wife ' s waist . Tears were in his eyes , and he drew closer to her as he said , "O , Jennie , will ; you not learn to play that piece for me : " " But 1 could never make it sound like Mrs . Herbert , " she replied , " for you know I do not like Masonry . " " And why do you not like it ? " Mrs . Herbert

ventured to ask . " Because it rises like a mountain between me and my husband ; I am jealous of Masonry ! " And the glance she cast upon him ar her side told Mrs . Herbert with what depth of love this true wife regarded her husband , and she almost pardoned her for her dislike of Masonry upon thc ground she had mentioned . But she felt that Mrs . Henderson vvas in error , and she said ,

" Will you allow me to tell you why 1 love Masonry ? " " Oh , yes , " replied Mrs Henderson , " I should be glad to feel differently if I could ; " and she . drew a large arm chair for Mrs . Herbert in front of thc sofa , upon which she and her husband seated themselves . Mrs . Herbert began : "My father was a commission merchant in Boston , and in consequence of . causes which I never fully understood—for I was very young at the

Why Mrs. Herbert Loved Masonry.

time—he failed in business . Our beautiful home was taken from us , and father removed mother and me to an humble but comforiable cottage in the suburbs , while he procured employment as clerk in a dry goods establishment . " He was disheartened by his sudden and heavy losses . It was seldom , indec ., that he was heard to speak

cheerfully and hopefully . His health declined , and before we had ever dreamed of the threatening danger , he was a confirmed consumptive . But he was a Mason , and we were not allowed to feel that his inability for labour had deprived us of the comforts of our home . Supplies of provisions , clothing , and fuel came regularly to our door . But one chill

evening in September we were gathered around the bedside to take the last farewell . The friends of our prosperous days were not there—they left us with our riches—but a circle of true manly faces were there , and tears were brushed aside which were the overflow of sympathising hearts . I stood beside my grief-stricken mother , who knelt beside the couch of death , her head bowed helplessly

upon thc emaciated hand upon which she had depended for guidance and protection . My father kissed me tenderly , and turning to his Masonic brothers , said : ' I can but leave my dear one in your care , and I know that I can trust you . I feel that my poor Alice will not long survive my loss , and thus this little one will be a helpless waif on tbe great sea of humanity . 1 give her to you ,

not as the child of one , but of all—the lodge . ' " A few moments later I was fatherless . One of those strong , noble men lifted me in his arms and bore mc from thc room . I heard what my father had said , arid although a child of hut seven years I comprehended it all . I threw my arms around the good man's neck , who held me so tenderly , and sobbed , ' Oh , sir , will you be my

father . " " " Yes , my dear little girl , " he said , in a broken voice , " you shall never want . " " My mother was a frail , delicate creature , and her constant watching at my father ' s bedside , combined with the last terrible shock , threw her into a fever , from which she never recovered . We remained in our little cottage until my

sweet mother ' s death , and my father ' s Masonic brothers anticipated our every want . And when I was at last au orphan , my new protectors took me away . All felt that I was a sacred charge . I was placed under the charge of thc most reliable instructors , and my health was carefully guarded . 1 lived in the house of him I asked to be my father , and I believe he loved me as his child . When I

arrived at the age of twenty years I was married—with the full approbation of my guardians—to Mr . Herbert , clerk in a dry goods house . The young man was honest and attentive to his business—that was not quite ten years ago —now he is a partner in the same house . VVc have an elegant home , and every year our parlours are opened to receive , with their families , the few who remain of those

who , at the time of my father ' s death , were members of the lodge to which he belonged . You understand now , my friends , why I love Masonry ?" Mrs . Henderson lifted up her eyes to those of her husband ; he was looking at her so wistfully , so pleadingly . " My dear wife , " he said , " Mrs . Herbert's case is but one out of thousands . It is the aim of Masonry to relieve

the distressed every where , and to elevate ami ennoble themselves . Our labours take us often from the home circle , but it would not be manly in us to spread a knowledge of the good we do . To many of the recipients of our charity it would be bitter relief , if trumpeted forth to the world . " Mrs . Henderson placet both her hands in those of her husband and said , her eyes filled with tears , " I will learn

to play that piece for you , ana I think I can give it some of Mrs . Herbert ' s expression , for I think differently of Masonry than I have ever done before . " The next morning , when breakfast was over , Mrs . Herbert said , " Now , Mrs . Henderson , I must send an immediate telegram to my husband , for I am very anxious to meet him , and 1 must not trespass upon your generous

hospitality longer than is necessary . " " Will you entrust me with thc message ?" " Yes , sir ; and it was soon ready . " "Ah ! I was about sending you thc answer to your telegram to Boston , " said the operator to Mr . Henderson , as he entered the office . I le took the paper extended towards him , and found thc message to read as fellows : —

" G . W . Herbert is a worthy Knight Templar . He stands well socially and financially . His wife is in Wisconsin ?" Mr . Henderson called upon a few Masonic friends , and hastened home . Taking a roll of bills from his side pocket , he laid them before Mrs . Herbert , saying , " 1 did not send your message . I have taken thc liberty to draw

from the bank of Masonry a deposit made by your husband for your benefit . " " The bank of Masonry ! A deposit for my benefit ! I d-- not understand you . " " Well , then , I will explain . Every dollar a man contributes toward the support of the Masonic Institution is a deposit to be drawn upon any time he or his family may

require it ; I know , positively , that your husband is a worthy Mason , and this money—one hundred dollars—is as really and truly yours as if he handed it to you himself . If you wish to continue your journey to-day , I will see you safely on the one o ' clock train . " Mrs . Herbert's lips quivered , and she only said , " Oh , I shall be glad to go . "

A week later the Secretary of the Eureka Commandery announced to his brothers in regular conclave assembled , the receipt of a letter which he proceeded to read : " M . L . Henderson , E . G ., and the Sir Knights of Eureka Commandry , No . 12 : " I enclose you a cheque for one hundred dollars , the amount so kindly furnished by you to my wife , who arrived in sajety yesterday . ' My gratitude to y _ u- tor v 0