Saved From Prison.

was asked for and granted . We repaired to a small room , adjoining the mayor ' s office , and the colonel ' s first words , after closing the door , were " Are you a Mason ?" "I am" responded I , promptly .

, It afterwards appeared that on entering the room he noticed a little gold slipper , which , though seldom wearing , I chanced to have attached to my vest on that occasion .

He proceeded to question me in a way peculiar to Masons , but not being satisfied , sent out for a Dr . William Quail , who examined me further . I considered myself pretty bright in those days , and could answer readily almost any question asked relating to the lectures of the three

degrees . Still undecided , the Grand Lecturer whose name I have forgotten , was sent for , who put me through a rigid course of sprouts . After consultation , the three approached me with extended hands . " Bro . Schmoker , we believe your

statement and will stand by you . The circumstances of the case certainly wear a black look , but we shall at least see you through until you have an opportunity to prove yourself innocent of the charge , or they to prove you guilty . "

We returned to the mayor ' s room . The plaintiff swore positively that I had stolen his money , upon which the official was obliged to bind me over for trial , which

was set at ten a . m . next day . Those truehearted Masons , Bros . Black and Quail , became responsible for my appearance . A half hour previous I was to them an utter stranger . Still , with every appearance of guilt upon me , they trusted implicitly to my honour as a Masonnot to leave them

, in the lurch . Being set at liberty , I telegraphed home to parties who were known in Pittsburg , but for some time , to me unexplainable reason , received no replies , I slept very little that night , I assure you . Morning arrived , and yet no tidings . Ten

o ' clock found me at the court-room , unprepared for anything like a plausible defence . The jail and state prison began to stare me in the face . It seemed as though everything conspired to convict me of that of which I was not guilty . Without a

word from my friends , with no other assurance than the mere word of one who claimed to be a Mason , otherwise a total stranger , those two brethren renewed my

bail , and the trial was put one twenty-four hours . Their confidence remained unshaken . The Masonic , when all other ties failed , saved me from a felon ' s cell . An hour after the adjournment of court , several dispatches arrived from Lancaster ,

not only in answer to mine of the previous evening , but from other prominent citizens , that set everything right , as far as my identity and integrity were concerned . The charge of theft , however , still remained against me .

I left the hotel after dinner and walked leisurely towards the landing , cogitating upon the events of the previous forty-eight hours , and trying to conjure up something that would release me from my predicament . The boat on which I had come

down the previous day had , m the meantime , made a round trip to Newton and back . The thought struck me that by going on board I might gain something favourable to my case . The crew , some of whom recognised me the moment I set foot on the gang plankshouted

out—, * ' That fellow ' s money has been found I " It appeared that when the chambermaid went to make the beds , she found the money—one hundred and ten dollarsunder the pillow . Saved ! saved I said I , mentally , in great delight .

A policeman , in company with the plaintiff , went back to Newton on theboat , and obtained the money . It was found right where the fellow , in his drunken maudlin condition , had placed it . This , of course , ended all further

proceedings . I was immediately discharged , and the mayor , the fellow who accused me of the theft , and others , united in written testimonials fully exonerating me from all guilt . Bros . Black and Quail became my warm and steadfast friendsand for some

, time a correspondence was kept up between us . They were a couple of true-hearted men as ever drew the breath of life , and that transaction placed me under obligations that I never expect to be able

to repay . Colonel Samuel Black was an educated man , having graduated with distinction at a college in Washington , Pa ., served all through the Mexican war as a colonel of volunteers , and on the breaking out of the rebellion , was among the first to enlist in the Union army . His career , however , was of short duration , being shot while leading his men into