The Masonic Sign.

fied with the result , I shall expect to propose you as a Mason ; it is the only Avay you can make atonement to my conscience . " " I agree , " said Smith , " and here ' s my hand on it . "

'' Very well . NOAV , you are going to Bristol this day Aveek—Avell , you shall see the wonderful results of the Masonic si < nis . Double your fist thus—please to copy me —extend the fore-finger of j'our right hand , ancl apply it three times to the ri ght side of your nose— gently tapping it thus . " "But why three times ?" " Ah ! true—I have made a mistake and

given you an advanced sign ; once would have done , but it can ' t be helped IIOAV . When you go to the booking-office ask for a first-class ticket to Bristol ; give the si « ii as I have shoAvn you , ancl the booking-clerk Avill g ive you one for nothing . " Smith opened his in rise

eyes surp . _ " Yes" continuedBIOAVU , " a first-class ticket for nothing . It is in this way : if you had only tapped your nose once they Avould have given you a third-class ticket , what we call an ' E . A . P . ticket ; ' twice , you Avould receive a secondor < F . Cticket '

, . ; but , as I have told you three times , you may as Avell have the advantage of an M . M . ticket , ' ancl ride first . " Accordingly , in due course Smith presented himself at tho little AvindoAv , gaA'e the sign by tapping hisnose three times as

, instructed , and at once received his ticket . "AH right , brother , said the clerk . " Pass on , " _ And it was all ri ght . Smith obtained his first-class ticket , and went CIOAVII to Bristol .

Great Avas his amazement , ancl little did he suspect Brother Jones had arranged the the joke thus : He bad a friend who was a booking-clerk at the G . W . R ., ancl a member of his own lodge , and not grudgiu" a trifle for the fun of the thing , he had given him the cost of

a first-class ticket to Bristol , and instructed him to hand it over to the person AVIIO should act in the manner he had instructed Smith to act . Smith ' s business transacted , the next day it was imperative on him to return

, and presenting himself at the booking-office , he again made the mystic si gn . "One pound tAvelve , " responded the clerk . "Yes I know : but" Tap , tap , tap , and he repeated the sign . " One pound tAvelve , " repeated the clerk

The Masonic Sign.

" and dont stand there making grimaces at me all clay . " " But , my good sir "—( Tap , tap , tap . ) Then he tried the single ancl the double tap , but no result followed ; so he paid for a third-class ticket , and went on his way Avith the brotherly resolve of joining the

order , if it Avas only to obtain the satisfaction of reporting the conduct of this uii-Avorthy clerk . Arriving in toAvn , his first business was to call on Brother Jones , and explain IIOAV he had been served , and how the man refused to give him a ticket Avithout the money .

" Of course he did , " explained Jones . " You made a mistake ; you forgot yon Avere returning , and that the signal ought to have been reversed , You should have tapped the left side of your nose ivith the Avith the finger of the left hand , thus . "

Poor Smith more than suspected he had been made the victim of a joke—the hero of a tale with Avhich Jones AVOUIC ! regale many a Masonic brother Avith infinite relish . Certainly he never seeks to cliscoA'er the sign by becoming a Mason . As to Brother

Jones , he has risen higher and higher in the craft , and is not onl y P . G . D . J . D . O ., but P . M . M ., P . F . C ., P . E . A . P ., andX . Y . Z ., also L . L . D ., A . S . S . ~\ Ye take this Masonic tale , from the "Commercial Travellers' Gazette , " of October 16 , 1875 .

An Indian Masonic Welcome To Our Grand Master.

AN INDIAN MASONIC WELCOME TO OUR GRAND MASTER .

Ye brethren af the mystic rite , To greet your Royal Prince prepare , The Avord is passed , the sign is ri ght , Behold ! he Jills the ancient chair ! The chair the Avisest king of old , Great Solomon , once designed to fill , Our grand construction to unfold

, Called by the universal will . Again , as iu the days of yore , The WIDOW ' SON our work designs , His skill the Temple raised before , We followworking on his lines .

, True to our old Masonic fame , Long may our lofty columns stand , Graced by our ALBERT EDWARD'S name , Made firmer by his ruling baud ,