The Old Folks' Party.

the aged figure it reflected . She played in a minor key an air to the words of Tennyson ' s matchless piece of pathos , " The days that are no more , " accompanying herself with a voice rich , stroug , and sAveet . By the time she had

finished , the girls were all crying . Suddenly Henry sprang to his feet , and , with the strained , uncertain voice of one waking himself from a nightmare , cried : " Thank God , thank God , it is only a dream , " and tore off the wig , letting the brown hair fall about his forehead .

Instantly all folloAved his example , and in a moment the transformation Avas effected . Brown , black , and golden hair Avas flying free ; rosy cheeks were shining through the powder , where kankerckiefs had been hastily applied , and the bent and tottering figures of a moment ago had given place to broad-shouldered men and full-breasted

girls . Henry caught Jessie around the waist , Frank Nellie , and George Mary , and with one of the little girls at tbe piano , up and clown the room they dashed to tbe merriest of Avaltzes in tbe maddest

round that ever was danced . There was a reckless abandon in their glee , as if the lust of life , the glow and fire of youth , its glorious freedom , and its sense of boundless wealth , suddenly set free , after long repression , had intoxicated them with its strong- fumes . It was such a moment as

their life-time would not bring again . It was not till , flushed with panting , laughing and exhausted , they came to a pause , that tbey thought of Grandma Fellows . She was crying , and yet smiling through her tears . "Oh , grandma" cried Mary , throwing

, her arms around ber , and bursting into tears , " we can ' t take you back Avith us . Ob , clear . " And the other girls cried over her , and kissed heriu a piteous , tender way , feeling as if their hearts would break for the pity

of it . And the young men were conscious of moisture about the eyes as they stood looking on . But Grandma Fellows smiled cheerily , and said :

" I ' m a foolish old Avoman to cry , and you must ' nt think it is because I want to be young again . It's only because I can ' t help it . " Perhaps she could ' nt bave explained it better .

Holiday Masons.

HOLIDAY MASONS .

HOLIDAY MASONS are like holiday soldiers — -they look . very pretty in a procession or parade , but they cannot stand fire . Just as there is quite a difference between shooting at a mark , and shooting at a soldier AVIIO is shooting at yon , so there is

little resemblance between the triumphs of a Freemason in the piping times of peace and good will toAvards the Fraternity , and the trials of one who lives amidst the the constant perils of persecution . The fires of Anti-Masonry do not light up

every hill-top and p lain in America now , as tbey did fifty years ago . Tbe Anti-Masons at present are burning only rushlights , and feeble ones at that . True , they amble into conventions , here and there , and preamble and resolve to their hearts '

content , but tbey do it without enthusiasm ; and if they nominate a candidate 'for the Presidency of the Hnited States , the whole country breaks into a laugh . The Anti-Masons are the ones who" are now derided and itied—but Ave do not persecute them .

p One of the instincts implanted by the Creator in human breasts , is that which prompts us to regard with tender mercy the feeble-minded . AVho would he so lost

to manhood as to opjjress those Avho are bereft of reason ? Insanity is a protection , and hence Anti-Masons are safe . But are Freemasons safe against the insidious foes that lurk for them in their own household ? Unbroken prosperity , which makes life seem one long holiday , is not the best

for Masonic strength , and health , and life . It is better to make a fortune than to be left a fortune . It is better to achieve greatness than to be born great . Rome in its rise was more poAverful than Rome iu the climax of its power , for wealth and

conquest sapped its virtues , and repeated military triumphs in the Eternal City foreshadowed its decline ancl fall . So the Freemasonry that , phoenix-like , arises from tbe ashes of persecution , is sturdier , healthier , and nobler than the later Freemasonry which , is founded upon it , and apparently possesses all of the poAver that numbers and wealth seem to indicate .

All branches of Masonry are UOAV flourishing—whether Ancient Craft , Capitular , Cryptic , Templar , or Ancient and Accepted —and scheming men everywhere are try-