An After Dinner Conversation.

And so she wound up with saying , " Let us go . " "Yes , " quite roared out old Jorum , delightedly , " we will go at once , and we can write to your clear mother , and tell her we -are all gone , and that after we leave the sea-side we intend matins ?

a round of visits . Mrs . Jorum opened her eyes widely , but still said nothing . " Well concoct the letter after breakfast , " added Jorum , joyously , " and Tommy shall help us . He ' s a capital

hand at that sort of thing . " So soon after breakfast , in Jorum ' s little room , we wrote the prettiest , and yet most decisive letter to a mother-in-law , that ever was penned . How Mrs . Jorum ' s clear mother would like it when she read it , I do not think it needful to attempt to realize .

After Mrs . Jorum had gone to " baby , " Jorum said to me in triumph , " You ' re quite right , Tommy , Mrs . J . is a trump card . She quite admitted last night , she is so sensible , that her mother had become too domineering , and that we

must learn to live independently . My clear Tommy , " he continued , " how can I ever be sufficiently grateful for your admirable hint of the sea-side . You ' ve put it in as well as the old ' governor ' used to put down the wickets . "

They say "Virtue is its own reward , " and I bacl the intense satisfaction of seeing Jorum and his pleasant wife , and the olive branches and the servants , all safely off by the express , to " Sliddleon-the-Sea . "

I said to myself as I left the station , like the Roman Emperor , I can safely aver , " non perdidi diem . " If any of my readers are suffering from that trying malady , a too impressive mother-in-law , let them go to the

sea-side , bag and baggage , nurses and children , without her . Not that I wisli to speak disrespectfully of so important a class of the female community , but like all great institutions in this free and favoured land , that mother-inlawdom , so very marked and active in

some cases , requires , as all such great institutions always do , amendment and reform . No cloud has ever since dimmed the matrimonial journey of Jorum and his fascinating wife , ' and she often says ,

laughing to me , " Oh , Mr . Tomlinson , you are the best of doctors . Do you remember your famous prescription to go to the sea-side ? It had complete effect . " THEOPHILUS TOMLINSON .

How May I Know You To Be A Mason?

HOW MAY I KNOW YOU TO BE A MASON ?

BY BKO . M . 3 IAGIL . Not by blabbing and prating of what I don ' t know , Not by wearing gold pins , and making a show , Not by trying to make all creation believe That I am a Mason , and Craft honours receive .

Not thus must I show that I was made free , Not thus can I satisfy or make the Craft see That I am a Mason , both trusty and true . To answer the question , good work I must do . There are tokens and signs which I must employ , And which used aright all cowans defy , None but true Masons can these recognise ,

None but true brothers their value can prize . Those signs well presented , my skill is perceived , And as a Freemason , I will be received ; I can draw right angles , perpendiculars raise , Or lay horizontals to receive just praise . Ton may know b si that I am well bound

y my gns , , Solemn pledges in each , by true brothers are found ; Each sign gives assurance which Masons can prize , While cowans its meaning cannot recognise . By tokens I also can prove I am ri ght , As well in the dark as in clearest daylight , I can satisfy all who are skilled in our art , That in tokens or signs , I can well take my part .

Our tokens are friendly , and prized by the true ; The grip of such brothers no cowans can view , And yet 'tis so simple , so pleasant to make , That in its performance kindest feelings awake . Ton may know of my claim to Masterly skill By my step , or my speech , or by signs , if you will . feet to head

From my my , my ear or my eye , And yet , if not free , all your skill I defy . " When brother grasps brother , as Freemasons can , 'Tis when we see friendship linking man to man ; Then tokens and pledges of love are renewed , And the soul with true greatness is largely imbued . The Canadian Freemason .