A Tale of Terror.

Manawatu Times, Volume X, Issue 1151, 16 January 1884, Page 2

A Tale of Terror.

Good people draw near my story to'hear, Its truth you re'iarce may place on, Concerning d'ye seewhatbappen'd to me When I went to be made a Freemason. Strange stories were told by the gossips of old, Giving cause for much deep cogitation, Some mysterious fate there seemed to await Those who sought to become a Freemason. T'was said that they'd got branding-irons red-hot Which, impressed a particular place on Left tokens behind of indelible kind, Imprinted on every Freemason, Of these tales, when I heard, I believed not a word, But deemed each »-a*ere fabrication; Come weal or come woe I determined to know What it was to be made a Freemason. So I spoke to a friend his assistance tv lend, He agreed without hesitation, If resolved I was quite, he'd propose the next night That I should be made » Freemason. " But remember," jsaid he, you coura* geouß must be On this very important occasion, For m every Lodge they've many a dodge Calculated to scare a young Mason. Whatever you hear, be it ever so queer, You're expected to put a bold face on. And whatever you feel never utter a squeal Non behave unbecoming a Mason. I told him I'd pluck, and he wished me good luck ' With a curious expression of face on, And he promised that soon at the full of the ra ton, That I should be mr de a Freemason. I stool 'neath. the light of the moon beaming bright, And my mind whs m wild oscillation, So a copper I skied my fare to decide, And I had to become a Freemason. I arrived at the hall just as twilight did fall, ; And down a long passage did pace on Ti?l sropped by a sentry, who guarded the entry, Demanding if 1 were a Mason. I said " No," and he stared, and asked how I dared To be there without qualification, So I told him my tale, that I'd come without Eail That night to be made a Freamason. Just then from within there arose a great din, And a man past the sentry did race on, Cryiog"Heat up the stove, for here comes a cove As wants to be made a Freemason," Next I heard a queer sound that came rolling around. Like thunder m deep diapason Then a thump on the floor and three knocks on the door Told that some one was just made a Mason. Says the sentry to me, Now it's your turn, ye see, And this bandage j our eyes I must place on, And don't stand like a fool while the iron's growing cool, If you mean to be made a Freemason. I stayed for no more, but made straight for the door, Like a scalded cat homeward did rice on, And left like a shot that terrible spot Where I nearly got made a masonAnd now ever since when I think on't I wince, And break out m cold perspiration, When I think of the fright I suffered that night When I did'nt set made a Freemason. New Zealand Fbeehason,