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Article ELECTA'S CHOICE. ← Page 2 of 3 Article ELECTA'S CHOICE. Page 2 of 3 →
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Electa's Choice.
the fact so fully as now , after having received the degrees of the Eastern Star—nofc that the two Orders are identical by any means , but both labouring to attain fche same beneficent ends by different means . What I received last night fully confirmed all that father had told me about the Star ;
and I can now see why he was so anxious that , on reaching the required age , I should enter tho Order . I am glad that I made to him the promise , and that fche promise has been redeemed . I was told , last night , thafc ' the Eastern Star is closely related to the Masonic Fraternity ; that there the
wives , daughters , mothers , widows and sisters of Masons may become co-labourers wifch the greafc brotherhood in the service of humanity ; that woman ' s heart beats responsive to the same inspiration thafc prompts man to noble deeds ; that she hears fche cry of the orphan , the call of want , and
the piteous wail of sorrow ; that she honours the Brotherhood for its noble work , and that she seeks , throngh the Eastern Star , to be a co-worker with the Masonic brother —to pay the tribute of her lovo aud labour at the same shrine , and to be able to make herself known , throughout
the domain of Masonry , as being entitled to its protection . ' Added to this were •the impressive and transcendantly beautiful and ennobling lessons drawn from the life and conduct of those loved heroines of Bible story : Adah , Ruth , Esther , Martha , and Electa . I rejoice that I am
permitted to bear one of these honoured names ; it is to me a father ' s most precious legacy . I could tell you more , Mr . Dictum , bufc you have perhaps now all that you can properly digest ; and , as I speak from personal knowledge
and experience , please do me tho justice to believe that I thoroughly endorse all that the Order teaches , and that I never had so exalted a view of the dignity and responsibility of human life , and of our duty to labour for the common weal , as to-day . "
"I gladly concede all this , and more , Miss Electa . There has never been a moment when I have questioned either the integrity of your motive or the purity of your purpose , however at times I may have been tempted to question your judgment . You have given me new points
upon whioh to meditate , and in this meditation I hope to bo controlled by cousidomfcious worthy of tho subject and of myself . I have your permission to go away ; otherwise I should have remained . Bufc my interests oti the Pacifii *
slope really require my pre .-once there , though this possibly could havo been dispensed with until after tho holiday . ' -. I go , to my regret , unattended , bufc I shall - -till think of you , and , with your permission , will now and thou send you a letter . "
"Certainly ; write wlienjou will , Mr . Dictum , and be ever assured of having an interesting recipient of your missives . You are going in tlio morning . Take with you , olease , as a
little memento , this pair of sleeve-buttons . You need not wear them , as father did , unless you choose , bufc they may serve to bring back thoughts of him . They can cause you no harm , and possibly may prove means of good . "
" I receive them with great pleasure , Electa , and will wear them , too * for , unexposed to view , no oue will be likely to accuse me of sailing uuder false colours . The compass and square mean something , I suppose , to the initiated , but to me they are without special signification . Nevertheless , I will wear them for his sake and yours . "
They separated , and upon much better terms than either had anticipated . ! The Christmas that succeeded was not a very bright and merry one to Electa . True , elements and evidences of merriment were about her , and , as usual—yes more than
usually so—there was enough to be done upon hor part to make the day one of pleasure and enjoyment to otherseven her new relationship to tho Star Order increasing her field of work in this respect , and bringing back the reflex influence that ever attends such efforts . But , he was gone ;
and somehow the day was not as desired , nor as at one time had been partially arranged for . This arrangement had been broken up , and for it she was partially , although not mainly , as she still felt , responsible ; for , a ' ahongh his name was Dictum , that fact did nofc give him the right to
dictate in a matter thafc more particularly concerned herself , and fchafc so slightly affected him . Besides , bad not his language at times been quite sarcastic , even invading the
domain of insult to a departed parent ? So sho argued , bufc still she loved , and questioned whether her own language had nofc been too severe , ancl whether her assent to his going away had nofc been too readil y given . But how with Dictum ? Had he a " merry Christmas ?" Nofc altogether ; nor was the day spent by him in San
Electa's Choice.
Francisco . Pausing at Salt Lake City , to havo a brief visit with a friend , ifc was found thafc tho friend had gone away . On the way to the depot , next morning , fco take the trrtin for San Francisco , Dictum met a serious and painful accident . The team drawing his carriage ran away ,
overturning and demolishing the carriage , breaking oue arm and one leg for Dictum , and so injuring his head as to render him unconscious for several days , lie was a stranger in the city , aud , there being then no hospital , he was taken to the house of a kind-hearted and benevolent
gentlemen , who , rendering assistance in setting the broken arm , had noticed Dictum ' s sleeve buttons . Here tho be ^ t medical skill was employed and careful nursing was had .
Consciousness finally returned to tho sufferer , but ho W » H forbidden by his physicians to engage in unnecessary conversation , as his condition was still precarious , and all excitement and mental strain must be avoided , if possible .
Some weeks elapsed before Dictum waa able to resume his journey ; but the time at length came , and , about ready to start , he inquired for his bill . "The bill is paid , " remarked the good man at whoso house he bad been so kindly cared for .
" Paid ! How ? " demanded Dictum , who really waa astonished .
" By the pleasure we have had in caring for you , my brother , " was tbe response . " I do not understand this , sir , and am able and willing to pay for the very kind care and treatment I have received . "
That may be , my brother , but I again assure you that the bill is paid . I would be ashamed to charge you for care and attention received at my house . " " You are really a noble man , " said Dictum , " and I appreciate and will be ever grateful to you for your kindly
offices ; but I must at least be allowed to pay the physicians ' charges . " "They make no charges , brother , for they are your brethren , and would not consent to tho reception of compensation for such a service . "
"You say that tbey are my brethren , sir . How do you make thafc appear r " ' * Why , like yourself , they are members of a Masonio Lodge . " " But I am no Mason , sir , and never belonged to a Lodge . How came you to think mo i > . Mason ?"
" Those sleeve-buttons gave us the first intimation , and it seemed to be sufficient . Then during the first week or more of your illness , you wero almost constantly , in your
delirium , ejnculating something about 'Electa , ' 'tho Lodge , ' ' father , ' and ' Eastern Star ; ' and we all took it for granted that you belonged to tbe Lodge and the Star Chapter . "
" Ah , yes , I understand ifc now , " said Dictum . Then he explained to his new-found friend bow it was that tho sleeve-buttons came into his possession—how he had
opposed the Lodge and the Chapter , & c . "And now , " said he , " with this explanation , and having learned that I am not your Masonic brother , you will of course allow mo to pay for the services rendered me ?"
" . Not at all , brother . You have already been informed that the bill has been paid . Do you presume that wo would receive double payment for the same service ? This is not our method .
" But , sir , you were all along supposing that I was a Masonic brother , and as such you treated me . " " That is true , Mr . Dicfcum , and while ifc is also true that the Brotherhood have first claims upon us , yet the genius
and the spirit of Freemasonry teach us to do good to all , as well as to the household of the faithful . We are thankful thab it was our privilege to serve you , and beg once more to assure you that your bill is paid . "
"And this is Freemasonry ! " exclaimed Dictum . Alas how have my eyes beeu blinded and my mind dwarfed by the power of prejudice and the influence of early education ? My brother—for such , after all , I feel that you neally are , in a broad , cosmopolitan sense—I fcbank you
from the fullness of my heart , for the service rpndered mo by yourself and brethren in my misfortune and suffering , bafc , more than all , for the revelation you have mado of tho inner characteristics of the Masonic Order . Upon this point you shall hear from me later . Meanwhile , I bid you a grateful , and , as you see , tearful farewell . "
Soon the greafc city of tho " Slope " was reached , ancl Dictum , still a sufferer , and compelled to use crutches , by reason of hia accident , after despatching a letter to Electa ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Electa's Choice.
the fact so fully as now , after having received the degrees of the Eastern Star—nofc that the two Orders are identical by any means , but both labouring to attain fche same beneficent ends by different means . What I received last night fully confirmed all that father had told me about the Star ;
and I can now see why he was so anxious that , on reaching the required age , I should enter tho Order . I am glad that I made to him the promise , and that fche promise has been redeemed . I was told , last night , thafc ' the Eastern Star is closely related to the Masonic Fraternity ; that there the
wives , daughters , mothers , widows and sisters of Masons may become co-labourers wifch the greafc brotherhood in the service of humanity ; that woman ' s heart beats responsive to the same inspiration thafc prompts man to noble deeds ; that she hears fche cry of the orphan , the call of want , and
the piteous wail of sorrow ; that she honours the Brotherhood for its noble work , and that she seeks , throngh the Eastern Star , to be a co-worker with the Masonic brother —to pay the tribute of her lovo aud labour at the same shrine , and to be able to make herself known , throughout
the domain of Masonry , as being entitled to its protection . ' Added to this were •the impressive and transcendantly beautiful and ennobling lessons drawn from the life and conduct of those loved heroines of Bible story : Adah , Ruth , Esther , Martha , and Electa . I rejoice that I am
permitted to bear one of these honoured names ; it is to me a father ' s most precious legacy . I could tell you more , Mr . Dictum , bufc you have perhaps now all that you can properly digest ; and , as I speak from personal knowledge
and experience , please do me tho justice to believe that I thoroughly endorse all that the Order teaches , and that I never had so exalted a view of the dignity and responsibility of human life , and of our duty to labour for the common weal , as to-day . "
"I gladly concede all this , and more , Miss Electa . There has never been a moment when I have questioned either the integrity of your motive or the purity of your purpose , however at times I may have been tempted to question your judgment . You have given me new points
upon whioh to meditate , and in this meditation I hope to bo controlled by cousidomfcious worthy of tho subject and of myself . I have your permission to go away ; otherwise I should have remained . Bufc my interests oti the Pacifii *
slope really require my pre .-once there , though this possibly could havo been dispensed with until after tho holiday . ' -. I go , to my regret , unattended , bufc I shall - -till think of you , and , with your permission , will now and thou send you a letter . "
"Certainly ; write wlienjou will , Mr . Dictum , and be ever assured of having an interesting recipient of your missives . You are going in tlio morning . Take with you , olease , as a
little memento , this pair of sleeve-buttons . You need not wear them , as father did , unless you choose , bufc they may serve to bring back thoughts of him . They can cause you no harm , and possibly may prove means of good . "
" I receive them with great pleasure , Electa , and will wear them , too * for , unexposed to view , no oue will be likely to accuse me of sailing uuder false colours . The compass and square mean something , I suppose , to the initiated , but to me they are without special signification . Nevertheless , I will wear them for his sake and yours . "
They separated , and upon much better terms than either had anticipated . ! The Christmas that succeeded was not a very bright and merry one to Electa . True , elements and evidences of merriment were about her , and , as usual—yes more than
usually so—there was enough to be done upon hor part to make the day one of pleasure and enjoyment to otherseven her new relationship to tho Star Order increasing her field of work in this respect , and bringing back the reflex influence that ever attends such efforts . But , he was gone ;
and somehow the day was not as desired , nor as at one time had been partially arranged for . This arrangement had been broken up , and for it she was partially , although not mainly , as she still felt , responsible ; for , a ' ahongh his name was Dictum , that fact did nofc give him the right to
dictate in a matter thafc more particularly concerned herself , and fchafc so slightly affected him . Besides , bad not his language at times been quite sarcastic , even invading the
domain of insult to a departed parent ? So sho argued , bufc still she loved , and questioned whether her own language had nofc been too severe , ancl whether her assent to his going away had nofc been too readil y given . But how with Dictum ? Had he a " merry Christmas ?" Nofc altogether ; nor was the day spent by him in San
Electa's Choice.
Francisco . Pausing at Salt Lake City , to havo a brief visit with a friend , ifc was found thafc tho friend had gone away . On the way to the depot , next morning , fco take the trrtin for San Francisco , Dictum met a serious and painful accident . The team drawing his carriage ran away ,
overturning and demolishing the carriage , breaking oue arm and one leg for Dictum , and so injuring his head as to render him unconscious for several days , lie was a stranger in the city , aud , there being then no hospital , he was taken to the house of a kind-hearted and benevolent
gentlemen , who , rendering assistance in setting the broken arm , had noticed Dictum ' s sleeve buttons . Here tho be ^ t medical skill was employed and careful nursing was had .
Consciousness finally returned to tho sufferer , but ho W » H forbidden by his physicians to engage in unnecessary conversation , as his condition was still precarious , and all excitement and mental strain must be avoided , if possible .
Some weeks elapsed before Dictum waa able to resume his journey ; but the time at length came , and , about ready to start , he inquired for his bill . "The bill is paid , " remarked the good man at whoso house he bad been so kindly cared for .
" Paid ! How ? " demanded Dictum , who really waa astonished .
" By the pleasure we have had in caring for you , my brother , " was tbe response . " I do not understand this , sir , and am able and willing to pay for the very kind care and treatment I have received . "
That may be , my brother , but I again assure you that the bill is paid . I would be ashamed to charge you for care and attention received at my house . " " You are really a noble man , " said Dictum , " and I appreciate and will be ever grateful to you for your kindly
offices ; but I must at least be allowed to pay the physicians ' charges . " "They make no charges , brother , for they are your brethren , and would not consent to tho reception of compensation for such a service . "
"You say that tbey are my brethren , sir . How do you make thafc appear r " ' * Why , like yourself , they are members of a Masonio Lodge . " " But I am no Mason , sir , and never belonged to a Lodge . How came you to think mo i > . Mason ?"
" Those sleeve-buttons gave us the first intimation , and it seemed to be sufficient . Then during the first week or more of your illness , you wero almost constantly , in your
delirium , ejnculating something about 'Electa , ' 'tho Lodge , ' ' father , ' and ' Eastern Star ; ' and we all took it for granted that you belonged to tbe Lodge and the Star Chapter . "
" Ah , yes , I understand ifc now , " said Dictum . Then he explained to his new-found friend bow it was that tho sleeve-buttons came into his possession—how he had
opposed the Lodge and the Chapter , & c . "And now , " said he , " with this explanation , and having learned that I am not your Masonic brother , you will of course allow mo to pay for the services rendered me ?"
" . Not at all , brother . You have already been informed that the bill has been paid . Do you presume that wo would receive double payment for the same service ? This is not our method .
" But , sir , you were all along supposing that I was a Masonic brother , and as such you treated me . " " That is true , Mr . Dicfcum , and while ifc is also true that the Brotherhood have first claims upon us , yet the genius
and the spirit of Freemasonry teach us to do good to all , as well as to the household of the faithful . We are thankful thab it was our privilege to serve you , and beg once more to assure you that your bill is paid . "
"And this is Freemasonry ! " exclaimed Dictum . Alas how have my eyes beeu blinded and my mind dwarfed by the power of prejudice and the influence of early education ? My brother—for such , after all , I feel that you neally are , in a broad , cosmopolitan sense—I fcbank you
from the fullness of my heart , for the service rpndered mo by yourself and brethren in my misfortune and suffering , bafc , more than all , for the revelation you have mado of tho inner characteristics of the Masonic Order . Upon this point you shall hear from me later . Meanwhile , I bid you a grateful , and , as you see , tearful farewell . "
Soon the greafc city of tho " Slope " was reached , ancl Dictum , still a sufferer , and compelled to use crutches , by reason of hia accident , after despatching a letter to Electa ,