SAVED BY MASONRY.

BY WILLIAM ROUNSEVILLE.

In the days when steamboating on the western rivers was at the zenith of its prosperity, and fast boats were run by faster men, the chances of a safe passage were few and far between-the accidents were the rule, the safe journey rather the exception. And yet we can hardly find it in our hearts to blame those who only followed out the wishes of their patrons. who, as a general thing would prefer to run the risk of blow ing up a few times rather than be passed by an opposition boat. When timid old women gave lard to feed the flames under the trembling boilers, and invalids seeking health travel, were the first to propose that a barrel of rosin should be pitched into the fire to add speed to the lagging craft, we cannot wonder that most persons also, partaking of the gen eral excitement, should offer to sit upon the safety valve until victory was won, or a short passage made "beyond the river."

It was in that age of steamboat racing, and consequently of steamboat explosions, that an acquaintance of ours who lived at the south, and who had been spending a summer at the north, took passage for New Orleans on board a boat lying at La Salle. We would not intimate that the La Salle boat was going through to New Orleans, for that was a feat not often accomplished by the smaller boats, but he was to exchange for a larger one at St. Louis, and run his risk of completing his journey on that.

Our friend was a young man, just commencing life for himself, consequently not materially burdened with fund-. and when he had secured his passage, found that his exchequer was even lower than usual. In fact he found that he had not more than enough money to pay his cigar bill while on the trip, and that by a system of self-denial to which he had not been accustomed. But that could be managed provided the trip was made safely, and trusting to former immsnities from accident and the care of Providence, he went on board.

The weather was fine, the company on board agreeable, and the management of the cuisine admirable, and the voyage commenced with all the appliances of a pleasant trip. As it happened, another boat belonging to another line started out at nearly the same time as that upon which our friend embarked. Of course there was a strife between them which should reach St. Louis first. Each stopped at pretty much every landing along the Illinois, and consequently, sometimes one was in advance and sometimes the other. Town after town was passed yet neither had gained any advantage. The passengers began to partake of the desire cherished by the officers and crew to beat their antagonist, and soon opinions were expressed by bets of a magnitude that would be astonishing now on the speed of the respective crafts.

The fireman joined in the excitement and dark clouds of heavy smoke continually rolled from the chimneys, while the steam in its struggles to escape found new seams in the boilers, and hissed louder as if in joy at its emancipation. The opposition boat, in a stretch of ten miles and no stop, was drawing slowly ahead. The ever present rosin was resorted to and sticks of wood dipped into the inflamable substance, were placed in liberal quantities under the quivering boilers. This pushed her ahead so that the next landing was made simultaneously. While at the shore the fires were kept up and O steam allowed to escape for the few minutes required to discharge and receive freight and passengers, for it was necessary to come off a victor in the race, that every means of accelerating speed should be adopted.

The passenger last on the plank or "stage" had just reached the deck, the line had been cast off, the ponderous wheels starting with an unusual speed, commenced their revolutions, and the vessel was already backing out from the levee, when a vast volume of steam and smoke, filled with sticks, iron and timbers, instantaneously followed by a deafening sound, proved to the experienced in travel that the boat had blown up. Our friend was in the cabin nearly over the bursting boiler, and even as the hot steam came through the thin barrier on which he stood, he felt his footing give way

and that he would fall into the vortex created by the explosion below. As quick as thought, he sprang to the door, and as he reached it he saw the floor upon which he had been standing, settle into the fiery abyss below.

On looking about he saw that the "hurricane deck " uninjured, and to it he made his way. There he was above the blinding steam, which, owing to the prevalence of a wind blowing off shore passed away nearly horizontally across the stream. He also found on arriving on the upper deck that he was severely scalded. In an instant his condition flashed through his mind-badly injured, with no money in his pockets and among strangers. On the impulse of the moment he gave that sign which has saved thousands who were ready to perish and which, in a civilized country was never made in vain. The pain from his wounds became so great that in a few moments he fell in a state of helpless insensibility.

When the explosion took place, there was quite a number of people on the levee, who were watching the steamer's de parture, but immediately thereafter, and in an incredible space of time, it seemed as if the whole population had gath ered there. As soon as the disabled vessel was brought to shore, she was boarded by two or three of the best citizens, among whom was a physician, who made their way in spite of all obstacles to the upper deck. They had seen the sign and were proceeding to answer it. A litter was improvised from a shutter wrenched from the Texas, and the yet insensible man was borne carefully and tenderly to the best and most comfortable dwelling in the city.

The citizens cared for the injured persons in a very kind and Christian manner, kept them until the next boat passed down, and then as they were able, they placed them on board and bade them God-speed on their way.

When our friend came to himself, he was lying on a comfortable bed in a spacious room, and anxious faces, both male and female, were bending over him. His wounds had been dressed and he was now comparatively free from pain. Addressing himself to one who was nearest to him he inquired: • Where am I?"

"Where you will be cared for. Do not ask any more questions."

"But you are strangers!"

"But we are brethren."

"I am penniless. I cannot reward you for your kindness.” "We found you poor and penniless, almost naked, unable to contribute to your own necessities, and now though among strangers, you are also among friends."

"Masons?"

"Members of the Universal Brotherhood."

For weeks the wounded man was compelled to quarter upon the hospitality of his new made friends, for he was fearfully injured. But at last the day came when he could safely depart. He had before explained his destitute condition, and had only to thank his preservers for saving his life; for to this day he believes that the medical aid and kindly care which he received were the means of preserving his life, and that with the ordinary care that a person so thrown upon strangers would have received, he must have died.

As he was about to continue his journey, so suddenly brought to an end, he took the hand of the noble brother into whose house he had been taken, and thanked him with such words as a warm and grateful heart could frame to produce under such circumstances, and pledge himself to remunerate him so far as money could do it, as soon as his means would allow. The old man, with watery eyes and unsteady voice, said as he grasped his hand:

"My brother, let this be a striking lesson to you, and should you ever meet a friend, but much more a worthy brother mason, in like destitute circumstances, you should contribute to his necessities as far as your ability will permit without material injury to yourself."

"God helping me, I will remember the timely admonition."

Accompanied to the boat, the restored brother then bade his masonic brethren adieu, and probably has not since met them; but there is a warm place in his heart as there would be

by his fireside, for those who were faithful to masonic obli gation and sought him out and saved him in his dire ca lamity. The Masonic Trowel.

WAS UNCLE PAUL A MASON?

"Was Uncle Paul a Mason?" Ike asked of Mrs. Partington, as he stood looking at the rigid profile of the ancient corporal of the Bloody Eleventh that hung on the wall.

"No, he was a veteran sergeant naturally, though he took in gardening afterward, and raised the most wonderful squashes. They always took the primer at the Horticultural Fair."

"I mean, was he a Freemason?" continued Ike.

"Oh dear, no," replied she," and I am glad of it; for they are a great deal to free in throwin' their plasterin' round. which is very mortifying, and takes the color out of things so; and when they whitewashed the kitchen, didn't they make free with the balmy bud rumn, which they mistook for a cordial? and I wish to gracious it had been a'metic, to have taught 'em a lesson to be a little less free next time."

"But Freemasons," said Ike, petulently, "ain't masons: I mean the fellows that built the temple and hid Morgan."

"Oh!" she exclaimed," them? Well, dear, I have heard of a good many things they did, and then again I have heard of a good many things they didn't; and so, between 'em both, I don't believe neither. It is a great mystery!" she whispered, "and if they did kill Morgan, they ought to have done it, if they agreed to, though 'twas a bad thing for him. But I never believed the story told of a crowbar, which is preposterous; and as for the gridiron--thereby hangs a tale: the Lord knows what they do in their secret cemeteries, when they get on one anothes clothes by mistake, and cut up all sorts of capers-to say nothin' about the ridiculous aprons which make them look so queer.”

The interest of Ike had ceased, and he turned his attention to anointing the cat with an application of soft soap.