A Masonic Dream.

up in conscious rectitude , and I could plainly see that my deportment was making a favourable impression on those cowled judges , who held in their hands my Masonic , if not my earthly fate . One judge ivhispered to another , and I could just make out : " There must be some error about our information . This respondent has the air of an innocent ancl upriht Mason . "

g " But , " said the President , " Chancellor , is there not still another question ?" " There is yet one , " said that voice . " Read it . " " Hast thou ever wilfully defrauded a brother Mason ?" "Not wilfully , I hope , " I answered more humbly , "If I ever have done soI trust it has been done through carelessnessor forgetfulnessor

thought-, , , lessness , ancl not maliciously or intentionally . " " Pause ancl reflect ! " said the sepulchral tones of all the cowled heads at once . Then after a long pause , came thus : " Thou has been accused of having taken the Masonic Bevieiu for two full years without paying a cent , and of having been placed by its publishers on the Delinquent List I Is that charge true ?"

The last question was spoken with awful solemnity , as if it came from a yawning tomb . I heard no more . I could not speak , for my palsied tongue refused its office . The cold sweat , as of death , stood in chilly beads , glistening in the sepulchral gloom of that dim light on my broAV . The blood rushing to the heart gave my face an ashy paleness , and my limbs refused their office . I felt myself fallingand struck out my arms wildland groaned aloud .

, y , In an instant I was awakened by my wife ' s screams . " Why , Hiram , what is the matter ? are you ill ? " as she sprang out of bed , and turned up the gas , which we usually keep burning in a little blue flame at the bureau . "Where am I ? " I asked , sitting up in the bed , ancl rubbing my eyes . " 0 , I guess I must have had a bad spell of nightmare . I ate too much supper last night , I suspect , "

" Yes , and I am afraid those late suppers will be the death of you Masons yet . And then to think that you don't invite your wives . I know you Masons would behave much better if you always had your ivives with you . If I were a Mason I would introduce a resolution never to have a banquet without inviting the ladies . " Mary was a little excited by my attack of nightmare . She is not usually given to curtain lectures , a la Caudle . But I was very sleepy , so I drawled

out ; " Yes ' m—I'll—offer—such—a—reso " I knew no more till next morning , and might have forgotten all about the dream , and its moral . But at the breakfast table my wife said ; " Hiram , you had a bad spell of nightmare last night . What in the world were you dreaming about ?" That called it all up . I told her as well as I could that I dreamt I was arrested , and accused of betraying my Masonic obligations , about owing a bill to the publishers of the Masonic Bevieiv ; and moreover I was afraid it was all true .

As soon as I got up to my counting room that morning , I hailed Jones , my bookkeeper ; " Jones , am I owing 14 . 00 to the Masonio Beview ? " " Yes , sir , that is so , " said Jones . " Why have you not reminded me of that , Jones ? You know I haA'e a great many things to think of , and am very forgetful . " " I have repeatedly spoken of it , " said Jones , " when the bills have at various times been received ; but you have forgotten it . You thought itI

, guess , a small matter , which you could attend to at any time . " " Is it possible ? " penitently said I . " Well , Jones , take this $ 6 . 00 instantly , and hand it to the publishers , with my humblest apology ; and hereafter I authorise you , whenever the first of January conies , to send § 2 . 00 to the Bevieiu