The Mason's Orphan Daughter.

" Yes sir , I think they would , " she quickly responded . "Do you know , Annie , " we asked her Avith some delicacy , " whether your father was a Mason 1 " "No sir , " she responded , "he was a

machinist . " AA e could but smile at her simplicity , and explained , by asking " if ho AA as what they call a Freemason ?" " I think he was something of that sort , " she responded with a laugh" for I have

, in my little trunk upstairs a purple apron which has a good many things on it which I don't know anything about . I found it in one of our drawers after mother died

and as I thought it was very pretty I have kept it every since . " I asked her if she would please go and got it , and let me look at it . She flew up stairs at once , like a little birdand in a feAv moments returned and

, spread out on my lap a very well preserved Master Mason ' s apron . "Was this your father ' s , Annie ? " we inquired . " I presume it AA as , " said she , " though I don't know what he did with it . I have

often taken it out and looked at it , and thought it was something that belonged to the machinists . " " No , Annie , " Ave assured her , " this is what they term the apron of a Master Masonand AA * O presume your father held

, this relation to the Craft in England . " " It may bo , but I don ' t know , " said she , " for I Avas only eight years old when Ave left England , and I never saAV it until after my mother ' s death , when 1 was nine j / ears old . "

" And yon . have kept it ever since 1 " " Yes sir , for since Joseph and Flemingdied , this is nearly all I have left of anything that belonged to our family . " That Masonic apron was a relic worthy of her tenderest regards , for it gave to

others whom she knew not , an interest in her which perhaps nothing else in her possession would or could have done , for she was soon made known to several as the Mason ' s orphan daughter , and with the little light which she could ivea

corresg , pondence was opened up by Brother Gentry , of Terre Haute , with Annie ' s friends in Manchester , England , and the probabilities now are that ere the new year of 1874 daAvn upon us , she will bounder the genial

The Mason's Orphan Daughter.

roof of her grandparents in the land of her birth , whore it is fondly hoped that the lonliness of her orphanage will bo forgotten in the loving smiles and tender caresses of her OAA ' blood kin . " Thus found alone on bleak and foreign shore , An orphan child is carried home once more . " Masonic Advocate .

If We Would.

IF WE WOULD .

If ive would but check the speaker When he spoils his neighbour's fame , If we would but help the erring , Ere Ave utter words of blame ; If we would , IIOAV many might we ?

Turn from paths of sin and shame . Ah , the Avrongs that might be righted-If w e would but see the Avay ? Ah , the pains that might be lightened Every hour and eA'ery day , If we would but hear the pleadings Of the hearts that go astray .

Let us step outside the stronghold Of our selfishness and pride , Let us lift our fainting brothers , Let us strengthen , ere AVO chide ; Let us , ere AVO blame the fallen , Hold a light to cheer and guide .

Ah , how blesssd—ah , IIOAV blessed Earth Avould be , if Ave'd thus try Thus to aid and right the Aveaker , Tims to check each other's sigh , Thus to Avalk on duty's pathway To our better life on high .

In each life , hoAvever loAvly , There are seeds of mighty good ; Still , we shrink from souls appealing , ' With a timid " if we could ;" But a God , Avho judgeth all things , Knows the truth is , " if we would . " St . Louis Freemason .

THE MASONIC PKESS . —The brightest feature in the character of the Masonry of this generation , is found in the fact that the Masonic press , like the sun at high ticche , is shedding its vertical beams directl y into the brain and bosom of the Order , and inspiring it Avith a purity of light and vitality never before enjoyed hy the Ancient Craft . May it shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day . X