Rip Van Winkle Lodge, No. 1001.

of this old antiquated concern is a draAVhack on the advancing light of Masonry , and calculated to make the Avorld believe that the Mystic Tie is pretty much a humbug after all . In this matter , hoAvever , Ave think they need not greatly trouble themselvesfor the old Rip has stood it

, well , and she is , for a good many years , and the human probabilities are that she Avill continue to do so until the crack of doom . —American Masonic Advocate .

The Silver Lining.

THE SILVER LINING .

Captain Bro . Macclermont , late of the regular army , teBs us that the horrors of Avar ( especiaUy in his case ) Avere mitigated by the humanizing influences of Masonry , and that there is no cloud , hoAvever dark , but hath its silver lining . We accept the foUoAving interesting sketch from his

graphic pen , and commend it to the perusal of all AVIIO believe in the universal humanity of heaven born Masonry : " In the faU of 186 ft , several squadrons of Federal cavalry Avent out on a raiding expedition through one of the most

Southern States . The expedition Avas successful —completely so . The enemy had fled before it . Artillery had been captured , hundreds of prisoners , and an indefinite amount of horses and mules . The country had been raided successfully . To the initiated that sentence speaks volumes in itself ; it means a country had been

devastated , plundered—private property not excepted—a people ' s feelings aroused to the highest pitch of exasperation . As a general thing , those captured from a raiding party get but sorry treatment . TMs successful expedition spoken of had been out seven claysand Avas Avithin one

, day ' s march of its home , or camp destination , Avhen the enemy , who had been folloAving Avarily , made an attack on the rear of the column , hi hopes of recapturing some of the plundered booty . The attack Avas soon and easily repulsed , but Avith the

loss of one officer and five men to the raiders , Avhich happened in this Avise : A little party of six made a dash into the Avoocls after the same number of rebels ; the chase became exciting ; several miles of ground had been travelled ; Avhen the rebels made a stand , and shoAved fight . " The Federal column had passed on its r oute ; the six troopers Avere not missed

until the next day . The Federal soldiers opened on them Avith carbines and pistols immediately , and thereby emptied six rebel saddles ; but the firing brought more rebel troops to the scene of action . Our little party still fired aAA'ay , until they saAv

themselves being surrounded , then they attempted to retreat to their column ; but , alas ! 'tAvas too late—they were hemmed in on every side ; they Avere raiders—need I say more ? No ; my horse threAv me from the saddle ; he Avas captured—and so Avas I .

" When I began to look about me , I found myself betAveen two regiments of Confederate cavalry ; I saAv no other Union prisoners besides myself ; I was hooted and jeered at ; one party rode up to me and demanded my armsanother wanted

, my spurs , another took a fancy to my coat and hat ; but one Avho considered that coats and hats coidd be bought Avith money modestly requested that I should give Mm something , if it Avas only my Yankee manufactured pocket book , Avith ¦ its

contents of greenbacks , as he had heard very much about such things , and Avished to see some . His wish had to be gratified , but my Avish to see the book and its contents again was never gratified . Next some one suddenly Avished to knoAV what time it Avas , and a special requisition Avas made for my Avatch , no objection being made to the chain and ornaments attached .

" Ihus far the privates had their OAVII way ; then I loudly protested against giving up my Avatch , as it had some Masonic engravings upon it , and Masonic ornaments attached to the chain . While pleading for the Avatch , an officer rode up and overheard a part of the conversation

, and , understanding that I Avas a Mason , took the Avatch from the trooper AVIIO had taken it from me , and put it in his own pocket , at the same time drawing his revolver and declaring that ho Avoulcl take charge of me and my property ; and , as the others seemed to demur at it . the officer

ordered me to Avalk ahead of him , at the same time telling the men that he Avould defend me Avith his life , and that he Avas bound to do it . " That officer Avas a Mason , and through his instrumentality my life Avas spared , for I Avas informed by one of the men who helped to strip me ( some time afterwards ) , that Avhen they had finished plundering me , I Avas to have been taken into the AVOOCIS