Ancient Accepted Rite.

nor her children Avere forgotten ; they Avere nearly sulfocatcd with kisses from gentle ladies AVIIOSO hearts had been involuntarily moved . The original tableau pre-arranged by the " lads and lasses " foiled , for they had not

prepared for those emotions engendered by the " cunning of the scene "—that fulness of the heart , SAvelling almost to bursting , the tightening sensation at the throat , the exquisitely refined sensibility that causes the blood to groAV excited and depressed , Avhich the consciousness of a noble ancl

generous act to bo performed generates m the soul . When order Avas at length restored , tho guests of the occasion Avere conducted to the head of the table . Bro . Hope then addressing tho AVICIOAV , said that learningshe preferred to engage in the business of

keeping boarders , the lodge had leased the house in Avhich they Avere assembled , had completely furnished it , engaged servants , and the boarders were already in the parlor , many of Avhom Avere Masons . " The ladies AVIIO remain with you Avill render all

the assistance in their poAver until you deem yourself capable of taking entire charge . And that you may not misconstrue our acts , let me state that this is no act of charity ; and that you may be entirely relieved from any embarrassment in that

regard , or forfeit your personal independence , it has been arranged that , out of the profits realized from your business , you

may pay from time to time such sums as may bo convenient , toward liquidating the outlay incurred by the lodge . Whatever Ave may have done or accomplished , AA'as ail imperative DUTY , but in no sense charity /" ihe sudden change from prospective

penury and destitution to comparative affluence , Avithout exertion or solicitation on her part , and to be surrounded and sustained by such friends , Avas almost too much for the AvidoAV—sheAvas overwhelmed . The company AverenoAv invited to partake

w the good cheer before them . Mrs . blldns could not take part Avith them , but « i company Avith Mrs . Hope inspected her U ° domain . At a late hour the company separated with light hearts . When all had . departed , the AVICIOAV gathered her children around her , and kneeing , poured out her soul in thanksgiving aud praise to Him Avho " tempers the Avind

to the shorn lamb , " then rising and drying her tears , she retired to that rest AAdiicli had for so many Aveeks been denied her . Mrs . Elkins was highly successful in her ueAv business , and in less than three years Avas clear of debt . Her son Charles , noAV

fifteen years of age , had , through the influence of friends , entered as a student in the office of an eminent member of the bar , Avbile the IAVO girls , Laura and Ella , remained Avith her . Throe years passed ; Bro . Hope had re ¦ tired from the East , and tho gavel was assumed by Bro , Burton , Avho still boarded Avith the AvidoAV . Our Avhilom friend Avas

IIOAV approaching the ago of forty , and Avas a splendidly preserved bachelor , and not unfair , It had been observed for a year past that Bro . Burton had conceived a distaste for his old social habits , spending most of his evenings at home . It Avas also noticed that those eA enings Avere usually

spent Avith the AVMOAV , and many little coquetries Avere becoming manifest . The AvidoAV , iu her younger days , had been one of the reigning belles , ancl at thirty-five her matured charms Avere very attractive to our cood-natured bachelor . Suffice it to

say that Mrs . Elkins became Mrs . Burton , Bro . Burton , Avho had retired from business , purchased an estate in the suburbs , the boarding-house Avas relinquished , and they determined to pass their days in peace and comfort .

Years passed ; tho daughters of Elkins married . Charles , the son , had graduated , Avas admitted to the bar , and on attaining his majority became a member of the old lodge , Avhen last heard from Avas its "Worshipful Master , and had attained the Grade

of Perfection in the Ancient Accepted Rite . Mr . and Mrs . Burton are still living , Avith two young Burtons ( brother and sister ) to cheer their pathway , ancl remind them of the romantic past . This beautiful and touching narrative

( the facts of Avhich are Avithin our personal knoAvledge ) points a most instructive moral , which Avill be readily appreciated , especially at this time , Avhen ( in the State of NGAY York ) the Heaven-born charities of the fraternity are forbidden ( by statute ) to all

saA e those Avhose fiscal responses assume the shape of business , and Avhose Masonic conduct is regulated by dollars ancl cents . May Ave not hope for a speedy return to the good old customs of bye-gone days , M 2