The Sign Of A
Freemason
A Quaker Mason formed one of an indiscriminate company of cowans at an inn,
where the landlord was also a Brother. Numerous jokes were cracked at the
expense of the Fraternity, and the Quaker was called upon to show them a Mason's
sign.
One of the company offered to give him a bottle of wine if he would comply
with their wishes; and, at length, though with much apparent reluctance, he
agreed, on the condition that the wine should be immediately produced, and that
the individual consented to receive the communication privately; the Quaker
adding: "Friend, if thou does not confess to the company that I have shown thee
a Freemason's sign, I will pay for the wine myself."
The proposition was too reasonable to be refused, and the curious candidate
for Masonic knowledge retired into another room with his formal friend. When
there, the following dialogue took place:
Quaker: "So friend, thou are desirous of seeing a Freemason's
sign?"
Cowan: "I am."
Quaker: "Canst thou keep a secret?"
Cowan: "Try me."
Quaker: "Good! Thou knowest that our friend Johnson (the
innkeeper) is a Mason?"
Cowan: "I do."
Quaker: "Very well." Then taking him by the arm, he led him to
the window. "Dost thou see that ramping lion which swings from yonder upright
post?"
Cowan: "To be sure I do - it is our landlord's sign."
Quaker: "Good! Then friend, our landlord being a Freemason thou
art satisfied that I have shown thee a Freemason's sign, and thy bottle of wine
is forfeited. For thy own sake, thou wilt keep the secret."
The cowan returned to the room with a look of astonishment, confessed that he
had received the desired information; and the mystery, which he had purposely
observed, tempted others to purchase the secret at the same price
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