Timothy could scarcely restrain his indignation sufficiently
to read these letters through. The insult here
practiced upon his father alone, called loudly for punishment,
but this, despisable as it was, seemed as nothing to
the awful guilt of Botherworth, in breaking his obligations
and turning the sacred rights of Masonry into mockery!
Shuddering at the very thought of the deep damnation
that the wretch had brought upon himself, our hero lost
no time in laying the case before some of the most experienced
and learned of the craft in the city, and finding
them unanimous in their opinion on this subject, he took
their advice as to the best manner of proceedure when he
arrived at the scene of action, and proceeded to make
preparations for an immediate departure for the spot to
which he felt that a high duty now called him, and to
which he was determined to hasten with no other delay
than that which might be required on his way to meet his
engagement with his Vermont brethren, at their approaching
festival.
Accordingly, the next day after a tender parting from
his city brethren—one of whom, I scarce need say which,
presented him with an elegant gold headed cane on the
occasion,—our hero took stage and bid a reluctant farewell
to the city, where every thing had conspired to contribute
to his happiness and to advance him in the path of
mystic greatness.
Nothing worthy of relation occurred on the two first
days of his journey—and on the second night, he had the
pleasure of grasping the trusty hand of his old friend
Jenks, at his home in the Green-Mountains.
