340. Bros. Ginter, Burr, Hardman, Ward, Keiller, Bowessox, Nufer, Price and Colvin, all of 340, are firing out of Emporia. The brothers should profit by the failure of some of the firemen to pass the examination and begin to study up. for in this day of progression some of you may be called upon to go up. Good mechanical books are what will help you, but what is better is to take a course in some good technical school, such as the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pa. This school is reliable, and patronizes our MAGAZINE.

The railroad men experienced the hardest winter that has been known in this section in thirty years, as the temperature registered as low as thirty-one degrees below

zero.

Bro. Houle, formerly an employe of the Grand Lodge offices, is another one of the staunch B. of L. F. men at this place. He sits on the fireboy's seat-box and tells him how hard he used to work.

From 531.-(U. S. WILSON, Walsh, Ia.) Flowers have their time to come and go, and so it is with man. It devolves upon me to record the death of our late brother and friend, Walter J. Stone. Bro. Stone entered our lodge as a charter member. His conduct was ever that of a perfect gentleman and a true brother. He possessed an amiable disposition, a kind heart, and an ever thoughtful wish to make all about him happy. Called away as he was in the very budding of his life by the summons of the Most High, he leaves this world with but a glimpse of the sorrows, the afflictions and the cares of this transitory life. Well might we recall that solemn and sad stanza of our great poet, Longfellow:

"There is a reaper whose name is Death,
And with his sickle keen

He reaps the bearded grain at a breath,

And the flowers that grow between." How appropriate are these lines to the death of our departed brother, yet how touching! Life, with all its chaos of joys and sorrows, is sweet to all of us, and we cling to it till the sharp pang of parting soul and body leaves nothing but the dust of what was in this world- Life. Although it is but a journey to a more perfect world, yet the thought of leaving those who are near and dear to us, is a thought the mind does not care to dwell upon. But we must meet

the inevitable, and while we are in the midst of happiness we must suffer the departure of our dearest friends and brothers. Of the particulars of this death, the members of our lodge are all informed. For the first time in the history of our lodge, death has crossed its threshold. We as a Brotherhood mourn the loss of a brother. We deeply sympathize with the sorrowing parents and sisters of our deceased brother, and faithfully should we strive to meet him where brothers do not part, where sorrow is unknown, and where all is peace and happiness.

From 100 L. S.—(J. T. K., Joliet, Ill.) Our society was organized October 24, 1898, with nine charter members. We have taken into the lodge since, six new members. On the evening of January 16th the ladies gave a progressive cinch party to the members and friends of Stone City Lodge No. 355, which was a splendid success. The hall was nicely decorated for the occasion. Fifteen tables were played. The prize winners were Miss Tena Johnson, first, and President T. W. White, booby, for the ladies; J. J. Paterson, Master of 355, first, and Jas. Twohig, booby, for the gentlemen.

After delicious refreshments were served, two cakes were auctioned, from which the ladies realized a nice little sum. Art. Winterstein being the lucky purchaser. Although single, Art. knows how to appreciate good cooking.

Special thanks are due the committee on the efficient manner in which all details were carried out. At a late hour all departed for home in anticipation of a good time at the next party, to be given early in February.

From 267.-(NEW MEMBER, Algiers, La.) We have a good lodge at this place and are getting the firemen in this locality well organized, as we are taking in new members at almost every meeting. The boys here are beginning to realize the benefits of membership in our grand Order. We have ordered a new goat, as our old one is getting too aged and cannot do justice to the new comers. We will have the new one in soon, and will be ready for business.

Bro. Moynaugh said he was going to lay off for the Carnival, and his excuse to the "old man was that his back hurt. The "old man" told me that nearly all of the

the attendance at every meeting gave evidence of the esteem in which Bro. Maier is held by the people of this locality. Bro. Maier also held four meetings with our lodge while here, one of which was an instructive lecture on one of the best official publications in the country-the LOCOMO TIVE FIREMEN'S MAGAZINE- which we hope will result in great good. At the public meetings Bro. Maier was introduced by one of Yoakum's most brilliant orators, Mr. W. S. Broghy, and also by our honorable Mayor, B. P. Shepheson the latter gentleman delivering an address of welcome. The other railroad organizations were represented at these meetings by two delegates each on the stage. We wish to thank these gentlemen for the courtesies shown us at the entertainments.

From 502.—(“Flint SingletarY," Louisville, Ky.) We are glad that we can say that our lodge has taken a new lease of life and is enjoying a steady, healthy growth. On the 26th of January we were honored by a visit from First Vice Grand Master Hannahan, and we had five candidates ready for him to initiate—well, the fun we had can better be imagined than told. The members turned out well, and we enjoyed Bro. Hannahan's visit greatly, and the enthusiasm displayed by all our members since then makes us wish for another such visit in a short time. Since that meeting we have put three other new members through with great success, and have four applicants now awaiting the pleasure of the Hon. William Goat, and we have others to follow later on.

However, pleasures and sorrows go hand in hand. On the 21st of January Pride Lodge No. 502 was plunged in mourning by the death of our beloved brother and worthy Chaplain, Walter E. Cole. The respect and love that we had for our brother was greater than we knew, for like the roses of summer we never know how to appreciate them or how badly we want them till the blighting frosts of winter take them from our view.

Bro. Cole was taken sick with meningitis while at his post of duty and never regained consciousness until just before his death. His burial was conducted by the Brotherhood, with a large attendance, for he was loved and respected by all. It is but

our duty in cases of this kind to submit to the will of our God and to so live that when our time comes to go, we will be ready. Bro. Cole was but little more than twenty-four years of age and leaves a mother, brother and sister to mourn his loss. They, in their grief, have our deepest sympathy.

From 172.-(MEMBER, Ottawa, Ont.) Lodge 172 held its fifth annual ball on January 24, 1899, in Racquet Court, which was a brilliant and well-managed affair. The committee, consisting of Bros. Moran, Jackson, Johnson and Hollinton did their work well. For Bro. Hollinton, I can say, that, although he did more than his share of the work in arranging for the ball, that did not interfere with his ability to handle his feet on the night the entertainment was given, for he did the two-step in good style. We added a little to the finances of the lodge by giving this ball.

The lodge is growing right along, as we have handled about twenty candidates during the last year, and you may be sure the goat was well able to handle all of them, for some of them should have ridden him years ago, and, therefore, he had a grudge against them, at least they think so. I sincerely hope that our lodge will experience as much prosperity during the present year.

From 123.-("UPTY," Omaha, Neb.) I wish to state that Overland Lodge No. 123 is doing some splendid work for the good of the Order. They have a candidate for the goat almost every meeting, and the boys have a little more time in which to attend to lodge business, and work is a little slack up here on the Union Pacific at this time.

Woodbine Society No. 73 is also doing some good work for both Orders, and the sisters know how to treat the boys at joint meetings. Sister Doolittle knows how to make good coffee.

Bro. Charles Foster, who has been laid up for some time with an injured limb, will soon be on the deck of the 792 again, and we will be glad to see his smiles as we meet him from day to day along the line. Charley is a great hustler, and while he has been off duty he made the ball tickets go like hot cakes, and put up the posters to notify the public of the date of the B. of