Questions And Answers.

Questions and Answers .

Q . 1 . —What is the real difference between P . M . 's of the lodge , and Past Masters in the lodge ? [ A P . M . ] A . —A P . M . of the lodge is one Avho has passed the chair , actually ; that is , presided for twelve months over the lodge , actually , by lawful election . A P . M . in the lodge is

one Avho has joined the lodge , as a subscribing member , being already a P . M . in another lodge . He is eligible to the W . M . ' s chair , is entitled to all the privileges of a P . M ., but there may be some legal doubt Avhether he can preside over the lodge « ntil he has been duly installed "W . M . of the lodge [ ED . ]

Q . 2 .-What is a Hiram 1 [ N . N . ] A . —A Hiram is an old Dame sometimes given to the gavel of the W . M . [ ED . ]

Monthly Odds And Ends.

Monthly Odds and Ends .

BY MAX ADELER . THE LIGHTNING-HOD MAN ' S MISTAKE . — Up in Blossburg , the other day , a lightnmgrod man drove up in front of a handsome edifice standing in the midst of trees and shrubs , and spoke to Mr . Summers , who Avas

sitting on the steps iu front . He accosted Summers , as the owner of the residence , and said : " I see you have no lightning-rods on this house . " " No , " said Summers . " Are you going to put any on ?" "Well , I hadn't thought of it , " replied Summers .

" Yon ought to . A tall building like this is very much exposed . I'd like to run you up one of my rods ; twisted steel , glass fenders , nickel-plated tips , everything complete . May I put one up to show you ? I'll do the job cheap . " " Certainly you may if you Avant to . I

haven't the slightest objection , " said Summers . During the next half hour , the man had his ladders tip , and his assistants at Avork , and at the end of that time the job Avas done . He called Summers out into the yard to admire it . He said to Summers ;

"Now , that is all well enough , but if it was my house , I'd have another rod put on the other side . There is nothing like being protected thoroughly . " "That's true , " said Summers ; "it would be better . " "I'll put up another—shall I ? " asked the man .

" Why , of course , if you think it ' s best , " said Summers . Accordingly the man went to work again , and soon had the rod in its place . " That ' s a first-rate job , " he said to Summers , as they both stood eyeing it . " I like such a man as you are . Big-heartedliberal

, , not afraid to put a dollar down for a good thing . There ' s some pleasure in dealin' Avith you . I like you so much that I'd put a couple more rods on that bouse , one on the north end , and one on the south , for almost nothin ' . " "ItAvould make things safer , I suppose /' said Summers .

"Certainly it would . I'd better do it , hadn ' t I—hey ?" "Just as you think proper , " said Summers . So the man ran up tAvo more rods , and then he came doAvn , and said to Summers : " There—that ' s done . Now let ' s settle up . " "DoAvbat ?"

" Why , the job ' s finished , and noAv I'll take my money . " " You don't expect me to pay you , I hope V " Of course I do . Didn't you tell me to put those rods on your house ?" "My house ! " shouted Summers . "Thunder and lightning ! I never ordered you to put

those rods up . It Avould have been ridiculous . Why , man , this is the court-house , and I ' m here Avaiting for the court to assemble . I ' m on the jury . You seemed to be anxious to rush out your rods , and as it Avas none of my business , I let you go on . Pay for it ! Come , noAv that ' s pretty good . "

The Blossburg people say that the manner in Avhich that lightning-rod man tore around tOAvn , and SAvore , was fearful . But Avhen ho got his rods off the court-house , he left permanently . He don't fancy the place .

THE PATENT OWICE , —We are glad to perceive that the state of the Patent Office is attracting public attention . A deputation has waited upon the Lord Chancellor , to urge that something should be done for the Patent Museum , which ought never to have been separated from the Patent Office ; and the members of the Society of Arts have been discussing how the large incomes received from patents may be best

applied to the advancement of science . One useful mode of employing some of the annual surplus of £ 80 , 000 would bo to prepare a general index to the patents . This has long been talked of , and has been retarded , we are told , first by tho uncertainty as to what Parliament would do respecting the Patent Laws ; and , secondly , because the late Master of the Eolls never attended the meetings of the

Commissioners , and the Attorney-General was opposed to it . Now that the principal officials are changed , the index will probably be put into hand at once . The new annual indexes are a hindrance , instead of a help to investigation ; and the partial classified indexes , however carefully compiled , can never supply the want of a complete index to every patent in the office . — Athenaum .