The Treasure

By Frank A. Stuck

Donald Morse was about to become the youngest Master ever of the oldest (and one of the largest) Freemason lodges in Ohio. He had his agenda for the year all laid out, but a brother Mason and a longtime family friend would change Donald’s plans, sending him on a search that would cover three states and uncover information about his ancestors. And the journey began when, in the reception line following his installation, Hugh Frazure pulled him close and said, “I must speak to you about the treasure.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781638856580

Book preview

1

Donald Morse looked at himself in the full-length mirror. The bow tie wouldn’t sit level no matter what he did, but, all in all, he thought he looked good in the new tuxedo. He purchased it just for this occasion, though it probably wouldn’t be the last time he wore it.

The Masonic shirt studs, a gift from his father by way of his mother, brought home again the magnitude of this night. Donald Morse was to be installed as the Worshipful Master of Starshine Lodge #247 in Sand Hill, Ohio, not only the largest lodge in the district, but the largest lodge in the entire jurisdiction. With 1,382 members, Starshine Lodge was the leader in the jurisdiction of Ohio, and at the age of thirty-two, he would be the youngest Master in the history of the lodge. Even though he had prepared for seven years for this night, he now questioned his readiness for the responsibility.

Being a leader was not foreign to Donald. He was always the one the other kids turned to on the playground, or in the classroom, or in the youth group at church. When his father, Brian, was killed at the age of forty-six in a car accident, Donald, aged eighteen and recently graduated from high school, took over the family’s plumbing business. Although his mother, Irene or Renee (as she was known in the family), handled the financials, Donald was the boss. He became a certified plumber and gradually took the company from twenty employees to almost two hundred employees in just fourteen years. Donald was a leader.

In the Masonic lodge, there is a progression of seven chairs, which leads to becoming the Worshipful Master. The purpose of this progression is for the individual brother to learn, first of all, how to be a servant to the other members. It also serves to educate that brother in the workings of the fraternity. Each chair is held for a one-year term, and progression is obtained only by the consent of the brethren at large. Each chair carries with it certain duties, which help the brethren determine one’s readiness to progress to the next chair (or office).

The Master of the lodge is like the CEO of a large company. He is responsible for ensuring the business end of the local lodge runs smoothly, for the Masonic education of the candidates and brethren, and for the social functions of the lodge. Therefore, as any other person in such a position, in order to be successful, he establishes committees, delegating the duties for each to various junior officers and brethren.

The demonstration of wisdom, which typically comes with age, is an essential attribute for the Master and one that Donald had displayed abundantly and admirably since joining the lodge. Therefore, the members of the Starshine Lodge #247 respected and trusted his ability to serve as their Master.

One last look in the mirror, one more deep breath, he was ready. And what’s more? The members of the lodge knew he was ready.

2

Donald stepped out into a brisk night air on December 1, not quite cold enough for frost, but it would not be long in coming. He would drive himself the four and a half miles to the temple. His wife, mother, and sister-in-law were already there preparing for the reception. His two children, boys ages eight and six, were also there, trying hard not to be bored but also trying not-so hard to remain properly dressed.

As he was driving, he thought back to when and why he joined the lodge. It was his mother who encouraged him to join because his father and both of his grandfathers were members. Renee told him that, in her opinion, the lodge helped to stabilize the family unit through association with other like-minded families. Also, by being a member, he would be in contact with other men who could help guide him in his business life, not so much in sending him customers but in giving advice on important topics he may be facing. So at the age of twenty-one, and a full year before he married his wife, he petitioned the lodge and was accepted for membership. His only regret of the past eleven years was that neither his father nor grandfathers were there to see his progress in the lodge.

Turning the corner off of Clarendon Avenue onto Miller Street, he drove 150 feet and turned into the parking lot. He knew the other lodge officers would be there or arriving shortly, as would the Grand Master of Masons in Ohio, along with three or four of the Grand Line officers. The Grand Master holds the same position as the Worshipful Master, but over all the lodges within the jurisdiction, and would install the officers of Starshine Lodge #247 to their new chairs, something he rarely got to do because of his busy schedule. This was going to be a very big evening for Donald and Starshine Lodge #247.

3

And so, as Master of your lodge, it is not only your duty to lead, but it is also your honor to serve those who have elected you to this high office. Look well to the East and serve your brethren well. The Grand Master then shook Donald’s hand, placed him in the seat of the Worshipful Master, and the nearly three hundred people in attendance rose as one for a two-minute ovation.

In the reception hall, where finger sandwiches, cake, and punch were being served, Donald was busy shaking hands with what seemed to be close to a thousand people. My god, he thought, these people must have cloned themselves several times over. He felt like the smile on his face would have to be surgically removed. There was Drew Anderson, president of Sand Hill National Bank; Dr. Marvin Booker, chief of staff at Brooke Medical Center; Jason Fain, CEO at BMC; Mary Gilliam, president of the Chamber of Commerce; and the list went on and on. Hugh Frazure, a fifty-year member of the lodge, approached the new Worshipful Master, took his hand, and pulling the young man close, whispered in his ear, I must speak to you tonight before you leave. It’s about the treasure. I must speak to you. And then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd.

4

Grabbing a cold glass of punch before it was gone, Donald said, Honey, did you see where Hugh Frazure went? He came through the reception line and said he needed to talk to me tonight before I leave.

I think I saw him talking to Ken at the office door a little bit ago, said his wife, Beth, referring to Ken Jacobs, the lodge secretary.

Okay, thanks. I’ll try in the office.

As he made his way across the room toward the office, Donald was stopped by Nate Young, Ernie Smith, and Calvin Gregory, the three members installed earlier in the evening as the Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and Senior Deacon, respectively.

Hey, Don, did you talk to Hugh Frazure? Cal asked. He seemed pretty anxious to talk to you.

Donald replied, No. I was just trying to find him. He said he wanted to talk to me about a treasure.

Nate said, We wanted to talk to you about the agenda for the coming year. We have some ideas for fundraising and building maintenance.

Can’t it wait till the officers’ meeting next week?

Yeah, I guess so, said Ernie, but we were hoping to get a head start on the plans.

Donald looked at his watch. It’s almost 10:30, and I need to try to find Hugh to see what he wants. Let’s get together tomorrow at my house, say 4-ish, and we can discuss it then. Okay?

When he reached the office door, it was not only closed, but locked. He pulled out his cell phone and speed dialed Ken Jacobs, who answered on the third ring. Hello, this is Ken.

Ken, it’s Don Morse. Sorry to call so late, but did you talk to Hugh Frazure tonight?

Yes, just before I left the temple. Why?

He told me in the reception line that he needed to talk to me tonight. Did he happen to mention what he wanted?

Ken paused before he replied. No, he didn’t, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Hugh always has been a bit on the dramatic side.

Donald was busy running scenarios through his head while Ken was speaking. It was obviously too late to call, and the assisted living facility where Hugh resided would not be open to visitors until the morning, even though Hugh lived in the independent unit.

Okay, Ken. Thanks. I’ll try to get in touch with him tomorrow. Good night, and thanks for everything tonight.

He clicked off.

5

July 3, 1863

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Late afternoon

Luann Sanford

9 Commerce Street

Charlottesville, Virginia

My Dearest Luann,

I cannot tell you how much I miss you, miss being with you, miss seeing your beautiful face. If only I could hold you again in my arms, I am sure the horrors of this war would fade away.

Today, we attacked the Union line by marching in waves across an open field. Under the command of General Armistead, my regiment was in the second wave. As we made our advance, I saw many men on the ground, wounded or dead, I am not sure. Up ahead, I could see the General urging us on, his black hat on the end of his sword. I turned to encourage our men forward and tripped over a body, falling to the ground. When I looked up, I saw the General with his hand on the Yankee gun. It was then that he received two or three shots and fell back against the wall. I watched as a Yankee soldier approached the General to finish him off, or so I thought. I aimed my rifle at the Yankee and had him in my sights—I was only thirty yards away—and then realized that it was Henry Bingham from Connecticut, whom I had met several years ago in a Masonic lodge meeting. As I watched, Bingham was not attempting to finish off the General but was rendering aide. Please do not think me a coward, but I could not pull the trigger. I could not shoot a brother Mason, enemy or not, who was giving aid to my General.

I watched as several Yankee corpsmen loaded the General on a cot and, under the direction of Bingham, carried him away from the battlefield. At that point I heard the bugle sound retreat, and I ran just as fast as I could away from the fight. As I reached