To loiter a little longer at the sign of the _Royal Exchange_, which, by all accounts, always drew the best custom of the town, we find that, as long ago as Luke Vardy's time, it was a favorite resort of the Masonic fraternity, Vardy being a brother of the order. According to a poetic squib of the time,-- "'Twas he who oft dispelled their sadness, And filled the breth'ren's hearts with gladness." After the burning of the town-house, near by, in the winter of 1747, had turned the General Court out of doors, that body finished its sessions at Vardy's; nor do we find any record of legislation touching Luke's taproom on that occasion. Vardy's was the resort of the young bloods of the town, who spent their evenings in drinking, gaming, or recounting their love affairs. One July evening, in 1728, two young men belonging to the first families in the province quarreled over their cards or wine. A challenge passed. At that time the sword was the weapon of gentlemen. The parties repaired to a secluded part of the Common, stripped for the encounter, and fought it out by the light of the moon. After a few passes one of the combatants, named Woodbridge, received a mortal thrust; the survivor was hurried off by his friends on board a ship, which immediately set sail. This being the first duel ever fought in the town, it naturally made a great stir. [Illustration: JOSEPH GREEN Noted Boston merchant and wit, died in England, 1780 SATIRE ON LUKE TARDY OF THE ROYAL EXCHANGE TAVERN BY JOSEPH GREEN AT A MASONIC MEETING, 1749 "Where's honest _Luke_,--that cook from London? For without _Luke_ the _Lodge_ is undone; 'Twas he who oft dispelled their sadness. And fill'd the _Brethren's_ heart with gladness. For them his ample bowls o'erflow'd. His table groan'd beneath its load; For them he stretch'd his utmost art.-- Their honours grateful they impart. _Luke_ in return is made a _brother_, As _good_ and _true_ as any other; And still, though broke with age and wine, Preserves the _token_ and the _sign_." --"Entertainments for a Winter's Evening."]