The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-19
SIZE WENT 10 THE OPERA.
The Terrible Adventure OF tho Parsons
Music-iOving Wife.
From the Buraio Courter.

Music-lOving WIFE.
From The BuFdlo Courier.
1t was the parsons fault. A clergyman with
q music-lovinR wife ought TO know better than
to go out Of town to a missionary conference
Just on the eve OF a season of grand opera at
home. Perhaps he never thought of it. Cler-
gymen are not subject to the temptations that
beset the rest of mankind. Besides. he knew
nothing about music. One tune wis like an
other to him, and on the only occasion when he
went to an orchestra concert lie fell asleep in
the middle OF the second movement of the sym
phony and never walked up until the shrieking
Of the Nalkyries smote upon his ears at the
close OF the programme. So the parson went
away with no misgiving. To tell the truth. the
parsons wife had no premonition that she
would fall from grace. She meant to be good.
1t CHANGED that several worldly people called
on Friday and Saturday. Worldly as they were.
they loved music just as much rs she did, and
they could talk of nothing but the opera. They
were all going. They had boarded up their
money and bought their tickets, and heaven
would open Monday night at 8 sharp. The par
sons wife began to wish that the opera com pany
would stay away. Then she wished that II
would come and that her husband was a doctor
or II lawyer or a broker, or anything so that she
might be justified in going. Alas! who Is strong
TO stand tetnptation? She had hardly wished the
last wish when her husbands brother, a worldly,
amusement-loying fellow, came In.
Say" said he, come TO the opera Wednes-
day night, Jim's away and all the church folks
Will be nj prayer meeting, and nobOdyIl know
the difference, Sue and ! are going Monday and
Tuesday, but she Gays she doesn't care "A rap for
and she said she knew you'd enjoy IT,"
oh, you know | would. Fred, but would 1t be
"Right? OF course. Come on. tn do you
but you know. James thought he would be
home By Wednesday in time for prayer meet
ing"
well. I'll fix that. Look over your apparel
and come along. I'll call for You ut about half
The parsons wife had many. qualms during
the next few days. She said tn herself over and
over again that there is nothlnG wicked in opera,
unless II IL the ballet. She hoped there would
be no announcement Of a ballet, but there would
be one nevertheless. She wanted to know what
the, shocking thing is Ike.
She was relieved when she found herself In
the balcony Of the music hall Wednesday night
with not n soul %nywhere about whom she
knew, Presently two persons brushed past
heard a familiar voice cry, why. Sister Good
man! You here!"
.ta Ai"s; for mc 1nG nnT nf ,ns TifS; two We're Of ,n the
beside her. There was nothing for Il but to
ora it ont: They were (uTt as GTIPHble as
away" she said. And you. Why are you not
We'll, We couldn't stay away, either said
Brother Baldwin. lie saw that the parsons
wife was somewhat i'll at ease. and when the
curtain descended on the iirst act he diverted
why it looks as though most OF the fathers in
Israel were here tonight
WHAT What do you mean 2" asked tho
scandnliZed parsons wife.
why. way over there | see Brother sIddons.
and there's Father Blodgett down there In a
box, and"
Where's where?" cried the parsons wife clap.
ping her opera glasses to her eyes. you don't
mean TO say Father Blodgett would come to the
opera OF all things!"
Look out. look out! he's squirting up here
and hnil see you!"
The parsons wife involuntarily ducked. In
decd, tho opera was woll nigh finished before
she was assured that the venerable churChmen
whom Brother Baldwin had pretended To point
out were not In the audience. And she was glad,
for she did not think that the ballet would have
been good for them. when she got home whom
should she find thore hut the paTsOn himself,
who had arrived 10y n late tram. "GOOdness.
my dear" said he. looking Mt the clock. what
an extraordinary long meeting tonight"
Yes" said She, looking at her husbands
brother In aGonizing appeal, 1t was long"