The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-15
She Went to The nnern.

1t was the parsons fault. A clergyman
with music-loving wife ought to know
better than to go out of town to a mis-
sionary conference just on the eve of a
season of grand opera at home, says the
Buffalo Courier. Perhaps he never
thought of it. Clergymen are not subject
to the temptations that beset the rest of
mankind. Besides he knew nothing about
music. One tune was like another to him.
and on the only occasion when he went
to an orchestra concert he fell asleep in
the middle of the second movement of
the symphony, and never walked up I'M
Ill the shrieking of the Valkyries smote
upon his ears at the close of the pro-
gramme. So the parson went away with
no misgiving. To tell the truth, the par
sons 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 as 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 sharp. The
parsons wife began to wish that the
opera company would stay away. Then
she wished that il would come, and that
a LAWYER
or a broker, or anything, so that she
might be justified in going Alasl who is
strong to stand temptation. She had
hardly wished the last wish when her
husbands brother, a worldly, amusement
loving fellow came in.
Say" said he. come to the opera
Wednesday night. Jim's away, and all
the church folks will be at prayer meet
ing, and nobody'H know the difference
Sue and I are going Monday and Tuesday
but she says she doesn't care a rap for
this 'A-dea or Idea or whatever you
call it, and she said she knew you'd en-
joy it,
"Oh, you know would Fred but would
it be right?'
Right? of course. Come on. Ten do
you good"
But you know James thought he would
be home by Wednesday in time for prayer
meeting"
well, I'll fix that. Look over your APP
parel and come along. I'll call for you at
about 1880"
The parsons wife had many uualns
during the next few days. She said to
herself over and over again that there Is
nothing wicked in opera, unless il is the
ballet She hoped there would be no an
nouncement of a ballet, but there would
be one, nevertheless. She wanted to know
what the shocking thing is like.
She was relieved when she found herself
in the balcony Of the music hall Wednes-
day night with not a soul anywhere about
whom she knew. Presently two persons
brushed past them and sank into the next
seats, and then she heard familiar voice
cry "Why, Sister Goodman! You herew
Alas! for the parsons wife, two of the
staunchest members of the church were
there beside her. There was nothing for
IL but to brazen II out. They were lust
as culpable as she was. YES I'm here. 1
just couldn't stay away" she said. And
you. Why are you not at church,"
well. we couldn't stay away, either"
said Brother Baldwin. He saw that the
parsons wife was somewhat An al ease
ana when the curtain descended on the
first act. he diverted himself at her ex-
pense. Dear me-" said he. why. n
looks as though most Of the fathers In
Israel were here tonight"
WAT? What do you meap?" asked the
scandalizcd parsons wife.
why, way over there / seen Brother
Siddons. and there's Father Blodgett
down there IN a box, and"
'WnereF where"' cried the parsons
wife. clapping her opera glasses to her
eyes You don't mean 70 say Father
Blodgett would come TO the opera OF an
things?'
Look OUT look OUT" he's squirting up
here ana he'll see YOU"
The parsons wife Involuntary ducked
Indeed, the opera was well nigh finished
before she was assured that the venerable
churchmen whom Brother Baldwin had
pretended 30 point 0ut were not in Tho
audience. And she was glad. for she dld
not think that the ballet would have bean
good for them. When she got home whom
should she una there but the parson him
ser. Who had arrived by late train
Goodness, my dear said he. looking al
the clock what an extraordinary long
meeting Tonight"
Yes, said She. looking at her hus.
was long"