The Owosso times., 1899-12-15

theater is the school Of morals which
seconds those of the church. Our dra-
mas are simply sermons put into ac-
tion. There is no piece in which virtue
is not lauded and vice ana hypocrisy
scourged. Ah 1t Is noble work, that
of the comedian, in the eyes of those
who understand it,!
"What pity this Artemon is not a
preacherw thought NJ. Lamier, fasci-
mated. "His large face, closely shaved,
with it's cheeks like Dominican,
would look very well in pulpit, and
his insinuating voice and speaking
gestures would be very effective for
good"
among us, / dare to say, there are
many good fellows" continued Arte-
mon. Omitted households, good moth
ers of families, good citizens, abound
with u.s."
He proceeded to cite examples. Mile.
Valerie, a child of the stage, who was
the support of her parents; Nj. ana
Nine. Hocharay, models of conjugal ten
derness-one and all held their hearts
in their hands and never refused
service or kindness to a cOmrade, never
refused to do good work, good ac-
ton.
'Is an actor ever to be seen on the
culprit's stool except for debtT said
the comedian, bringing his warm pan
egyric to a close 1T is true we are,
for the most part, rowing grasshoppers.
and grasshoppers have not any more
chance today than they bad in La
Fontaine's time" ND
The words were spoken with dis
couragement, owing to the immOvabil-
ity Of the cure. AS he spoke the actor
arose and brushed his hat with gloomy
energy.
"Well," he sighed, 1--WE alone shall
pass a sad Christmas while all the
world besides will be blithe and hap
py. NJ. lie Cure, pardon me for having
taken up so much Of your time"
He turned toward the door.
The old priest aroused himself.
Jeanne" he called i'm a loud voice,
full of the exaltatiOD Of triumphant
charity, "bring me at once my new cas-.
sockv'
"Ah, NJ lie Curew exclaimed the actor,
overcome by the unexpected success
and pressing the priests hands with eff.
fusion.
AS Jeanne entered with the cassocls
upon her arm in great folds the priest
rebuked her for lettering.
"Now bring me my shoes with the
silver buckles. Run quickly! Why,
snail would go as fast. Is 1t not so.
NJ Actor? And a hat also-you must
have hat"
"What?" said Jeanne, shuddering.
"Are you going to lend your clothes to d
the theater, NJ lie Cure-your new cas-
sock-you, who will hold mass at midi
night
"Truly, do not ask so much," pro-
tested Artemon, confused while the
cure laid the cassock on his arm. can
old cassock would serve my purpose.
beg that you will not deprive your
SELF
"What are you thinking?" replied M.
Lamier. Beneath the robes my cas-
sock will not be seen, while yours will
be, so to say, under fire, and If the
rents were viewed it would be a pity.
The Able Constantin must not call
forth ridicule."
How can we ever prove our graft
tude?" said the actor. his eyes actually
filed with tears, and he reiterated his
thanks until he had crossed the thresh-
old of the door Asa
"My dear fellow" said the cure in
a trembling voice, fearing to appear
to place q price upon his kindness, Ego
as quickly as possible, accomplish >
what you have to do and return when
the performance is over to attend the
midnight mass. The good God will
thus be satisfied with you, and 1 also"
On this evening ArtemOn fairly VIZ
brated with. emotions, surprising him
self in his acting.
When, before the gloriously illumi-
mated altar. the good pastor extended
his arms lovingly above the crowd
kneeling before him, he trembled with
JOY to perceive, at the lower end of the
lateral aisle, among the workmen and
laborers, group of men and women
with weary faces and varied cos.
tunes, who bowed their heads re-