The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-12-20


to Jeanne, who had turned away with
majestic air, "are you sure that you
have not the cassock"
Scamp said the naughty house
keeper disdainfully.
Down the stairs NJ. Artemon flew
four steps at a time, and rushed fnto
the greenroom, where the rest Of the
company were assembled. His hurried
entrance filed them all with conster'
nation.
"Afy friends" he exclaimed tragic
ally, "the posters must be changed
or the performance postponed. 1 can
not play the role Of the Able Constan'
tin tonight"
"Artemon," said a cavernous voice,
"what, is the meaning Of this caprice
What Of the box office money, the eX-
penses of the programmes and the ad'
vertisements? You know as well as
do that we are at the end Of our re-
sources and that our last venture was
failure. Don't try your Mile. Mars
on us, my good fellow. We play to-
nightw
"But can you not understand?
have not q cassockw gasped the un-
happy Artemon, letting his arms fall
with detection.
Cannot q cassock be improvtsed
with q black dress and cloak Of one
Of the ladies" hazarded Hochary.
"The ladies are much too short and
slight" groaned Artemon, who re-
joiced in an imposing corpulency.
GAS for me, I have only the Figaro
costume, Peruvian pantaloons and the
black coat for Pierrot and a fowered
morning gown" said the manager pen
sively.
"For heavens sake, ladies, aid US
with your suggestions! We must play
the piece at any cost"
The situation was critical for the
poor artists, whose present tour had
been far from successful. The lead
Ing man then proposed to gallop at
full speed to the neighboring city, but
this suggestion was not deemed prac-
ticable, .
"What is to be done? There Is not
one garb of the required kind among
the properties Of this accursed hole"
repeated Hochary in an outburst OF
impotent rage.
Suddenly Artemon struck his fore
head violently, and his entire bearing
denoted a genuine inspiration.
"Ah, my friends" he exclaimed, IN
a voice full Of emotion, "what a wild
hope! So much the worse. / will at
tempt the adventure. 1t is our only
hope Of salvation"
In few words he explained.
"Come to my arms, my son" ex-
claimed. M. Hochary, extending his
legs with enthusiasm.
And Artemon ran off to finish. his
shaving, to don his black frock coat
and then direct his steps to the cures.
Happily for the actor, Jeanne was
absent putting the last touches on the
church decorations, and it was one OF
the chorus children who innocently
opened the door Of the rectory and in
troduced the visitor into the room
where the good cure was terminating
his devotions. At the sight Of this ap-
partition NJ. Lamier became fixed upon
his seat like statue. His good, rosy
visage, usually so calm, was now flush
ed to the roots Of his thin, white hair,
and instinctively he clasped his book
to his breast.
Meanwhile satan's instrument bowed
deferentially.
"No, NJ. le Cure" he said; "it is not
aims we ask. Lend us simply your
cassockw
my cassockw gasped the Able La
mier, astonished. "You wish my cas-.
sock?"
"The oldest anu most wornout In
your possession, one that you may have
thrown aside," Artemon FASTENED to
say. 81 am to play tonight the role of
the Able Constantin, and cannot rep
resent my character without conform
ing to it's demands and carrying out its
sacerdotal dignity" ...
N. Lamier sprang from his seat.
"Do you think for a moment, mon
sieur," he said, overcome by surprise
and anger, ito profane gown that has
served at worship and to make me the
accomplice Of these sinful amuse-
ments? Your ignorance respecting holy
things and religion is your only e1-
cuse."
Pardon me, NJ. lie Cure" continued
the actor, slightly embarrassed, but not
the less determined. 1T would not be
the first time religion has lent its aid to
the drama. Do you recall the celebrat-
ed mysteries Of the middle ages? More
over, was educated in seminary,
and it was there was led to adopt the
vocation Of actor in playing the role of
Athalie for the fete Of the superior"
M. Lamier, without being disarmed,
looked again at the actor with new
interest. If this unhappy man had
followed a bad calling, his point of
departure had at least been good. His
heart could not, therefore, be corroded
throughout, and perhaps it would be
possible to point out to him the error
Of his ways.
'How comes It," said the able, with
bitterness, that. you play on Christ.
mas ever
"Alas, M. lie Cure" replied Artemon
with simplicity, 1--WE must eat on that
night, as on any other"
NJ. Lamier was touched to the heart
by this reply. "Poor fellow" The
soul Of the good priest was filed with
grief. He felt too unhappy to refuse
the speaker anything.