The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1899-12-20

wim your uegesdonsi we must play
che piece at ans cost"
THE situation was critical for Che
poor artists whose present tour had
been Gar from successful Iho icod-
inE man then proposed 60 gallon at
full speed t3 che nelghboring city. but
this suggestion was not deemed prac
ticnble
"Whot s Co De donol There is not
one earb of Che required slnd among
The properties of this oocursel hole
repeated uochnry in an oulburst Of
impolcnt uge
Suddenly Artem0n struck his fore
head violently. and his entire bearing
denoted % genuine inspiration
"Ah, my friends" DE exclaimed. in
o. voice full of emotion, "what q wild
hope. $50 much che worse win att
tempt the adventure lt is our only
hope of salvation"
I'm a few words De explained.
"Come to my arms my sonW exc
claimed M. Hoclliy extending his
legs with enthusiasm.
And Artomon ram or TO finish his
shaving, Co don his black Crock coat
and chen direct bis steps 60 the cures
Happily for the actor Jeanne was
absent putting the last touches on the
church decorations, and &c was ,ono of
the chorus children who innocenty
opened the door of the rectory and in-
troduced the visitor into the room
where the good cure was terminating
bis dev0ti0na At the sight of this APP
partition NJ LGmler 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 instincdvely he claspcd his book
60 bis breast
Meanwhile satan's instrument bowed
deferentially.
''No H. lie Cure" he said; 'it is not
aims we ask. Lend us simply your
cassockW
"Afy cassockw gasped the Able la.
mler, astonished. "You wish my cas-
sockT'
'The oldest and most wornout IN
your possession, one that you may have
thrown aside" Artemon FASTENED TO
say. ~ ana to play tonight the role of
the Able Constantin, and I cannot rep
resent my character without conform
ing TO It's demands and carrying out IT'S
sacerdotal dignity"
NJ Lamier sprang from his seat
"Do you think for O. moment, mon
sieur" he said, overcome by surprise
and anger ITO profane q gown that has
served at worship and to make me the
accomplish Of these sinful amuse-
ments? Your ignorance respecting holy
things and religion Is your only ex-
cuse."
Pardon me, NJ. le Cure" continued
the actor, slightly embarrassed. butnot
the less determined ut would not be
the first time religion has lent it's aid to
the drama DO you recall the celebrat-
cd mysteries Of the middle ages2 More
over was educated Ia o seminary,
and It was there 7 was led to adopt the
vocation Of actor in playing the role of
Athalie s0r the fete of the superior"
al. Lamier without being dlsarmed.
looked again at the actor with new
interest IL 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 Il" said the able, with
bitterness, "that you play on Christ.
mas eveW
"Alas, NJ. le Cure" replied Artemon,
with simplicity eve must eat on that
night, as on any otherw
M. Lamier was touched TO the heart
by this reply "Poor fellowr The
soul Of the good priest was filed with
grief. He felt too unhappy to refuse
the speaker anything.
'But" he groaned, looking plaintlve-
ly at Artemon, "can you not choose
another piece rather than expose a
servant of God to the risk Of such a
Bacrilege and also to risk peryerting
the souls OF thoJe disposed to be fer
yent2"
Artemon approached him conhden.
TALLY
'You see M. le Cure, you have never
attended the theater"
"But-wen, certainly not" replied
the able, startled by the very idea.
cit Is for that very reason that you
regard &c as a place OF eyn. Why the
neater Us the school OK morals which
seconds those of the church. Our dra-
mas are simply sermons put into ac-
ton. There is no piece IN which virtue
is not louded and vice and hypocrisy
scOurged. Ain, it IS a noble work, that
Of the comedian, in the eyes of those
who understand itw
"What a pity this Artemon rs not
preocherl' thought M. Lamier, fasci-
mated "Hia large face, closely shaved,
with its cheeks Ike O Dominican,
would look very wen in a pulpit and
his insinuaung voice and speaking
gestures would be very effective FOR
good"
among us, 7 dare to say, there are
many good fellows" continued Arte-
mon. "Unisd households, good MOTH
ers Of families, good citizens abound
with use"
lie proceeded 60 cite examples. Mile.
Valerie, child of the stage who was
the support of her parentsi M. and
Mime. Hochnray models of coniugal ten-
deness-one and an held their hearts
in their hands and never refused a
service on Kindness to q comade, never
refused 10 do a good work, good ac-
ton
"ls an actor ever 20 be seen on the
culprIts stool except for debt| said