The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-12-28
THE HENDERSON GOLD LEAF

with your suggestions. We must play
the piece at any cost
The situation was critical for the
Door artists, whose present tour had
been far from successful. The lead
in, 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 accused hole
repeated Hochary in an outburst OF
impotcnt rage.
Suddenly Artemon struck his fore
head violently. and his entire bearing
denoted genuine inspiration.
"Ah, my friends" he exclaimed, in
q voice full Of emotion, what wild
hope. SO much the worse. | Will at
tempt the adventure. It is our only
hope Of salvation
Iii a few words he explained.
Come to my arms my son. ex-
claimed NJ HocLary. 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, ard 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 APP
partition NJ. Lamier became fixed upon
his seat like a 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. lie Cure" he said; 'it is not
aims we ask. Lend US simply your
cassOck"'
My cassock." gasped the Able La
mier, astonished. You wish my cas-
sock!''
The oldest and most WORKOUT in
your possession, one that you may have
thrown aside" Artemon FASTENED to
say. Il aln to play tonight the role Of
the Able Constantin, and | cannot rep
resent my character without conform
ing to its demands ana carrying out it's
sacerdotal dignity
NJ. Lamier spranG from his seat.
DO you think for q moment, mon
sieur,' he said, overcome by surprise
and anger, "to profaEc a gown that has
~,
accomplish of these sinful amuse-
ments? Your ignorance respecting holy
things and religion is your only eX-
cuSe."
Pardon me, NJ. lie Cure" continued
the actor, slightly embarrassed, but not
the less determined. 1T would not be
tie 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 a seminary,
and it was there was led to adopt the
vocation of actor i'll playing the role Of
Athale for the fete of the SUPERIOR"
NJ. Lamier, without being Iisarmed,
looked again at the actor with new
interest. If this unhappy man had
AoiicN GU u Dd'I ittlliil- MS )OlHI u
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 cve|
ALAS, NJ. lie Cure" replied Artemon,
with simplicity, I'VE must eat on that
night, as on any other.'
Nj. Lamier was touched to the heart
by this reply. poor fellowr The
soul of the good priest was filled with
grief. He felt too unhappy to refuse
the speaker anything.
But he groaned. looking plaintive-
ly at .trtemon, "can you not choose
another piece rather than expose a
servant Of God to the risk of such
sacrilege and also to risk perverting
the souls of those disposed to be fer.
ventT'
Artemon approa ched him confiden.
TALLY.
you see. NJ. lie Cure. you have never
attended the theater''
"But-well. certainly not" replied
the able, startled by the very idea.
ut Is for that very reason that you
regard it as a place Of evil Why. the
thcater is the school Of 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 lauded and vice and hypocrisy
scourged. All. it is a noble work, that
of the comedian, in the eyes Of those
who understand it,
"What a pity this Artemon is not a
preacher"' thought NJ. Lamier, fasci-
mated. His large face, closely shaved,
with it's cheeks like a Dominican.
would look very we'll in pulpit, and
his insinuating voice and speaking
gestures would be very effective for
good"
Among us, I dare to say, there are
many good fellows" continued Arte-
mon. United households, good moth
ers of families, good citizens. abound
with US
He proceeded to cite examples. Mile.
Valerie, child of the stage, who was
the support of her parents; NJ. and
Nine II ocharay, models Of cOnjugal ten
derncss-one and all held their hearts
in their hands and never refused a
service or kindness to cOmradc never
refused to do good work. a good ac-
ton.
us an actor ever to lie seen on the
culprit's stool except for debit" said
the comedian, bringing his warm pan
egyric to 4 close. 1T is true we are,
Tor the most part. rowing grasshOppers,
and grasshoppers have not any more
chance today than they lad in La
Fontaine's time
The words We're spoken with dis
couragement. owing to the immoyabil-
lty of the cure. AS he spoke the actor
arose and brushed his hat with gloomy
energy.
We'll" he sighed, Eve alone shall
pass a sad Christmas while all the
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