Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1899-12-15


have not the cassockr'
scamp" said the naughty house.
keeper disdninfully.
Down the stairs VI. Artemon few,
four steps az time. and rushed into
the grccnroom. where the rest OF the
company were assembled. His buried
entrance filed them all with conster-
nation.
My friends" he exclaimed tragic
ally, the posters must be changed
or the performance postponed. ! can
not play the role OF the Able Constan-
tin tonight"
"Artcmon." said n cavernous voice,
what II the meaning Of this capricef
What Of the box office money, the ex-
pcnses of the programmes and the adj
vertlscments? You know as well a.
do that we are ut the end Of our re-
sources and that our last venture was
n failure. Don't try your Mile. Mars
on us. my good fellow. We play TO.
night
But can you not understand? |
have not cassock!' gasped the un-
happy Artcmon. letting his arms fall
with detection.
Cannot n cassock be improvlsed
with n black dress and n cloak of one
OF the ladlcsy' hazarded Hochary.
"'rhe ladies are much too short and
slight" groaned ArtemOn, who re-
joiced In an imposing corpulency.
AS for me. I have only the Figaro
costume. Peruvian pantaloons and the
black coat for Pierrot and n lowered
morning gown" said the manager pen
slyoiy.
"Flr heavens sake. ladies', aid us
wit, your suggestionsl We must play
u piece at any cost"
The situation was critical for the
poor artists. whose present tour had
been far from successful. The lead
In man then proposed 20 gallop Mt
full speed 10 the neighborlng city, but
this suggestion was not deemed prac-
tlcnblc.
what Is 20 be done? There Is not
one carb Of the required kind among
the properties OF this accursed hole"
repeated IIochary In an outburst OF
impotont rage.
Suddenly Artemon struck his fore
head violently. and his entire bearing
denoted a genuine inspiration.
"Ah. my friends" he exclaimed, I'm
"a voice full of emotion. what a wild
hope! So much the worse. | will at
tempt the adventure. II Is our only
hope of salvation"
In n few words he explained.
"Come TO my arms. my SOM" ex-
claimed NJ. Hochary, extending his
legs with enthusiasm.
And Artemon ran OF TO finish his
shaving. 10 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 II 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 dcvotions. At the sight of this APP
partition NJ. Lamier became fixed upon
his seat like statue. His good. rosy
visagc, usually 50 calm. was now flush
ed to the roots Of his thin. white hair.
and lnstinctlvely he clasped his book
10 his breast
Meanwhile satan's instrument bowed
deferentially.
NO. NJ. le Cure he said; lit is not
aims we ask. Lend us simply your
casSock!'
My cassock" gasped the Able La
mier. astonished. You wish my cas-
sockY'
The oldest and most wornout In
your possession. one that you may have
thrown aside" Artemon FASTENED To
say. Il am To play tonight the role of
the Able COnstantin. and cannot rep
resent my character without conform
ing to its demands ana carrying out its
sacerdotal dignity"
NJ. Lamier sprang from his seat
ADO 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-
mentsY Your ignorance respecting holy
things and religion is your only ex-
cuse."
Pardon me, NJ. L. Cure" continued
the actor, slightly embarrassed but not
the less determined. 1t would not be
the first time religion has lent It's aid 10
the drama. DO you recall the celebrat-
ed mysteries of the middle ages? More
over, | was educated in seminary.
and IL was there | was led TO adopt the
vocation of actor In playing the role of
Athalie for the fete of the superior"
NJ. Lamier, without being disarmed.
looked again at the actor with new
interest II this unhappy man had
followed bad calling. his point Of
departure had at least been good His
heart could not. therefore. he corroded
throughout, and perhaps II would be
possible To point out TO him the error
of his ways.
"IIow comes IT," said the able, with
bitterness, that you play on Christ.
mGs ever
ALIAS. NJ. le Cure" replied Artemon,
with simplicity, I'VE must eat on that
night. as ON any otherr
NJ. Lamier was touched 70 the heart
a.