The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-12-23

ally, 18Th posters must be changed
or the performance postponed. | 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-
pepses of the programmes and the ad-
refreshments? You know as well as
do hat we are at the end of u re-
sources and tina our last venture was
a failure. Don't try your Mile. Mars
on us, my good fellow. We play to-
night!''
"But can you not understand? |
have not a cassockvs gasped the I'M
happy Artemon, letting his arms All
with detection
cannot a cassock be ~improvised
with a black dress and a cloak of one
of the ladies?'' hazarded Hochary.
ssThe ladies are much too short and
slight" groaned Artemon, who re-
joiced in an imposing corpulency.
aAs for me. l have only the Figaro
costume, Peruvian pantaloons end q
black coat for Pierrot and a lowered
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 our 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.
aWhat is to be done? There is net
n garb of the required kind among
the properties of this accused hole.D
repeated Hochary in an outburst OF
impotent rage.
Suddenly Artenon 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. l will at
tempt the adventure. 1t is u only
hope of salvation"
In a few words he explained.
Come to my arms, my SOM" ex-
claimed NJ. 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 1t was L of
the chorus children who innoeently
opened the door OF the rectory and in
troduced the visitor into the
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
yisage, 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
d~eferentially.
mo, NJ. lie Cure" he said; sit is not
aims we ask. Lend rs simply your
c~assockr7
my cassock!n gasped the Able La
mior, astonished. you wish my cas-
sock"
'sThe Oldest and most wornout in
your possession, u that you may have
thrown aside" Artemon FASTENED to
say. II am to play tonight the role of
the Able Constantin, and l cannot rep
resent my character without conform
ing to its demands and carrying out its
s~aeerdotal dignity"
II. Lamier sprang from his seat.
DO you think for a moment, NOM
sieur," he said, overcome by surprise
and anger, ito profane a gown that has
served at worship and to make me the
aecomplice of these sinful amuse-
ments? Your ignorance respecting holy
things and religion is your only ex-
cuse."
Pardon me, N. 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 a seminary,
and it was there I vas led to adopt tho
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 q bad calling, his point of
departure had at least been good. His
heart could not, therefore, be corroded
throughout, and perhaps 1t 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
ALIAS, M. lie Cure" replied Artemon,
with simplicity, I'VE must eat on that
night, as on any other!p'
NJ. Lamier was touched to the heart
by this reply. Poor fellowm The
soul of the good priest was filed with
grief. He felt too unhappy to refuse
the speaker anything.
But" he groaned, looking plaintive-
ly at Artemon, "can you not choose
another piece rather than expose a
servant of God to the risk of such a
sacrilege and also to risk perverting
the souls Of those disposed to be fer
vent?'
Artemon approached him confden.
TALLY.