Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1899-12-21

i CuuISu NsSSVI0tlOAUs AAsN IL ~ - OAek5 ~
the chorus children who Innocent,
& opened the door Of the rectory and IN
Il trOduced the visitor into the room
i where the good cure was terminating
his deyotions. At the sight Of this ap
partition NJ. Lamier became fixed upOl
his seat like statue. His good, ros,
4 yisage. usually so calm, was now flush
ed to the roots Of his thin, white hair
and instinctively he clasped his bo0l
to his breast
Meanwhile satan's instrument bowed
deferentialiy. 4
NO, M. lie Cure" he said: sit is no,
aims we ask. Lend us simply youl
cassock!''
My cassock !" gasped the Able La
mier, astonished. You wish my cas-
sock ?!
..The oldest and most WORKOUT II
your possession, one that you may have
thrown aside,'' Artemon FASTENED ia
say. q am to play tonight the role OF
the Able Constantin, and I cannot rep.
resent my character without conform.
ing to its demands and carrying out its
sacerdotal dignity. = s385 &
NJ. Lamier sprang from his seat.
DO you think for 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 ex-
cuse.' 2
Pardon me, M. lie Cure continued
the actor, slightly embarrassed, but not
the less determined. ut 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, I was educated in q 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
N. Lamier, without being disarmed,
looked again at the actor with new
interest. II 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 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 eve?''
+ alas, NJ. lie Cure, /" replied Artemon,
with simplicity, 1--WE must eat on that
night, as on any othery'
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.
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
eacrilege and also to risk perverting
the souls Of those disposed to be fer.
vent?''
Artemon approached him contiden.
tally.
..l' You see, M. lie Cure, you have never
attended the theater.''
"But-well, certainly not replied
the able, startled by the very idea.
1T is for that very reason that you
regard it as a place Of evil. Why. the
theater 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 ana 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 q
preacherY' thought NJ. Lamier, fasci-
mated: His large face, closely shaved,
with it's cheeks like a Dominican.