Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-12-14

|
the greenrooSl. where the rest of the
company We're assembled. His hurried
entrance filed them all with conster-
nation.
"My friends" he exclaimed tragic
ally, THE posters must be changed
or the performance postponed. 1 can
not play the role Of the Able Constan-
tin tonight"
"Artemon." said cavernous voice,
what is the meaning of this caprice?
What OF the box office money. the ex-
pcnses OF the programmes and the adj
vertlsements? You know as well as
do that we are at the end of our re-
sources and that our last venture was
a failure. Don't try your Mile. Mars
on us. my good fellow. We play to-
nightr'
but can you not understand?
have not cassockv' gasped the I'M
happy Artemon, letting his arms fall
with detection.
"Cannot cassock be improvised
with a black dress and a cloak Of one
Of the ladies!" hazarded Hochary.
| "The ladies are much too short and
slight" groaned Artemon, who re-
ioiced in an imposing corpulency.
"As for me, | have only the Figaro
costume, Peruvian pantaloons and the
black coat for Pierrot and 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 tour had
been far from successful The lead
Ing man then proposed to gallop at
full speed to the neighborlng city, but
this suggestion was not deemed prac-
ticable.
what il to he done? There is not
one garb of the required kind among
the properties of this accused hole"
repeated IIochary in an outburst of
impotent rage.
Suddenly Artemon struck his fore
heaG violently. and his entire bearing
denoted Il genuine inspiration.
"Ah. my friends" he exclaimed, i'm
a voice full of emotion. what q wild
hope. So much the worse / will at
tempt the adventure. 1t is our only
hope of salvation"
In Il few words he explained.
Come to my arms, my SON" 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 il 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 ap-
partition NJ. Lamier became fixed upon |
his seat like statue. His good, rosy
yisage. usually SO calm. was now flush !
ed to the roots of his thin, white hair,
and instinctiyely he clasped his book
to his breast.
Meanwhile satan's instrument bowed
deferentially
mo, NJ. le Cure" lac said: cit is not |
aims we ask. Lend us simply your
cassock.'
"My cassockw gasped the Able La
mier astonished. You wish my cas-.
sock? p
"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 Constantine, and cannot rep
resent my character without conform
ing to its demands and carrying out its
sacerdotal dignity"
M. Lamier sprang from his seat.
''Do 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
accompllce 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
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 n seminary.
and IL was there was led to adopt the
vocation of actor in playing the role of
Athale for the fete of the superior"
NJ. Lamier. without being disarmed
looked again at the actor with new
interest. If this unhappy man had
n bad calling, his point of
departure had at least been good. His
heart could not, therefore. be corroded
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 ever
ALAS, NJ. lie Cure" replied Artemon.
with simplicity, I'VE must eat on that
night, ms on any otherv'
NJ. 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
he speaker anything.
But, he groaned, looking plaintive.
y at Artemon, "can you not choose