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

thcater IL the school OF morals which
seconds those Of the church. Our dra-
mas are simply sermons put into &C.
tion. There Is no piece In which virtue
is not iauded and vice anu hypocrisy
scourged. All, IL Is noble work, that
OF the comedian. In the eyes OF those
who understand ltv'
"What a pity this Artemon is not a
pre- chcrl' thought NJ Lamier. fasci-
mated. Ills large face. closely shaved.
with It's cheeks like a Dominican.
would look very well In n pulpit. and
his inslnuatlng voice and speaking
gestures would be very effective for
good"
Among us, dare to say. there are
many good fellows" continued Arte-
mon. United households. good moth
ers of families, good citizens, abound
with us"
lie proceeded TO cite examples. Mile.
Valerie. n child of the stage. who was
the support Of her parents; NJ. and
Mime. IIocharay. models Of conjugal ten
derness-one and all held their hearts
In their hands and never refused a
service or kindness TO comrade. never
refused to do n good work, good ac-
ton.
rs an actor ever TO be seen on the
culprits stool except for debtT' said
the comedian. bringing his warm pan
egyric TO close. 1T Is true we are,
for the most part. rowing grasshoppers,
and grasshoppers have not any more
chance today than they had in la
Fontaine's time"
The words were spoken with dis
couragement. owing to the immovabil-
ity of the cure. As hi spoke the actor
arose and brushed his hat with gloomy
energy.
"Well," he sighed. eve alone shall
pass sad Christmas while all the
world besides will he blithe and hap
by. NJ. le Cure, pardon me for having
taken up so much Of your time"
He turned toward the door.
The old priest aroused himself.
"Jeanne." he called In n loud voice,
full of the exaltation of triumphant
charity. bring me at once my new cas-
Sock
"Ah. NJ. Ie Cure" exclaimed the actor,
overcome 10y the unexpected success
and pressing the priests hands with eff
fusion.
As Jeanne entered with the cassock
upon her arm I'm great folds the priest
rebuked her for lettering.
"Now bring me my shoes with the
silver buckles. Run quickly! Why, a
snail would go as fast. Is It not so,
NJ. Actor? And a hat also-you must
have hat"
"WhatT' said Jeanne, shudderinC.
"Are you going to lend your clothes to
the theater. VI. le Cure-your new cas-
sock-you. who will hold mass at mid
night
Truly. do not ask so much,' pro-
tested Artemon, confused, while the
cure laid the cassock on bis arm. IAN
old cassock would serve my purpose.
beg that you will not deprive your,
self"
what are you thinking?" replied NJ.
Lamler. Beneath the robes my cas-
sock viii not be seen. while yours will
be. so 10 say, under fire. and II the
rents were viewed IL would be a pity.
The Able Constantin must not call
forth ridlcule."
'Ilow can we ever prove our graft
tudeT said the actor. his eyes actually
filed with tears. and he reiterated his
thanks until he had crossed the thresh-
old of the door.
MY dear fellow" said the cure in
trembling voice, fearing TO appear
TO place a price upon his kindness, "go
as quickly as possible. accomplish
what you have TO do and return when
the performance Is over to attend the
midnight mass. The good God will
thus be satisfied with you, and also"
ON this evening Artemon fairly vi.
bra,cd with emotions. surprising him
self in his acting.
When. before the gloriously illumi-
mated altar, the good pastor extended
his arms lovingly above the crowd
kn,eling before him, he trembled with
Joy to perceive, at the lower end of the
lateral aisle. among the workmcn and
lahorers. a group OF men and women
with weary faces and varied cos.
TUNES who bowed their heads re-