The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-12-29

attended the theater."
"Rut-well. certainly not" replied
the able. startled by the very idea.
1T is for that very reason that you
regard II as n place OF evil. Why. the
theatef is the school Of morals which
seconds those Of the church. Our dra-
mas are simply sermons put into &C.
ton. There is no piece in which virtue
Is not lauded aud vice anu hypocrisy
scourged. All. it Is noble work. that
Of the comedian, In the eyes Of those
who understand it"'
"What pity this Artemon 10 not a
preacher" thought NJ. I.amicr. fasci.
mated. His large face. closely shaved.
with its cheeks like a Dominican.
would look very well in pulpit. and
his nsinuating 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 u.s."
He proceeded to cite examples. Mile.
Valerie. child Of the stage who was
the support of her parents; NJ. and
Nine. Hocharay. models of conjugal ten.
derncss-one and all held their hearts
in their hands and never refused a
service or kindness to n cOmrade, never
refused to do good work. q good &C.
ton.
els an actor ever to be seen on the
culprit's stool except for debt" said
the comedian. bringing his warm PAN
egyric to n close. ut Is true we are.
for the most part, rowing grasshoppers.
and grasshoppers have not any more
chance today than they had in La
Fontalne's time"
The words were spoken with dis
enlargement. owing to the immovabil-
ity Of the cure. AS he spoke the actor
arose and brushed his hat with gloomy
energy.
"Well," he sighed. 1--WE alone shall
pass sad Christmas while all the
world besides will be blithe and hap
by. NJ. lie 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 loud voice.
full of the eXaltation OF triumphant
charity. "brlng me ut once my new cas-.
| socE!
"Ah. NJ. lie Cure" exclaimed the actor,
overcome by the unexpected success
and pressing the priests hands with ef.
fusion.
AS Jeanne entered with the cassock
upon her arm In great folds the priest
rebuked her for lettering
Now bring me my shoes with the
silver buckles. Run quickly! Why. q
snail would 80 us fast. Is it not So
Nj. Actor? And a hat also-you mus,
have a hat"
"What?' said Jeanne. shuddering
"Are you going to lend your clothes tc
the theater. NJ. lie Cure-your new cas-
sock--you. who will hold mass at mid
night
"rruly. do not ask so much" pro
tested Artemon. confused. while thu
cure laid the cassock on his arm. "Ar
old cassock would serve my purpose.
beg that you will not deprive your
self"
"What are you thinking?" replied NJ
I.amicr. Beneath the robes my cas-
sock will not be seen, while yours viii
be. SO to say. under fire, and If thu
rents We're viewed it would be pity
The Able Constantin must not cal
forth ridicule"
How can we ever prove our graft
tudey" said the actor. his eyes actual.
filled with tears. and he reiterated hi!
thanks until he had crossed the thresh
old Of the door.
my dear fellow" said the cure ii
d trembling voice, fearing to appear
to place price upon his kindness. "gt
as quickly as possible. accomplish
what you have to do and return wher
the performance is over to attend the
midnight mass. The good God viii
thus be satisfied with you, and also
On this evening Artemon fairly vi
brated with emotions. surprising him
self in his acting.
When, before the gloriously illumi
mated altar, the good pastor extended
his arms lovingly above the Grove
kne cling before him. he trembled will
joy to perceive. at the lower end of the
lateral aisle. among the workmen anG
lahorers. a group Of men and womer
with weary faces and varied cos
tunes. who bowed their heads re
L-,---.E