The Irish standard., 1902-04-05

II
without coming to a conclusion.
Anton Lang worked on placidly ut
his pottery. He could think of no fit
i successor to Joseph Mayer, the patri-
arch.
One day a shadow fell in the door
/ of Anton Lang's shop. He looked up
II and saw Joseph Mayer standing there.
! The young man felt that it was great
honor to be visited by the greatest per-
4 sonage of the village and rose respect
fully to attend to his commands.
simply, they have chosen you for the
part of Christus; the choice is we'll
made. Come to me and I will teach
you all 1 know"
The young potter was dumbfounded.
He protested his untitness-that he
was unworthy of so great an honor.
''You are chosen.' said Joseph May
er; "that is enough
To his amaZement Anton Lang
found that all the village cordially ap-
\ proved his selection as Joseph Mayors
successor as the divine character Of
+ the passion Play Best of all,
I Blacksmith Ruiz congratulated him,
and Mathilde smiled upon him rs she
never had done before.
Now the young man fixed all his
thoughts on his great task. Under the
influence of those thoughts his face
seemed to take on more and more the
look which the great painters have
caused to become the conventional ex-
preston Of the features of the Saviour.
! Advised by Joseph Mayer he allowed
his abundant hair to grow untouched
by shears, and by the following spring
it fell to his shoulders.
During these days of preparation for
\ the great event there was no lovc-mak-
ing. No words had conveyed to Anton
Lang that his suit for the hand Of
Mathilde Ruiz prospered any better Oh
account Of the honors he had gained.
In "Passion Play" years that vcnerat-
ed observance takes precedence Of all
worldly matters for months before and
for weeks after the scenes of Christ's
passion, trial and death have been en-
acted.
Only because they cannot keep the
thousands of visitors away do the viii
layers prepare for their accommodate
tions, though the money thus spent In
the village in 1890 and 1900 supports
Its hospital and gas works, paves it's
streets, lays its sewers, supports it's
Jail, cares for it's poor and maintains
every other institution for the public
good.
At last all was ready. Because of
the enormous number Of visitors who
had sought tickets of admission and
accommodations in the village, there
were to be this year more than Il score
of performances. scattered through
June, July and August. Joseph Mayer
was indeed glad he had permitted an
other to take the crucial part. 1t was
an ordeal that might we'll have fright
4 ened one more lusty of body and stout
of heart than Anton Lang. He thought
he was about to do. and was calm.
though wholly ensrossed by his task.
Day after day, in the presence OF a
vast and silent multitude, in which
royalty had it's representatives, and
politics, arts. letters and science many
! of it's chief personages. he received his
sentence from Pontius plate. bore the
heavy cross to the mimic Calvary,
hung upon it with aching limbs and
appeared serene and glorious in the
apotheosis.
1t was Il great triumph from the
first day. Joseph Mayer declared that
the part had never been better acted.
/ Famous artists and literary men con-
graduated the young man, who was
now first citizen of Obcrammcrgau and
Sof worldwide reputation
Some of the young men and women
LII lllc CIpl us "IiSlitltu W N't'li 'lli'i
Z that if Anton Lang would speak now
Mathilde Ruiz would not refuse to
listen. They had seen her gazing at
him proudly, yet with tears in her
eyes, from her place behind the scenes.
III the young man had any intimation
gof this, he made no sign. He did not
appear in the least proud of his elcva-
Stion, and on the day when Anna
5Flunger was i'll and NIathildc Ruiz
took her place as the Virgin Mary his
humility seemed more marked than
ksusual.
q When the last performance had been
sgiven, Anton Lang enjoyed a few days
rest, and then went quietly back to
work making pots and jars. He had
several inches cut from his burden
some locks, and was once more simply
$one of tile industrious young men Of
this most industrious Bavarian village.
b Gradually he resumed his courtship
Hof the blacksmith's daughter. Appar
emily he was the last to discover that
his case was already won, for only a
week ago was the engagement an
Enounced.
S Miss Ruiz, who made many friends
among distinguished visitors to ODER