The Butte inter mountain., 1903-12-30
INTER MOUNTAINS DAILY
SHORT STORY
SATURNIN
ERNEST BENJAMIN.

ular as hero; he is the Roscius Of the
people.
lie was born at Batignoles and at
tatignolles ne desires to die. To be sure,
he visits every year the big cities Of
l'rance--Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lyons and
Marseiles--but his visits are OF lightning
Npeed, and, like Talma, who refused to
play when the audience did not suit him,
he does not let himself go at any of them.
But At Batignoles, before this audience
Of the elite that trembes and vbratcs,
and feels and marks the strong places,
saturnin plays for all there is in him,
proud OF his art and content with his
public.
And so II happens that tonight, after
an absence of three months. he is about
10 celebrate his homecoming in his great
est piece he IS going TO play the role OF
Don Pablo, the count OF Mongibelo, in
The Hand Of God. or the Recompense Of
Virtue"
1t is a gala night for al the artisans.
the employees and the storckecpers of
Batignollcs. They have had dinner early
and rushed franticaly through it, and they
are now dressing.
Satnrnins return is a great event.
These honest people are going to amusc
themselves Al little expense, their cnthus'
asm will be real, their applause sincere
aud their criticism just. Saturnn will be
urandly fctcd and he will have deserved it.
II.
Vet never has any day seemed longer
20 Saturnin and never was there any even
ing 50 cruel and deceptive.
All the time that the crowd was pilng
galy III upon the wooden seats, and while
tie hand organ was breathing the most
wonderful airs. and the heavy sous we're
falling in handfuls into the iron box. put
here 10 receive them, Saturnin was hiding
his face in both hands to slifc the sobs
that were breaking his heart. Alas, there
III the green wagon with the mud-sianed
wheels. connected with the theater by a
travelling stairway and which serves at
once as the artists grcenroonl. the man
ayers Office and private apartment sor-
rowful drama is being enacted. In this
movable house. dragged by "A half pay
horse who had tasted the grass OF every
country fair. there in the beg bed,
woman Of 80 years lies dying. She is
Saturnin's wife. 1t is typhoid fever that
is killing her.
Dnly last week she was as brisk and
gay rs the birds in May. playing with Don
pablos halbred. sticking the black beard
on the chin of the wicked traitor. muffing
herself in the furs Of the beautiful princess
and holding Saturnin lovingly around the
neck saying:
Thou art my lionhero superb and
generous"
Now. tonight, She is dying.
And Sa,urnin. the Hercules. wept. beat
ing the air with his big arms, shaking
the planks by his repeated walkines. sit
ting down, rising again. going out COM
ing back, overwhelming and broken by
his sorrow.
The scene WAS terrifying. Already his
comrades. from force Of habit. have as
sumed their costumes and are preparing
the stage. but without any zeal or eager
ness. They all love Saturnin and from
moment to moment. come TO hear the latest
news Of the poor sick woman. II is break
ing their hearts. Under their splendid
costumes. these people whose business it
is 10 laugh and cry without desire, are,
this time, weeping real tears.
Their CONSERVATION Was AT its height
when Saturnin. utterly crushed, declared
that he would not play.
Make the announcement. my good Iu-
lius." he said 10 boy as long as a day
Of fasting and as wrinklcd as the witches
of Macbeth. You can play the part But
understand, my children. count no more
on me- am finished man.
'Saturnin. Salurnin, courage" replied
Julius Without you. nothing can he
done! 1t were better to give back the
money
Very well. give it back"
But just then the sick one raised her
self in bed, her face pale, her lips colorless
and drawn, and said:
'"Saturnin. they have cheercd thee, have
they not? They are cheering thee again.
Listen, how they clap their hands They
are calling thee. TO on to the stage, go
and salute them, go, Ollie has gone
good. You know the great scene where he
learns his wife is dead. 1t will be superb
tonight. am tired, oh so tired. Good
night. To your places, friends, and be
proud. Saturnin is with you."
III.
The fifth act is about to begin. The
sick one is dying softly the death iha.
''od keeps for his chosen ones. She
smiles, Saturnin is on his knee by the
bed, his face hidden in the coverct, his
arms hanging, his fingers tightly clenched.
Julius enters
"saurnin,' he says gently, 1T is thy
turn. thy great scene has come. 90, my
part is finished, | will stay with her. Be
content, will watch we'll"
And the poor man, springing up like a
man gone crazy, climbs the little stair
way with a single bound and goes upon
the stage, his hair in disorder and his
eyes wet with tears.
His entrance made the hall shake with
cheers. Then, intoxicated with this echo
Of former happy days, he plays his great
scene like master. His looks are wild,
his demcanor overwhelming his speech
has periods and gradatons where the tor
ture Of his soul is painted clearly.
His voice at first is filled with tears,
then supplication and now threats. 1t is
grand. Justice descends in the drama as
the day descends upon the earth.
At this moment Saturnn recognizes
julius step behind the curtain at the back
and hears the words:
1T is all over; she is dead"
Then, beating his face with his fists,
tearing out his hair by handfuls, his body
thrown back, he cries:
INV wife is dead She is dead do Won