Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-03-24
SATURNIN.
Ernest Benjamin.

Saturnin is n iugCler and an honest
man: he was married before the mayor
and before the cure, he loves his wife
like a bourgeois, and he amuscs tho pco-
pie like an artist. he is already as pop
uiar as a hero; he is tho Roscius of the
people.
He was born at Batignolles and at
BatiCnolles he desires to die. To he sure.
he visits every year the big cities of
France. Bordeaux, Toulouse. Lyons and
Marseilles. but his visits are of lightning
speed and ike Talma, who refused to
play when the .idicnce did not suit him.,
he does not iet himself go at any of
them. But at Batignolles, before this
audience of the elite that trcmbles and
vibratcs. 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 it happens that tonight, after
an absence of three months, he is about
to celebrate his home coming in his
greatest piccc:--he is going to play the
role of Don Pablo. the count of MonSi-
bclo, in ''The Hand of God, or the Re-
compense of Virtue"
1t is a gala night for all tho artisans.
the employees and the storekeepers of
Baticnollos. They have had dinner early
and rushed frantically through it. and
they are now dressing.
Saturnin's return is n great event.
These honest people arc going to amuse
themselves at little expense, their enthu-
siasm will be real, their applause sin
core ana their criticism just. SatlUnin
will be grandly fcted and he will have
deserved it.
Yet never has any day seemed longer
to Saturnin and never was there any
evening so cruel and deceptive.
All the time that the crowd was piling
gailY in upon the wooden seats, and while
the hand-organ was breathing the most
wonderful airs, and the heavy sous were
falling in handfuls into the iron box, put
there to receive them. Saturnin was hid
ing his face in both hands 10 stitie tho
sobs that were breaking his heart. Alas,
there in the green wagon with the mud
stained wheels, connected with the thea
tire by a travelling stairway. and which
serves at once as the artists green room.
the managers Office and private apart
ment, a sorrowful drama is being enact
ed. In this movable house, dragged by
n half pay horse who has tasted tho
grass of every country fair. there, in
the big bed. a woman Of thirty years
lies dying She is Saturnin's wife. 1t is
typhoid fever that is killing her.
Only last week she was as brisk and
gay as the birds in May, playing with
Don Fables halberd, sticking the black
beard on the chin of the wicked traitor,
mufning herself in the furs of the beau
tiful princess and holding Saturnin low
inGlv around the neck, saying:
"Thou art my lion-hero, superb and
generous"
Now. tonight, she is dying.
And Saturnin, the Hercules, wept, beat
ing the air with his big arms. shaking
the planks by his repeated walkings, sit
ting down, rising again, going out, com
ing back, overwhelmed and broken by
his sorrow.
The scene was terrifying. Already his
comrades. from force OF habit. have as
sumcd their costumes and are prepar-
ing the stage, but without any zeal ol
cagerness. They all love Saturnin ano
from moment to moment. come to hear
the latest news of the poor sick woman
II rs breaking their hearts. Under theii
splendid costumes, these people whose
business it is to laugh and cry without
desire. are. this time, weeping real tears
Their co~nstcrnation was at its height
when Saturnin, utterly crushed, de-
clared that he would not play.
Make the announcement. my good Ju'
Illus - he said to a boy as long as a daN
OF fasting and as wrinkled as the witches
Of Macbeth; "you can play the part Bui
understand, my children. count no more
on me, | am q finished man
"Saturnin, Saturnin, courage" replied
Julius; without you, nothing can b'
done! II were better to give back tn
money"
every well, give it back"
But just then, the sick one raised her
self in bed, her face pale, her lips color
less and drawn. and said:
"Saturnin, they have cheered thee
have they not? They are cheering the
again. Listen, how they clap theil
hands. They are calling thee. Go on Il
the stage, go and salute them, go. co.
He has gone,-good. You know the grea'
scene where he learns his wife is dead