The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-12-22
aims ~. ask Lend u. simply your cas-

| SOck2' AT 4 N
THE Oldest and most wornout in your
possession, one that you may nave thrown
aside" Artemon fastened to say. II am
to play tonight the role of the Able Con-
stantin, and / cannot represent my char
acter without conforming to Its demands
and carrying out its sacredotal dignity"
NJ. Lamier sprang from his seat.
do yoM think for a moment. mon
sieur," he said. overcome by surprise and
anger. 'to profane a gown that has
| served at worship and to make me the ac-
complete of these sinful amusements?
| Your ignorance repecting holy things and
religion is your only excuse"
Pardon me, NJ. lie Cure" continued the
actor. slightly embarrassed, but not the
less determined. ct would not be the
first time religion has lent its aid to the
drama. DO you recall the celebrated mys-
teries of the middle ages? Moreover, I
! was educated in a seminary. and 1t was
there I was led to adopt the vocation OF
actor in playing the role OF Athal.e for the
fete Of the superior"
NJ. Lamier without being disarmed,
looked again at the actor with new inter-
est. If this unhappy man had followed a
bad calling, his point Of departure had at
least been good. His heart could not,
therefore be corroded throughout, and
perhaps it would be possible to point out
to him the error of his ways.
How comes It," said the able, with
bitterness. that you play on Christmas
ever"
Alas NJ. lie Cure" replied Artemon,
with simplicity. I'VE must eat on that
night. as on any other!"
NJ. Lamier was touched to the heart by
this reply. Poor fellow!" The soul Of
the good priest was filled with grief. He
felt too unhappy to refuse the speaker
anything.
But" he groaned. looking pla.ntively
at Arteman, .'can you not choose another
piece rather than expose a servant of God
to the risk of such q sacrrilege and also
to the risk of such a sacrilege and also
posed to be fervent?"
Artemon approached him co%nfdentially.
You see. NJ. lie Cure, you have neve,
attended the theater.''
"But-well. certainly not replied the
able, startled by the very idea.
ut is for that very reason that you re-
! gard 1t as a place of evil. Why, the the.
, ater is the school of morals which Sec
onds those of the church. Our dramas
are simply put into acton. There
is no piece in which virtue is not lauded
and vice and hypocrisy scourged. All, IL
is a noble work. that of the comedian. in
the eyes Of those who understand it,"
What a pity this Artemon is not q
preacher!!" thought NJ. Lampier, fasci-
mated. His large face, closely shaved,
with its cheeks like a Dominican, would
look very well in a pulpit, and his insin.
uating voice and speaking gestures would
be very effective for good"
among us, I dare to say, there are
many good fellows" continued Artemon.
United households, good mothers Of fam.
lilies, good citizens, abound with US"
He proceeded to cite examples. Mile.
Valerie, a child of the stage, who was
the support of her parents; NJ. and Nine.
Hocharay, models of conjugal tenderness
l-one and all held their hearts in their
hands and never refused a service or
kindness to a comrade, never refused to
do a good work. a good action.
rs an actor ever to be seen on the Gull
prit's stool except for debit" said the
comedian, bringing his warm panegyric
to a close. 1T Is true we are, for the
most part, rowing gr-asshoppers. and
gr%asshoppers ave not any more chance
today than they had in La Fontaine's
time"
The words were spoken with discour-
agement. owing to the i~mmovability Of
the cure. As he spoke the actor arose and
brushed his hat with gloomy energy.
well" he sighed. I'VE alone shall pass
a sad Christmas while all the world be-
sides will be blithe and happy. NJ. lie
Cure. pardone me for having taken up 70
much of your time"
He turned toward the door.
h old priest aroused himself.
Jeanne" he called in a loud voice, full
of the exaltation Of triumphant charity,
bring me at once my new cassock!"
"Ah, NJ lie Cure!" exclaimed the actor.
overcome by the unexpected success and
pressing the priests hands with efusion.
As Jeane 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. a snail
would go as fast. Is it not SO. M. Actor7
And a hat also-you must have a hat.,'
"What?" said Jeanne, shuddering, Are
you going to lend your clothes to the
theater. NJ. lie Cure-your new cassock-
you, who will hold mass at midnight
Truly, / do not ask so much,'' protest.
ed Artemon. confused. while the cure laid
the cassock on his arm. IAN old cassock
would serve my purpose. I beg that you
will not deprive yourself"
What are you thinking?" replied M.
Lanier. Beneath the robes my cassock
Will not be seen, while yours will be, SO to
say, under fire, n If the rents were
viewed It would be a pity. The Able Con-
stantin must not call forth ridicule."
How a we ever prove our graft
tude?" said the actor. his eyes actually
filled with tea-s, and he reiterated his
thanks until he had crossed the thresh-
old of the door.
my dear fellow" said the cure in a
trempEng voice, fearing to appear to
place q price upon his kindness, Ego as
quickly as possible, accomplish what you
have to do and return when the perform
ance is over to attend the midnight mass.
The good God will thus be satisfied with
you, and I also"
On this evening Artemon fairly vibratea
with emotions. surprising himself in his
acting.
When. before the gloriously Illuminated
altar, the good pastor extended his arms
lovingly above the crowd kneeling before
him, he trembled with joy to perceive, al
the lower end of the lateral aisle, amona
the worklnen and laborers, a group Of
men and women with weary faces and
varied costumes, who bowed their head,
respectfully under the benediction. The
poor people had also arranged a little sur.
prise for their benefactor, n the weab
put expressive voice of Valerie sang with
warmth the christmas OF Adam" &C.
EcomEanted by a harmcnium.
Whatever may have been their past. o,
whatsoever the future might have In
store for them, for that hour at least .
ray Of Gods grace had filled their souls.
recalling the sweet and holy remem.
ORANGES of their chi,dhoCd.