The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03


and powerful personages felt them
selves hit by the sarcasm and ridicule
that Moliere poured over the sins and
foibles of the day that they succeeded
IN keeping it from the stage till Louis
XIV gave his royal permission for its
production.
1t has held its high place ever since.
Like Shakespeare's plays, it tempts the
great actors of each new generation,
and at the same time offers a play
easily acted ythe poorest of provin
cial companies.
Modiere was a moralist, the upholder
of an ethical code, and a social satirist
of uncommon courage for his time. AL
though he always aimed his satire at
contemporaries and pointed his wit to
pierce certain personalities, he struck
SO truly at the errors, vices and vani-
ties common to all humanity that his
work remains as fresh as If 1t had
been written to suit the circumstances
of today.
~ RGON PERNELLE had won the
gratitude of his king by fight
ing consistently on the royal
side during the wars of the French.
Naturally. when the issue fell out we'll
for the side he had espoused, he gained
the reputation of a man of great sense.
None knew better that he merited this
reputation for wisdom than Orgon him
self. The good gentleman plumed him
self on his keen perception and his
perfect judgment, and it was quite i'm
possible for him to remain patient when
he beheld friends and relatives running
counter to the sane and sensible courses
that he marked out for them.
Perhaps Orgon came naturally by his
eimple and unquestioning belief in his
powers of discernment. Nine. Pernelle
his mother. was equally generous in her
estimate of her own powers of mind.
One day these two worldly wise ones
found paragon who combined within
himself all the earthly virtues, with a
few heavenly ones added. The paragon's
name was Tartuffe. He was a f1orid
paragon, with red ears and fat cheeks
He was ostentatiously threadbare, as if
to illustrate his gentle and submissive
explanation that he had lost great es-
tate through caring too little for riches
and other vanities. He despised things
of the flesh and ate enormous meals
only that he might keep up his strength
for his duties. He had not a good word
for anybody, because he was forced
to admit reluctantly that everybody
was guilty of sins.
What a mani cried Orgon HE is a.
man who-ah! man-in short, a man
] am quite another man since 1 became
acquainted with him. Whoever follows
his precepts lives in profound peace and
all the rest of the world Is dross to him."
To increase his sudden affection for
Tartuffe, it was only necessary that there
should be a little opposition to the ex-
cellent man. This was furnished promptly
when Orgon took Tartuffe into his own
house. Orgons son, Damis; his daughter,
Marianne, and his young and pretty sec
ond wife, Elmire. did not approve of the
hungry and uncouth critic who had been
thus uncermoniously created a member
of the family.
Nine Pernelle and Orgon took up arms
at once, and soon, In the blindness of
the conflict. it mattered little to them
whose heads they struck, so long as the
precious head of Tartuffe remained
sacred
Tartuffe, deprecating gently begged
them not to quarrel about him and Of
fered with a martyrlike smile of patient
forgiveness to leave the hosptable ref
uge and wander forth again, an outcast
and beggar.
See how wicked you are to that good
mani cried Madame Pernelle to the re-
bellious family. You hate him because
he tells you of your faults. All, 1t would
be much better If everything in this place
were managed according to his pious d.
rections."
Inspired by Tartuffe's suggestions.
which were wrung from him by his sense
OF duty. Nine. Pernelle saw her sons
household with suddenly opened eyes. She
perceived that Elmire dressed like a prin-
cess and spent money wickedly. Damis.
she discovered. was an immoral, unen-
| aightened fool. Marianne was so demure
! that there could be no doubt that she did
things secretly which belied her out
ward actions and appearance.
MY son should make you all love
him. said she to the family. "All these
receptions. these carriages always waiting
at the gate, these crowds of lackeys-I
am willing to believe that you may mean
no harm; but this society, these balls, are
al begotten of the evil one. My son never
acted more wisely than when ne took this
rood man into his family that he might
Eredeem you. 1t is for your salvation he is
here. and he reproves nothing except what
Reserves reproof. I don't think half as
much OF you all as did once, and 1t will
~ many long day before you catch me
a here again."
She bounced out in temper somewhat
~nbecomins one who had such exalted
Sentiments. and boxed her maids ears
Or lingering q moment at the door.
Elmire and Damis appealed to Elmire's
neother Cleante, who possessed much in
<luence over Orgon. Cleante went to his
1sother-in-law and spoke to him seriously.
rs It possible you can be so infatuated
NTH such man as to forget everything
~ him?" asked he. You are crazy,
fother, do believe
III you had seen him when first met
M" replied Orgon. you would feel for
om his servant who he is and of his
Dvorty, made him small present of
oney. but he Immediately tried to return