Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-12-23
ApskPH AWN ARy ARRyM N AElMENzW -

the crashing of stones in the thunder barrel and
the s%hrieking of pipes, was calculated to instil into
the most obdurate heart a wholesome fear of what
the hereafter might have in store for the unre
pentent.
The final spectacle of the stage the carpenters
were erecting was paradise. High placed above
everything else, it dominated all the scene. Its
occupants, God the Father, God the Son and the
blessed angels, were hofsted UP into it by mechan-
zeal lifts, and when the angels wished to descend,
as for instance on the night of the nativity. over
the fields near Bethlehem, they did SO suspended
on ropes. It was hard being God OF ali angel. for
there was little chance to get down and stretch
ones legs. With these heavenly characters abode
four others-Peach, Merry, Justice and Truth, in
imitation of Aristotle's four cardinal virtues.
Such were, in the main, the mansions" and
the characters for which the carpenters had to
provide, and the eight days succeeding the mon
sire" or grand parade were especially -usy ones
for these artisans.
Early on the morning of December "a the long
awaited representation began. The vast market
place was thronged. Every box was filled with the
gentry: the ropeain space III front, out to within
some yards OF the stage front, had been covered
thickly with straw, and here on the ground sat thou
sands, while the open stretch Immediately in front
OF and rather below the level of the stage was
filled with crowds %parading back and forth. Alto
gether 1t was a glorious and eager gathering.
The learned doctor whose midnight toll had
prepared the doggerel, and whose weeks of labor
had rehearsed the players in their parts, appeared
first in n short prologue. After exhorting his
listeners to silence, he described for them briefly
the substance of what was about to be presented
on the stage, and admonished them to take to
heart the lessons of the mystery. AS he retired
to a convenient angle of the wall Of Herod's house,
whence he might advantageousfy be in position for
prompting the actors, a deep lamentation broke
out within hell. 1t was Adam grieving over the sad
and fallen state of man.
Thus the play goes on for two days, passing
now to limbo. whence the prophets issue to ~foretell
to mankind the coming salvation, to Nazareth, to
nativity. When Christ is born in Bethlehem, hell
redoubles its efforts, and Lucifer rolls about the
stage in a mighty orgy of blind fury. The images
OF the Idols in the temple at Rome fall crashing
from their pedestals, and, high above all, the an
gels in paradise, or lowering on their ropes above
the fields Of Palestine, chant majestically the
praises Of the Creator and proclaim the pax in
terris."
Curious is the final scene. 1t is placed in Rome,
in the chamber OF Augustus. The emperor, dressed
like a French duke, is seated on a fancy chair
loaned by the mayor OF Rouen. Evidently he is i'll
at ease. He is reading a scroll Of the Sibylline
writings, wherein he finds a distinct prophecy to
the effect that a Messiah is to be born in Palestine
In Bethlehem Of Judea. More and more disturbed
he becomes, and as he PAGES the floor of his cham.
Der he recites his woes in doggerel French. &C.
companied by a wealth Of gesticulations. The SYN
is already down beyond the gables to the west Of
the market place ere his nlonoiogue comes to an
end With 9 sudden Inspiration, ne falls to his
knees and worships a figure of the virgin that mi.
raculously appears on the wall. Satan and his
crew give a final salvo, and the crowd rises stifay
to its feet and wends Its way back to the homes
and taverns of the city, much moved by the spec.
tacle it has been a witness OF for two whole days.