The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-11-10
BY
Vs,torRousseau

eral minutes. AT last struck with an
inspiration. he took up his singlestick,
put on his cap. fur coat. and snow
shoes, and started off toward Ste.
Marie.
Ii was about an hour later when the
few l0afers In Simeon's saloon looked
up TO see the cure standing In the
doorway. Since the lumbermen had
gone into camp for the winter the
glories of the dance hall had faded
and disappeared, but Simeon still did
thriving liquor business. He saw
the cure and came waddling forward,
his pale blue eyes blinking with mock
humility
"Come in, father" he said suavely.
1--WE don't often see you here. What
will you have? A drop of gin? A lit
tie brandy, nowf Or maybe you're
looking for some Of the girls to dance
WITH"
The men grinned and nudged each
other. 1t is not often that one sees a
cure baited
You're sport, father" said Sim
con. what sort of stick do you call
that. with knob each end?"
II shall come to that later" an
swered the cure "SImeon. Simeon, how
often have I spoken to you about the
evil that you are doing here 1t is
statutory offense to sell liquor with
out license. but II Is an offense
against God TO run this sort Of place.
Simeon. for the good OF your soul. will
you not close down this place and
lead different lifer
The mild words and humble atti-
ture OF the old priest were so comical
that nobody could conceal his amuse-
ment any longer. A roar of laughter
shook the shack. Simeon yawned.
I'll think about my soul when I'm
sick" he answered
"You may be very sick at any mo-
ment. Simeon. without expecting It,"
I'll take the chances of that" an
swered Simeon.
simeon, / am growing tired OF
speaking to you. Do you know that
your house is plague-spot In this vii
lage? Simeon. for the last time. won't
you close up for good and all?"
"Ah, father. you mean all right"
said Simeon. 'but that's your job.
bet you're just as much sport as
anybody here, II only you let yourself
go. Come on now, and get into
game with u.s."
simeon" said Father Lucien, you
were asking me about this stick. I'll
show you what it's for Look :"
Smack went the hazel knob on Sim
cons head
Simeon was so flabbergasted that
he fell back against the plank table.
As for the cure, he seemed transfig
ured. Holding the singlestlck In the
middle. he twirled 1t until II looked
like n knobby streak of light, while he
pirouetted like dervish.
In reality he was going through the
important foot exercise marked com
bination B; but nobody knew that.
Come on. Simeon" said. Father Lu-
Glen. flicklng him across the nose.
which instantly became ensanguined. |
With a howl of wrath Simeon came
forward, and the slnglestick descended |
on his head with thud that was
heard. neighbors said afterward, |
across the street. Another thud from
the other end and Simeon was blink |
ing up at the cure from the floor.
Get up, Simeon; I'm going TO cure
your soul" said the cure. "Are you
going 10 close DOWN."
Smeor struggled to his knees. With |
an unwOnted agility he lodged the sin /
glestick dnovement 10 had always !
bothered the cure) and rushed forward |
with arms extended, like bear. But /
Father Luc,en had movement II pat, |
and movement II is especially de- |
signed for tilis. Placing the right toe |
against the left heel, he made q half /
turn. Smack Simeon was reclining |
against the counter his hands over his |
head, and blood streaming through his |
fingers.
simeon. Simeon" said the cure
(smack, smackD "are you going to
close DOWN.
Simeon lifted up his voice in long,
melancholy howl. He struggled feeb-
ly to his feet. and instantly went down
again under a terrific blow across the
right ear movement 22A).
as your soul better. Simeon?" asked
Father Lucien.
Simeon blinked up into the ring of
faces about him. II was an extraor-
binary thing. but though everybody
seemed very much interested In his
predicament. nobody showed any signs
of interfering to help him. Public
opinion was very tickle in Ste Marie.
Now you may get up, Simeon
said the cure, and Simeon FASTENED to
obey. His eyes travelled quickly In
the direction of an empty brandy bot
tie upon the counter. IL he could get
IL into his hand.
Smack went the singIestIck. and
Simeon was down again with roar
like a poleaxed bull.