The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-07-08

Simeon struggled to his knees. With
an unwonted agility he lodged the sin
glestick movement 10 had always
with arms extended, like a bear. But
Father Lucien had movement IL pat,
and movement II is especially de-
signed for this. Placing the right toe
against the left heel, he made a 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, smack y 'are you going to
close DOWN.
Simeon lifted up his voice In a 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).
rs 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
predicamentyepobody 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. If he could get
il into his hand.
Smack went the singlestick, and
Simeon was down again with a roar
like a poleaxed bull.
"What did you do that for?" he
whimpered.
"I'm helping you the best way
know. Simeon" answered the cure
mildly. Are you going to close DOWN."
"I1l have you arrested" Simeon
yelled. "I1l write to the bishop about
you"
Crash went the singlestick. "Are
you going to have me arrested?" in
CURED Father Lucien.
NO" muttered Simeon. covering his
Hedu WltH Ills ndHuS
Crash! Simeon's hands flew apart
as IL they were attached to springs.
"Are you going to write to the bish-
OPP asked the cure.
"No. For Gods sake let me go,
you d bully"
Simeon snatched at the knob on the
end of the singlestick nearest him. but
movement 4 provides for that, and the
crack of a broken finger was distinctly
audible to the intensely interested
spectators.
"When are you going to close down.
SimeOnT" demanded Father Lucien.
standing over the PROSTATE liquor
seller.
AT once' yelled Simeon. bursting
into tears. "For Gods sake don't hit
me again! !"
Simeon looked so abject that the
cure had not the heart to continue his
punishment. He looked about him. A
s~inglestick describes a circle having a
radius Of several feet. Exercise 2
cleared the counter In a jiffy. leaving
a wreck of reeking spirits and broken
glass.
When the cure turned upon the en-
thuslastic. shouting throng. the grins
died of their faces. S
"Get out Of here. my children !" he
shouted. And. twirling his singlestick
with indescribable velocity. he brought
Il down ON one head after another,
much as one might strike a row Of
fence posts. The terrible implement
seemed to fly In all directions at the
same time. Father Lueien cracked the
last man across the shoulders and sent
him flying into the street.
"For Gods sake don't leave me
alone In here with him! !" mcaned Sim
o from the floor.
Father Lucien came back and stood
over him. twirling his singlestick
m~editatively. At last he laid 1t down
upon the counter.
"It's all right. Simeon, my son." he
said gently. II think I've cured you
now. I'm going to hear your confess
sion. A man never knows when he's
going TO be sick. Simeon. Let me hear
you say your Act of Contrition. IL you
haven't forgotten It."
Wait q minute" pleaded Simeon.
Are you going to see my brother
Louis afterwardT
i've seen him." answered the cure.
"And Jean Pouliot. and Albert
Drouin, and George Moisan, and"
TIN going to-" replied the cure
grimly. SO Simeon. with a new ex-
preston of qualification, came back
into the church.
When, fifteen minutes later. Father
L.ucien emerged from the shanty, Ste.
Marie was an extraordinary sight.
Every drink-shop had locked up, their
owners had fed. and the streets were
packed with crowds which. ut the sight
OF the priest, set up a veil Of delight.
The women pressed about him, sob
bing their gratitude. 1t vas with diff
fculty that he could make his way
through the feminine bodygnard that
accompanied him along HIS way. and
after he had persuaded them to 90
home the distant cheering still rang In
his ears.
Il snail come hack every week" was
Father Lucien's iact promise to Ste
Marie. II shall break the head Of