The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-05-15

an unwOnted agility he lodged the SIM
glestick movement 10 had always
bothered the cure) and rushed forward
with arms extended, like bear. But
Father Lucien had movement II pat.
and movement II is especially de-
signed for this. Placing the right toe
against the left heel, he made 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 q terrific blow across the
right ear movement 22A).
us your soul better, Simeon?" asked
Father Lucien.
Simeon blinked up into the ring OF
faces about him. 1t 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.
Nov 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
it 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 l
know, Simeon" answered the cure
mildly. Are you going to close DOWN."
"In have you arrested" Simeon
yelled. "Tll write to the bishop about
YOU"
Crash went the singlestick. "Are
you going to have me arrested?" in
quired Father Lucien.
"No," muttered Simeon, covering his
head with his hands.
Crashl Simeon's hands flew apart
as IL they were attached to springs.
"Are you going to write to the bish-
op" asked the cure.
"No. For Gods sake let me 60.
you d bully!"
Simeon snatched at the knob on the
end Of the singlestick nearest him. but
movement 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.
Simeon" 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 50 abject that the
cure had not the heart to continue his
punishment. He looked about him. A
singlestick describes a circle having a
radius Of several feet. Exercise 2
cleared the counter in fifty, leaving
a wreck of reeking spirits and broken
glass.
When the cure turned upon the en-
thusiastic. shouting throng, the grins
died of their faces.
"Get out of here. my children" he
shouted. And, twirling his singlestick
with indescribable velocity, he brought
1t down on one head after another,
much as one might strike row Of
fence posts. The terrible implement
seemed to fly in all directions at the
same time. Father Lucien 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 7" moaned Sim
con from the floor.
Father Luciep came back and stood
over him. twirling his singlestick
meditatively. At last he laid 1t down
upon the counter.
TITS all right, Simeon, my son." he
said gently. II think I've cured you
now. I'm going to hear your confes-
sion. A man never knows when he's
going to be sick. Simeon. Let me hear
you say your Act of Contrition. If you
haven't forgotten It."
"Wait q minute" pleaded Simeon.
"Are you going to see my brother
Louis afterwardr"
1--WE seen him." answered the cure.
"And Jean Pouliot, and Albert
Drouin, and George Moisan. and"
I'm 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
Lucien 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, at the sight
Of the priest. set up yell Of delight.
The women pressed about him. sob
bling their gratitude. It was with diff
nculty that he could make his way
through the feminine bodyguard that
accompanied him along his way. and
after he had persuaded them to 60
home the distant cheering still rang In
hia ears.
II snan come back every week" was
Father Lucien's last promise to Ste.
49,. Gv ~A~M A~>nk tha hnoA ~