A New Operetta.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 194, 11 September 1888, Page 3

A New Operetta.

copyright. I We leave the following to the judgment of our readers, merely remarking that the attempt deserves credit for its ingenuity, although, as we have said before, the subject is scarcely a joking one:— (As suggested by me, I forward a first instalment of a new operetta. This, when completed (if ever), might be produced in November next, for the benefit of the Hospital. Playwriting is not in my line, but I am one who would have cheek enough for anything, even to attempt to edit a newspaper. Try me.— Fancy.) Act I. Scene I. The scene opens on village green; ratepayers’ children, in gala costume, singing— Our dear papas and fond mamas Were looking, O, so sad I But now the gloom has passed away, And so we’re very glad. They say it was the harbor rates That made them look so glum ; We wish the harbor in the sea, ’ The rates to Kingdom Gome. Our parents speak of Harbor Bill As of a thing they dread ; Was he a naughty giant come To rob us of our bread ’ We love the place where we were born, And when we older grow We’ll do our best to punish those Who caused the place such woe. (Dialogue, in which the children try to ascount for the state of affairs. No satisfactory result is arrived at, when Mr Graham is seen in the distance.) First child.—Now we’ll get an explanation Of the tangled situation ; For in ths distance Graham I see. Second child.—What, our member ? All.—Yes, yes, 'tis he 1 Third child—Let us greet him when he appears By giving him three hearty cheers Keep silent now until I say, Lo.here he comes; hip,hip, hurra! (Cheers. Enter Mr Graham.) Mr G.—Thank you, my pretty little dears, For those three very hearty cheers, But tell me why you’re assembled here ; Unfold your troubles, have no fear. First child.—Sir,we have just been waxing hob Disputing and wondering what Made people so solemn till late, And what caused the gloom to abate. Mr G.—Young friends, on such things never brood, They’re all right when they’re understood.

SONG (MB GRAHAM). Once I was Chairman of the Harbor Board, And a Government nominee ; . Until Locke withdrew as a candidate, And they offered his seat to me. I Was returned at the head of the poll While friends and foes in wonder stood, Wouldn't you like to know how I got there ? “ That’s all right when it’s understood.” I hied me away to Parliament, I was resolved to do or die ; The Government kindly appointed ms To move the Address-in-reply. I moved that address in a speech sn fine, That the Premier himself said " good How did I come to wax so eloquent ? " That’s all right when it’s understood.” The principal thing for which I was sent Was the Harbor Act to amend ; A jolly herd task I think you’ll admit; With Whitmore I had to contend. But sixty-five thou’ was all we might spend Though I did the best that I could. How was it then I lamentably failed ? “ That’s all right when it’s understood.” Very next session I tried it again. But Ormond came into the field, And the poor Bill got so bandied about, I was almost tempted to yield. Parliament, too, on all harbors was down, And members were in such a mood ; How then did the Amending Bill get through ’ “ That’s all right when it’s understood.” The Bill was in danger of being lost, When Government came to my aid ; Now the Harbor Chairman sends me a wire, “ The devil has got to be paidl” Upon my word, I can’t tell what he means, I don’t see how anyone should, So I sent a telegram in reply, “ That’s all right when it’s understood. All.—Enough 1 enough 1 you’ve made all cleari 'Tis well that you should finish here, For if much further you proceed Ton’ll be misunderstood, indeed .' Mr G.—Poor little souls, they are too young To comprehend the statesman’s tongue, &c. (Dialogue, in which Mr G. expresses a wish that his presence in Gisborne may be kept secret. Exit Mr G. Warm dialogue between children as to what Mr G. really meant. Mr Sievwright enters, looking as if he had lost something. Children fall back and listen while he sings.) SONG (MB SIEVWRIGHT).

When I appeared in the world And first saw the light of day, A terrible clatter I made, There was the ll devil to payl” First child, —Well, I declare 1 Second ditto.—Doesn't he swear 1 When I grew up and went to sobaol, And tried to spell oat with a K, My poor knuckles the master rapped There was ” the devil to pay,” First child.—Listen again I Second ditto,—lsn't he profane! I became a barrister bold, And a clever one, too, they say, Though should I lose a client’s case, There was “ the devil to pay I” First child.—What did he say ? Second ditto.—Oh, let’s run away ! I was put on the Harbor Board, , By the Government of the day ; Not a country nomination, There was “ the devil to pay 1” I was made chairman of the Board, ’Twas my casting vote won the day, My opponents were nicely sold, There was •• the devil to pay I" I wonder what Graham is about, He shouldn’t carry on this way If he amends the Harbor Act There'll be "the devil to pay 1” “ That’s all right when its understood " Was the wire he sent th’other day Sending such wires to me, indeed 1 There’ll be “ the devil to pay I” (Exit Mr S. to send telegram.) End of Scene I.