Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1877 — LAILA, AN OPERETTA. [ARTICLE]

LAILA, AN OPERETTA.

To bo Performed in the Christian Church Hext Wednesday Hight. Laila is a beautiful little three-part operetta, performed entirety by females, it represents a baud of children collected Je spend n cummer dny pienieing on the mountain, beside purling streams, under ihndy groves, where flowers bloom, birds sing and litlppincss abounds. They feast and sing and gather flowers. After a season of mirth and gaiety, some of them are annoyed by the approach of three tramps in Uttered garments that contrast most unpleasantly with the beautiful surroundings, on whose features squalor and sorrow an£ want are written in vivit characters. They arc * beggar woman and her two young daughters. At first a part of Hie children repulse the strangers with words ot chiding and disdainful frowns; but Laila, tenderhearted, gentle and kind, steps from among the group, rebukes them for their unkindness to those in misfortune, speaks words of sympathy to the poor mother and children and bids them tell their wants. Soon I/ula's playnntes follow her beautiful example, und alter listening to the wandere rs’ tale of sorrow, invite them to partake of the feast and join in the games. After a time Laila goes wandering away for berries and flowers, becomes bewildered and is lost in a lonesome wood. Her pleasant society is missed by her playmates who search in vain for her, and the afternoon of the day so pleasantly begun is passed in anxiety nnd fear. The beggar folks soon tire of this trouble and leave the saddened children to themselves. Laila, wearied and frightened, as the shades of closing day deepen in the forest, kneels to pray for angelic protection. Suddenly the queeu of fairies appears to the astenished and timid girl, surrounded with a retinue of attendants attired in glittering robes, und at her piteous entreaty conduct her out of the gloom to her anxious and sorrowing playmates. Then the fairy queen and her two favorite attendants, after the congratulations are over, announce that they are the same beggar people who came around in the morning to prove the generosity of their hearts. The queen tells them never in future to hesitate to give to the needy, for virtue is sure of her reword. Then a happy sotg and Laila is crowed queen of the joyful group. Solos, duetsand choruses are introduced in appropriate places. The company of about twenty*performers will appear en euztuine. The operetta will bo brought out under . the direction of Miss Julia McArthur who also has charge of the instrumental music. See programmes, which will bo distributed about the first of next week, for other particulars. Do not forget that the perfotintuice will be had in the Christian church next Wednesday evening.