The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-31
THE STORY OF GIROFLE-GIROFLA.

Good Words.
THE STORY OF GIROFLE-GIROFLA.
Don Bolero d 'Alcarazas, q grandee of Spain,
living in palace by the sea- had remark
ably fine woman for wife, Grandee that he
was, Aurora could, when she chose, have her
own way. Her tongue was as noted in the
palace as her wardrobe. Don Bolero. who
was mild, amiable old mooncalf, as grandees
generally are, might have regretted at times
his alliance with the strong minded Mrs.
Aurore Bolero if it we're not that she had
brought him two extraordinarily beautiful
twin daughters, Girofe and Girofa. These
twins were SO much alike that their own
mother could not tell them apart. and SO she
marked one with pink and the other with q
blue ribbon. for fear OF mistakes.
The opening of the act, in the palace and
gardens Of Bolero, is at time when these
beautiful daughters have reached q marriage
ible age, and we have Madame Boleros word
IDr it that they have both been extremely SER
viceable to the family. In the first place.
Aid not Bolero get in debt to the tune of four
millions to Marasquin & Co., of Cadiz, the
rich bankers, who were about to exact their
due? In the second place. was there not
marauding neighbor on the frontiers of Ora
nada-one Mourzouk, q Moorish chief, who
b
and exacted tribute under threat of exterml-
nation? Who but Aurore, q natural born
diplomat, would have thought Of meeting
both these enemies at their own game? Did
she not send the portraits of Girofe and Gil
rolf, to Marasquiu q Co. and Mourz ouk, and,
to use her own triumphant words to her weak
kneed husband, did not a double marriage
promise to rescue them from all their diff
culties
Such, then, is the situation. Girofe, the
delicious maiden with blue ribbon, has been
betrothed to young MSrasquin, WHO'S already
on the scene, and Glrofa, the ravaging crea-
ture with q pink ribbon, has been promise
to the fierce and bloody chieftain. Mourzouk.
But we perceive in this bright opening
scene, thronging as it is with the maidens OF
Boleros palace, that there are working unseen
dangers. We hear omino rs intim atoms of
ruthless pirates who infest the coast. and now
and then dropped down upon the grandees
gardens, and help themselves to maiden or
two, and then disappear.
The mere possibility of such an Interrupt
ton gives spice to the picture.
Girofe with her bridesmaid comes upon
the scene, and receives from her parents
good deal OF excellent advice. She is
maize Spanish beauty, as fresh and free as q
spring breeze, and her meeting with Maras-
qun Is one of the daintiest episodes In the
opera. The mingling of poesy, romance and
good natured satire, as she rec )gnizes her
lover; the exquisite coquetry OF the girl, and
the curiosity of the woman, are admirably
portrayed by Mile. Geoffroy. Marasquin
brings word that the other brother-in-law,
Mourzouk, is detained by toothaohe. and
cannot be present until the morrow.
Bolero insists upon having the double we'd
ding put off til he comes.
'sMy daughters are twins" he says, "and
must be married on the same day" Besides,
he has ordered two wedding feasts on one
contract, because they come cheaper IN the
lot. But Marasquin declares that he is not a
twin. He shakes his bill of four millions
threateningly, and at last Bolero consents to
let Girofe get married. The impotence OF
she bridegroom is amazing. They start for
church instantly, only leaving word for
sIrofe to meet them there.
Scarcely are they off the scene than there
merge from behind the garden wall, slowly,
the caps, then the heads, and finally the
bodies of q score Of pirates, headed by the
most picturesque villain that the human
mind can conceive. 1t seems that the time
Tor carrying off fresh batch Of maidens has
arrived. They sing piratical chorus:
Among the delicate things to do
Which fall to the lot of pirate crew,
Must be ranked first OF all,
The regular haul
OF q charming Spanish maiden or two.
Having explained their diabolical mission
in the most tune.ul manner, they secrete
themselves in the garden, and when the un-
suspecting Girofa enters, without the least
compunctiop. hey proceed according to
the more mode IN Ihraseology-to gobble
her. The CONSERVATION, despair and uproar
which ensue when the party return from the
church and discover that Giroha has been |
abducted, extend to every body but Circle
and her husband. They are too happy to be |
disturbed by anything.
All that BoeIo can do is to hasten to his |
wife hopelessly, who blames him for every |
thing. Nay, be does at last send word to the |
great Admiral Matamoras to set out in Heav- |
ems name in pursuit of the pirates, and hav- |
ing done that he gives himself up to the most
doiorous anticipations. What will the ruth
less Mourzouk say when he finds his bride
carried off? Will he believe it2 Will he not
olive away to the most ferocious passion and
exact the most bloody tlibute2
To add to the CONSERVATION, Mourzouk, |
preceded by his attendants. suddenly appears.
at isl: good day. To the point at once. !
Which one Of you is my father-in-law. and
where is the bride? Come, BUSINESS!
No less ludicrous is the scene which FOL
lows. The Moorish chief can not understand
the hesitation and perplexity OF Bolero and
Aurore. He demands his wife instantly, sees
Circle, is about to seize her. grows momen. |
Arily more authoritative and ferocious. Be-
lero trembles, Aurore adds to his distress by
telling him it ell his fault. Mourzouk insists
upon being married Immediately. He glares
at Girofe. Tney explain to him that she is
not his bride. His is the other with the pink
ribbon. Then" thunders out Mourzouk,
"trot out the pink ribbon. I am going to az
range my toilet I shall return In five min
utes. If you get into trouble with me it will
be terrible" Marasquin, who has an obliging
disposition, goes off with him in the hopes of
soaking him.
Mime. Bolero's diplomacy once more proves
EQUAL to the occasion. She has five minutes
10 decide and her wit saves her. She picks
No the pink ribbon that Girofa had dropped
shen the pirates seized her and places it
upon the shoulder of Girode; FIRST, of course,
removing the blue ribbon. The establishment
of the girl when her mother says she must
$780, Monvzouk the DELIGHT I Bolero Ga