The Forrest City times., 1892-07-01
|CANTATA OF RUTH.
TO be Produced at the New Opera house by Local Talent on the Night of July 4. 1892, for the
 Benefit Of the Baptists.

ARGUMENT, PEHsONATIONs. ETC.
 It is no doubt generally known that | the fourth of July will be celebrated in Forrest City this year. A programme of attractions has been prepared at
 great expense and trouble by the man.
 agement of the Eastern Arkansas Fair association, which will greatly please and entertain all who will visit their
 beautiful grounds north of town. This programme has been extensively adver- | iised and may now be found elsewhere | in this paper in the association's three
 column-wide advertisement. Hence
 we will only say here that the enter tanment consists of races, tourna-
 ment, refreshments, base ball and clay-pigeon shooting. But the ladies
 of the Baptist choir have arranged to
 produce that beautiful book of the Bible, Ruth" in cantata form at the operahOuse on said night, and assisted
 by the musical talent of our city. they have thoroughly rehearsed and become
 masters of the work. The fact that the programme has not been given to the pubic heretofore, and in order
 that our readers may be informed as to
 the character of the play, we here give
 the argument and cast:
 AKG MENI.
 A severe famine prevailed in Bethle-
 hem-Judah. A messenger brings the | tidings of plenty in Moab, and be-
 seeches the people to cry to Jehovah | for help in their trouble. Elimeiech and his family, Naomi and two sons, flee to Moab. The two sons there
 marry Ruth and Orpah. During q
 period of ten years the three, Naomi,
 Ruth and Orpah are left in widowhood. | They bemoan their affliction, and Naomi resolves to return to her home, where plenty is now restored. Orpah | is persuaded to go to her own people, but Ruth "clave unto her mother-ii- law" and returns with her to Bethle- | hem. The inhabitants greet them with
 surprise, when Naomi tells of her sor- TOW. Ruth, soon goes tn the barley l fields to glean. BoaZ, a I Q of wealth
 and power, finds her in his fl Ids glean- l ing, and becomes enamoreu of her. At niglit-fall she falls asleep among the sheaves, and Boaz sings to her Sum-
 Der song. The next day an Israelitish
 woman prophecies better things for
 her. and she waits to see the result. | According to tlIe Oriental custom, the
 property is redeemed, and soon after
 Boaz and Ruth are married. Boaz l celebrates by making merry. anu tlle scene closes with praise to God for his
 mercieS.
 | PERSONATIONS.
 | NAOMI fSoprano) . Miss ANNIE PEARSON | RUTH (Contralto).. ..... Mrs w. J. PRCDE | BOAZ ffiasso). ............ MT. l.. ROLLwA AGE Orpah (SopranO) ...... Mrs Jennie Pope | Israelitish Woman thlczzo Sopranol. | Miss Fannie Williams Jewish Maiden tMezo Soprano)..........e Miss Tommie Davis Messenger tBaritone). .... Mir. J. NJ. Prewett | Assistant Reaper (l}assol. .....,.....:.. Mir J. Dan Davenport | Scmi-Chorus of Keepers. Messrs. Vadakin | and Davenport and Mrs. II. D. Hatcher Semi-Chorus of Binders. Messrs. Prewett and l}radield and Mrs. B. D. Hatcher Semi-C Chorus Of Cleaners. .. Misses Mary Winthrop. Katie Izard. Minnie Rollwage | Full Chorus of IsracIiics. Miss Lloyd, Mrs. B. D. Hatcher and others