The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-09

w ators, Peter Robertson
w and his coadiutors.
~ Patata isn't on the
map, and somo doubt ex-
lists as 10 whether or not.
it holds a place on the
earth. Ii must be one of those ghostly spots
whence the characters of comic opera
stalk forth. and hence the geographical loca.
ton has nothing 10 do with the show.
That is the accepted theory. and one which
Is sustained 10y Mr.. Robertson himself He
saws there Is such place, but 1t would be a
difficult matter 10 find 1t without a guide
Bankrupt royalty is the theme. and there
fore 1t must be country in Europe, the
exact location of which the libtettist wishes
to conceal, owing to the light and fiippant
manner in which he treats the personal
affairs of the impoverished King.
The action of the piece is supposed to
have started one year previous to the OPEN
ing of the performance. 1t Is the birthday
of King Cadenzs, and the populaee Of
Patata gathers in the palace grounds to do
homage to his Tallness and their most gra-
cious Queen.
The day is set apart as one of great re-
joicing. but there is dissatisfaction on both
sides. The King doesn't like his job. and
the p0pulsce complains bitterly of the way
1t has been miSrepresented by artists, who
made periodical descents on that region.
In the language Of the Prime Minister
the artists had made the region round about
Patata famous. They had palace, which
was an artistic gem. In a fine stale Of
preservation. All that was needed to COM
plete their happiness was little gliding at
the top to add strength aud dignity to the
national fabric.
So the Cabinet inserted an advertisement
in the want column of all the daily papers
and some of the country weeklies. in which
the desire of the palace of Patata was made
known.
They wanted a King of good address TO
take rooms in the palace. keep the grounds
in repair. dedicate public buildings. open
Parliament and act as ianitor at $50 per
week.
Mr.. Cadenza was out of work at the time.
the King business being somewhat depressed
in his part Of the country. He consulted
with his Queen and their daughter, the
Princess Enid. with the result that he
wrote on to the Cabinet and accepted the
place.
1t seems, however, that matters had not
ouuObul1 Will buC Ivy al lnb
salary of the King was not sufficient to
keep up the style in which they had been
accustomed TO live. Princess Enid wanted
a crinolne, but there wasn't enough money
In the house TO purchase food for the family.
All the royal robes, plate and jewels had
been pawned until King Cadenza was in the
most abject poverty. he took advantage
Of the celebration of his natal day to ask
for more pay.
He Informed the Cabinet that unless he
was given a raise of SIS on the week he
would quit and seek work on some other
throne. To this proposition the Ministry
would not agree. 1t didn't feel justified In
taxing the subjects of the King to increase
the royal income. The utimatum of the
Cabinet was delivered Ia the following
words
Although as officers OF state.
We much depiore your paIaful fate.
And gladly would alleviate
Your woe.
AS business men we've never paid
For King or cook serving maid
More than the wages Of the trade,
Oh. mol
AS the Cabinet refused to relieve the
pecuniary distress Of the royal family the
Queen hit upon happy expedient and one
which obtains in other places besides
Patata. She hung out sign Furnished
Rooms To Let"
This placard was displayed at the main
entrance TO the palace, and further in
formed the passerby that large sunny front
rooms with bath and free use Of the throne
room could be had by the day, week or
month.
About this time word was received at the
palace to the effect that an embassy from
the Emperor of Muscovy was on its way to
the palace. and that FeodOr. the Crown
Prince Of Muscovy, and his valet, accom-
panied the royal train.
King Cadenza was in an awful fix. All
his kingly accouterments were In pawn,
there was no food in the royal larder, and
it was utterly impossible for him in his
present situation 10 receive the Crown
Prince with the ceremony due his rank.
In this extremity the impresarIo and
prima donna Of comic opera company
called at the palace for rooms. The King
confded in them, and the impresari0 said
he would attend to the reception. He logged
the King and Queen up in the property
robes Of the troupe. and ranged his chorus
about the throne-room as courtiers and
ladies Of the royal family.
In the mean time, however, the Crown
Prince. who was heartily tired of gilded
pomp, had come on ahead of the embassy
disguised as a peasant
The Princes valet was rugged out In his
masters royal robes TO keep up the decep-
ton, while the Prince hired himself as
gardener at the palace for 81 per week and
board. There he met the Princess Enid,
whom he mistook for simple country maid.
and straightway fell In love. She thought
him poetic peasant who looked as il he
had always enjoyed enough to eat, so she
recIprocated as all romantic maidens
should.
The King entered into the spirit OF the
joke and paImed the prima donna off on the
valet as the Princess Enid and they fell
victims to each others charms. The recep-
ton came off with great eclat, thanks to the
presence Of the opera troupe. Feodor and
Enid made fast and furious love, which
ended in an elopement without disclosing
the real identity Of either. While they were
away on the honeymoon there came a pre-
emptory order from the Emperor Of Mus
covy for his son to marry the Princess
Enid.
Here was pretty mess for the valet and
the prima donna and many amusing compli-
cations followed. Just as they were on the
point OF collapsing the runaways returned,
confessed and everything ended happily
| for all concerned. CHARLES DRYDEN,
~