The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-12
STORY OF THE OPERA.

Now Nanki Poo, in the early days be-
fore the opera opens, was q member of
the Titipu town band. His duty it was
TO fake cap round for contributions, and
while tischarging this delicate office he
saw the lovely Yum-Yum. They loved
each other at once But she was betroth-
ed-to her guardian. Ko-Ko. a cheap tailor
and Nanki-Poo's suit was hopeless.
Overwhelmed with despair he quilted the
town to return again a year later on
hearing that Ko-Ko had been condemned
TO death for flirting. For it seems that
Our great Mikado. virtuous man.
When he to rule our land began,
Resolved to try
4 plan whereby
Young men might best be steadied
So he decreed in words succint,
That all who tiirted. leered or winled,
Unless connubially linked.
Should forwith be beheaded"
This stern decree naturally caused
great excitement throughout the land.
for young and old were alike affected,
and Ko-Iko was the first victim. But
for some strange reason the Mikado re-
spited the tailor and made him Lord
High Executioner of Titipu, the highest
rank citizen could attain. And the
loye-sick Nanki-Poo on his arrival was
greeted by Pooh-Bah, who claimed to
he able to trace his ancestry back to a
protoplasmal. primordial atomic globule,
with this cheering bit of information:
This very day
From school Yum-Yum.
Win wend her way,
And homeWard come
With beat of drum,
And rum tllm-tum,
To wed the Lord High Executioner."
1t is now that Ko-Ko, who holds al
most as many offices as Loga Harris,
comes upon the scene and with Pooh
Bah counts ZIP the cost Of week $
festivities i'm connection with his mar
rage. Pooh Bah finds the sum astound-
ingly large and reasons thus: Concern
ing his duty in regard to the matter in
consideration of the many offices he
holds.
'.Of course as First Lord of the Urea
sury, | could propose special vote that
would cover all expenses. If it were not
Il,
would be my duty to resist ii. tooth and
nail. Or as Paymaster General.
could 50 cook the accounts. that as Lord
High Auditor | should never discover
the fraud. But then, as Archbishop Of
Titipn, it would be my duty TO denounce
my dishonesty and give myself into my
own custody as First Commissioner of
Police"
Poo-Bah thought this might embarrass
things, and Ko-ko agrees with him and
turns his attention to Yum-Y Yum and
her two sisters, Peep-Bo and Pitti-Sing-
three little maids from school, to whom:
Everything is a source of fun:
Nobody's safe, for we care for none!
Life is a joke that's just begun"
Yum-Yum recognizes Nanki-Poo and
PUSHES to him with most profuse and
joyous welcome. The poor musician.
carried away with JOY, declares his love
for the girl TO Ko-I<o, and asks him not
to be angry. Angry replied Ko-Ko.
mot bit Of it, my boy. Why,
love her myself. Charming lit
tie girl isn't she? Pretty eyes,
nice hair. Taking little thing, altogether
Very glad to hear my opinion backed by
| a competent authority. Thank you very
much"
Nanki-Poo later reveals to Yum Yum
his true identity. He says he is the son
| of the Mikado, but he has had the mis-
| fortune TO captivate Katisha, an elderly
| lady of his fathers court. Under the
| law against flirting she claimed him in
| marriage, and as he was bound to mar
| ry or be beheaded, he ran away to he.
| come a musician.
After this Yum-Yum and Nanki- Poo
now bill and coo for awhile, like lovers
dc" to be interrupted by Ko-Ko, who is
in turn interrupted by Pish-Tush. n no
bic lord who bears letter from the
| Mikado. This letter says that His Ma
| jesty is struck by the fact that no exc
| cutions have taken place in Titipu for n
year, and DEGREES that unless somebody
is beheaded within one month. the post
of Lord High Executioner shall no
abolished and the city reduced TO the
rank of village.
Now, ko-Ko being the only man under
sentence of death, and also executioner
he found him himself in the logical