The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-11-24
A NIGHT AT JAVA.

Twenty or thirty tawny figures, lying
on benches and on the floor, met our
sight as we entered the great half circu-
lar hall. nearly fell over one of them.
AS the candle-light revealed his massive
features | saw a sleeping Caliban in the
strangely savage ebony face.
We had come by boat, on the canal,
rowed by three sturdy negroes, who be-
guiled the time by singing snatches of
plaintive melodies. 1t was glorious
evening, and the moon revealed con-
slant succession Of tropical wonders in
the way Of vegetation showing intense
Photographic bits of scenery, limned in
black outlines, but filled in with silvery
shapes and the CLEAN OF wonderful
flowers and fruits creatures with wings
of gold emitting radiance like flame
little circlets Of velvety sward; and
ever and anon the twinkling lights of
miniature villages nesting at the foot
of towering palm-trees.
The black backs Of our rowers bent
painfully to the oars by the time we
reached the old Java Plantation, an
GENTLY Government House. We had
exhausted our catalogue of adjectives
at the sight of leaves that, singly, might
shelter the roof of an ordinary house
at the fragrance of. flowers that almost
smothered us with sweetness. Now the
moon revealed to us the ruined lodge
gates, overgrown with wild cact, and
the wide, rough road of powdered
shells, all too long unused TO roller or
weeder. A tall spear Of flaming scarlet
shot from two yellowish- green leavss on
either side, whose perfume made me
faint. ! forget what they call the
flower, but it always grows in the vicini-
ty of graves, and its CHASTITY reputation
caused our entrance to Java Plantation
to seem singularly unpleasant.
Weeds, weeds, everywhere disorder
and confusion at every step.
We were party of four-Dr. Parma
lee and his wife, Cousin Dyas and my
self
Just like Shultas y muttered the
doctor, a little angrily; railways be-
midland. He must have received my
message" And being familiar with
the premises, he climed up to shut
terless window and opened the door on
the inside, which was simply fastened
with a hoolfand staple.
"Ho ! look alive here, fellows p cried
the doctor, as we stood in this strange
vestibule OF an ancient palace, flooded
by the wonderful moonlight and then
he kicked the nearest negro, only
eliciting a grunt, however, when sud
denly door to the right opened, and
there stood a gaunt, spectral figure, a
cloak thrown carelessly over his shout
ders, in one hand holding a candle,
with the other keeping his neither
garments in place.
By the Lord Harry, if it isn't Par
malice !" cried thin, rasping voice.
:" Just a minute, doctor: I'll have these
rascals up; got new force on hand
Pray excuse me, ladies - and all the
time he was going backward out of our
sight.
He soon reappeared. The cloak
gracefully enwrapped his figure, and
hung in folds to his slippered feet.
" Welcome, Dr.. Parmalee welcome,
ladies to Java-Jip, stir YOURSELF" and
off rolled a sturdy African from the
bench to the floor with jerk of the
masters hand.
Jip opened his eyes, rubbed his ear,
and slowly uncoiling, rose.
You see, doctor, | sent you note;
it's miscarried of course. The Governor
is coming on the 10th. ] thought it
would be pleasanter for you, you know;
but never mind; just as welcome-en-
tirely welcome. Come into the round
room we'll have supper-not word
I'll set these black rascals to work.
Plenty in the house-you must be hun
CRY. Tiresome ride by canal"
All the while he talked the mans
teeth were clicking like castanets, and
his body shook visibly.
" But, Shultas, you've got an attack
of the ague. | can't allow you"
" Nonsense, Doc, just follow me )"
and he smiled, showing yellow teeth
that matched the sallow face, and
affected me disagreeably; but, withal,
he was so polite, so elegant in address,
so resolute and quick in speech and
movement, that there was nothing to
be said or done only to obey and
follow.
am sorry there's no lady to do
the honors," said Shultas, placing the
candle under a tall glass shade, click
ing his teeth with every word "but
be seated, ladies you shall have room
presently"
"Oh, get married, Shultas; get mar
ried," said the doctor, loosely: 6 don't
let your silly pride stand in the way"
The man smiled CHASTITY, but said
nothing in direct answer.
Pray excuse me for few moments"
he mnrmured, presently, while look
INTO the state of the larder. Don't give |
my peculiar symptoms the least atten-
ton, doctor Pm quite used to it, | |
assure you; indeed, it is my normal |
condition, as you medical men say !"
and with these words he vanished.