The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1888-04-19


Irvine, II. Genzberger, S. Y. izemper,
Chris Weideman, E. N. Trask, 4. r.
Barret, Geo. Haldorr, and ". IfEkLa1a
AMONG THE kANAkAS.
What Visitor Saw in Tahiti-A Joyous
Gccasion--Open Air Dancing.
'Band night is q joyous occasion,
dear to the memory of all visitors to the
island. On Thursday nights the French
garrison band plays before the govern
ment house in little plaza carpeted with
turf and bordered with spreading trees.
f2n }n,,6yn one side are venders of beer and
women sell fruit and it;n ioWeTsn ada danothaE 2l ;iis
center is the brilliantly Lit band stand
AS the band strikes up the people grow
wild with joy. Around the stand skip
men and girls, singly, i'll pairs and in
rows, heads up, eyes bright, teeth show
ing. clasping each other by waist or
shoulder. laughing and calling to each
other, while the dust fairly chokes the
putting, blowing musicians. If dancer
falls i'll the mad wlirl scream of excite
ment rises and only dies away when the
prostrate one rises and dances Oh Be-
tween the selections they refresh them
selves with beer or fruit, while the Off
GERS or young men Of the town buy
flowers and wreaths for the girls. as
happy with their ''leis" as a debutante
with her bouquets. A tall young globe
trotter advances to group Of dusky
beauties, holding high the finest lei he
can purchase. There is scream of de-
light from a dozen pretty mouths,
dozen rounded arms are thrust at the
prize as the garlanded heads bob up and
down and then there is rush and he is
overwhelmed. They climb upon his
head and shoulders and pluck the wreath
TO pieces, leaving Linn disheveled and
overcome by such wlirlwind Of arms
and legs.
Then the band strikes up and away
they all go again. At last the bandsmen
form in the street, the torchight trades
rler disappear with the remnant of their
wares, and the crowd gathers III line be-
fore and behind the band The street
being darker than the plaza, even those
whose dignity and respecta bility kept
them from joining the dancers around
the stand, are now found in the ranks.
Officers from foreign men of war, yachts
men, townspeople, globe trottars. away
they all go, nyn1phs and satyrs, in wild
Bacchanalian dance down the di1nly lit
street, under the trees meeting in an arch
OseI1.Cs;t., X, the -::-l+, e1ar, hack
sweet will. Dignity falls to the ground
when a smile and glance from a flower
declsei maiden comes bearing an invita-
ton to clasp hands Or waists and s'follow
the band.' The ''Pied Piper Of Hane-
lin could lead away these people eny
time.
The band hsIts for some reason ard we
get ahead Of it, line of us across tie
street. On my right is a young lady with
q wreath of yellow flowers on her black
tresses. another around her neck. don't
believe she can speak word Of English,
and don't try to make her do so-there i,
no need. Beyond her there is a man and
then another Girl-tI1erc are twelve in
the line. The band strikes un behind us
and everybody begins dancing. We can
take any step we like; we are off the
ground most Of the time; and down the
street we so. Suddenly my arm il
s.ci.@5pci BIZ a strong hand which slina
through: and ! have on M left big
Lalala dressed III waistcloth and coat:
with head thrown back and laughing for
pure joy. Away VIC go, running and
dancing against the people ahead Of US,
breaking into the lines. first one and then
another, until we bring up against row
Of figures clad in dark blue, q party Of
sailors. We try to b.aa,: this l;2le too,
but the sta1wart fellows stop a|togetller
and back up the whole procession. dig
ging their heels into the ground and
bracing themselves against the attack
ing lines. There is a wild upro,r and
they dart forward with all the rout in
pursuit. only to repeat t9ie performance
ater. Meanwhile the right wing Of our
line pulls out to the size, and OF wo
lance up the side Of the street to get
nearer the band, which has been LETT ia,
n the rear. We come into line with
swing, and play ''crack the whip" with
ny kanaka friend ana bang him here
md there into the midst Ct dancing ro.vs
No one thinks of getting angry, ana
7ou can do as you please, SO down we go
trough the lines ahead OF lis I'LL we
trile again that stout row OF sailors hay
ng their watch ashore tonight. Out
gain to the side, a dance back to tho
all repeat. 4 street light has
hown me that r1y young LADY on the
ight has o pretty face and IS enjoying
'er5e!f hugely. She stands the ''crack
nS the whip and tho breaking lines
With perfect ease. At LIT the band
urns into the market place and ceases
laying; the wild, fascinating dance IS
ver. We mop, pant and walk away -
friendly home, whore we diinl. tea aud
at bread and jam with our host AM
ostess till long past midnight. .--Papcctn
Tahiti) Cor. New York Tribune.
During tho last few years the growt!a
+ hn I, De- To-