The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1889-12-27
CHAPTER II.

christmas morning in the Sacred Isle
OF !oneataboc. Never before was there
such excitement. For tho first time
within the recollection of the oldest iu-
habitant the natives had received from
their ruler an i~nvitation-nay. n command
TO present themselves in u body before
MIN on the ground heretofore religiously
reserved for royalty.
What did it mean? Could it be posi-
Die that the young Prince intended to
aoalcate the throne. Or was it his purpose
70 Offer to the gods a sacrifice more lori.
BILE than those Of his predecessor?
Crowds of natives gathered at the spot
designated by the Prince. The high
priests OF the nation jostled elbows with
the low pariahs of the isle; the clumsy
clown of the Imperial circus trod on the
bare toes of Prince Bongtongtattoo's sis
ter, and a riot was imminent.
On a little prominence, before the eyes
of the astonished multitude, was some-
thing that looked like o huge white heap.
Nobody could guess what it was. Every
body was mystitied.
Suddenly, from out a grove ofpandanus
trees, appeared the Prince, arm-in-arm
with the missionary, Raphael Carroll.
Then u mighty shout went up-a shout
snch US only barbarians can vent. But
their feelings Of loyalty soon gave place
= oNhlJAAo0s
"Whut is that t-obacco-snturated pale
face doing i'll company with most
puissant Primer" Kissed a high priest
into tho elongated ear of q professor of
carnivorology.
"'Sh!" said the professor; athe Prince
proposes TO ameliorate the condition of
his people by making n meal you rate
palatab.e of tho sad-eycd son of the
| North"
pu+ Ill, ,4uo.,
the loars of applause that greeted the
Prince. Stretching forth his hrawny
brown aim he commanded the crowd to
be silent. Then he briefly told them the
story of his conversion. In conclusion
he said:
I'm the white mans country they have
a beautiful custom on Christmas Day,
o custom which I desire to introduce
here"
Then he pulled q rope, which was at
tached to a canvas covering, and the
great white heap, as the nat yes thought
it was, disappeared. and for n moment
crowd seeming scarcely to breath. Then
a tremendous Yell went up und the
wildly excited barbarians rushed for
ward.
There before them was a palm tree,
across the trul k of which were fastened
strips of wood; from these were sns-
pended all sorts of dolls, toys, drums,
horns, cakes of soap, and Bibles.
Aha" said a high priest, 4the Prince
was only assembling when he told us he
had forever abandoned the c~annlbalistic
customs of his royal father; for 10 and
behold! there are tender young babes
strung on that tree. 1 think 1 will try
one."
So saving he strobe forward. seized
two of the largest dolls, and attempted
to bite Oft the head of one. AS his teeth
closed over the china neck of the doll he
uttered a groan and dashed Off into the
woods, IL sadder but not n wiser man
eater.
Meanwhile, the children, and evcn the
adults, seized dolls and TOYS, hut did not
touch either the soap or Bibles. Their
refusal TO avail themselves Of this great
Opportunity of combined cleanliness and
godlincss showed their natural d%epravitv.
BY the way" said the missionary 10
the Prime, as they watched the hilarious
natives. where on earth did YOU pro-
cure all those decorations fer your
Christmas tree?:"
The Prince smiled, Or rather exhibited
his two rows of double teeth from ear 10
ear, and replied:
II found them OH the beach Yesterday.
and last night / decorated the tree my
self" But he did not tell how fright
ened he was when he tore open the inst
package and was confronted by what he
supposed was a genuine baby.
After watching his happy subjects for
a while, he turned, with tears in his eyes,
to the missionary and whispered some
thing in his ear. Whereuron Raphael
nolded, took the Prince by the arm and
hurried away in thu direction of the mis-
sionary's home.
After the Prince had gone his loyal
people formed q ring around the tree and
danced. AS they circsed round md.
round they chanted, in q peculiar Mono
tone:
oh, great is the King of tho Sicred Isle,
Our Prince Bongtongtnttoo!
For he loves to make his subjects smile,
And with gorgeous gifts their cares beguile-
Noo-hoo! Woo-hoo!
Hurroo! Hurroo!
/ For the pride of Ton.ataboo!
The festivities were brought to an un-
timely close by q shrek from ono of the
young ONE present. She was Hapai-
Atti, the daughter of II n%eighboring king.
who had teen invited to attendthe Christ.
mas celebration. For many moon she
had loved Prince Bongtorstattoo, md he
had reciprocatcd her affection, though in