The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-04
SAMOAN CUSTOMS,
How Brides Are Won, Houses Built and
Graves Marked.


Graves Marked.
Lieutenant Charles H. Ripley, in a
talk on Samoa, gave a most interest
ing account of the marriage customs
of the Samoans. After ascertaining
the amount of dowry the maiden is
carried off by party of the friends of
the groom, who never marries in his
own village. The natives vie with
each other in collecting bottles, which
are great rarity in that country. and
are used after death to encircle the
graves, which are level with the
ground. two or three rows of bottles
indicating superiority. The beverage
of the Samoans and the process of
manufacture is more curious than in
wiling. A substance resembling liq-
uorice is chewed by girls until it be-
comes soft and pulpy, when it is
mixed with water, and must be used
soon after being prepared. If too
much is taken a slight paralysis of the
limbs follows, but soon passes off. 1t
is used largely at entertainments. and
people who indulge in it properly
seem to be benefited The occupation
of the people comes down from gener-
alton to generation. The son of a
carpenter can not be any thing but a
carpenter, and no other family can
follow that occupation. The process
of house-building was described. A
man needs new house, talks with
his relatives, sounds them as to
whether they think he needs one
and will be likely to contribute, visits
the householder with many compli-
ments upon the fine houses he hears
he builds, and leaves present. At
ter time he repeats his visit. Later
relative goes with present and SIM
liar compliments. and so on until at
last the builder signifies his intention
of building the man house and sends
word he is coming. A house is put at
his disposal in the village, his ex-
penses are met by the man for whom
the house is to be built, and when the
house is finished the relatives assem-
BILE and presents are given to the
householder. Very little money is
exchanged. Although a gentle peo-
pie, in war the Samoans are quite bar
barous. going over the field and cut
ting off the heads of the wounded af-
ter II battle. The enemies show great
consideration for each other in arrang-
ing for battle, sending word that if
perfectly convenient one will meet
the other with so many men at such
place at such a time. never varying
from the number of men agreed upon.
Lieutenant Ripley closed with an in
teresting account of a picnic given by
Samoan princess, several hundred
servants being in attendance, and the
chief entertainment for the natives
consisting in sliding down waterfall
about thirty feet high.-Springfeld
(Mass.) Union.
"A bad nickel, easily identified by
certain marks, has worried the street.
car drivers of Rome, Ga, for two
years.
--"Well. what you wearin' glasses
iur, Mr.. Johnsingp" ''Fur my eyes,
Niger: did you s'pose wuz wearin'
EN- fur de collie. Once a Week.
Education without experience is of
about as much use to a man as lace
petticoat would be to the wife of an
Eskimo fisherman. Boston Courier.
-Eiffel is said to have gained the
first idea of the tower which bears his
name from sitting behind an American
woman in an American ~theater.-Life.