The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-08


The parents of some girls are so anx-
ious to dispose of their daughters that
they buy husbands for them"
The chief laughed and rolled on the
ground.
"How do the girls of Narinuma
please you?"
''They are very sociable."
'Would you marry any one you have
seen here?"
Hardly. You see, Loheir, we came
a long, long distance to get to Narinu-
ma. and as we are rich and very good
looking, we ought to have the best the
country affords"
Up started Lohier with a whoop and
a yell that echoed through the town,
aud was off.
The two brothers had a laugh at his
curious questionings, and at the man
ner he left them, but thinking no more
about it, went on with their work.
For several days the chief was not
to be seen, he had gone away. to be
back soon.
One afternoon as the two white men
were preparing their dinner they
heard tittering and giggling. Looking
around they saw Loheir in the midst
of group of girls, some tw enty in
number A broad smile lighted up
the chiefs dusky face, and many of the
girls, of great beauty, were laughing
and pee ing at the white men over
each others shoulders. They all wore
flowers in their hair, and bands of
green leaves adorned their arms and
ankles. Each maiden had on her best
striped petticoat, and some wore neck
laces of dogs teeth and feather rib
bOns.
The chief came forward and adj
dressed the strangers; he had been a
long way, had visited the largest
towns in the country, and had brought
back with him the most beautiful
women belonging to the tribe. He
hoped each of the brothers
would select one that pleased
him, marry her and settle
down among the Coyaries. The
white men were rich. they could easily
buy nice garden, all the men in
Narinuma would help them build a
house, where the white men and their
children could live and be happy. The
parents of some of the girls had come,
too, and were standing in the back
ground.
Loheir explained that the prices
were high, as these were the finest
women in the land.
He then arranged them all in line
"a row of giggling girls that they
might be seen to advantage. Begin
ming with the first. he told their names
and gave their different accomplish
ments.
This one can sing, dance, work in
the garden. cook kangaroo, is good
tempered and tidy; very nice girl;
not so good-looking as some, but will
make an excellent wife. The price for
her is "a knife and a looking-glass
This one is handsome. her father is
rich, and she has not had to WORK
hard. Is very shapely, has nice hair
and eyes. Has no mother. brother or
sisters to make trouble between hus-
band and wife. Her father, that good
looking old man yonder, is chief OF
his village, and has abundance of land.
He asks two axes for his daug hter, but
if the white man will live in his town,
Rapitora, he will give his daughter
free, and part of his large house. and
good garden besides"
Here is fine young maiden, just
the wife for the younger of the white
men. She is very affectionate, kind tc
her aged mother, and keeps her homo
very tidy. She can make brooms,
knows how to cook a pig without burn
ing it, and is economical. Her garden
has no weeds, and she raises the best
bananas in Sana Sanagi She wishes
to be married, and her mother will let
her go for a piece of calico large
enough to make petticoat
Here is Lucena. Is not she lOvelyf
Arms as round as bamboo. form as
supple as the climbing vine, skin as
smooth as a young banana leaf, hair as
soft as spiders web, and eyes as
bright as the morning dew. She can
sing like bird and run like kanga-
roo. She is good housekeeper. an
affectionate daughter, and comes from
q good family. Her father was great
warrior. and died fighting his enemies.
She can be had for-an axe, knife, a
piece of calico and string OF beads.
There was, however, no match. for
manifold reasons. the chief OF which
was that the white men had other
plans. But the matter ended merrily
enough. The brothers invited Lohejr
to dinner. and while the three ate their
dinner the girls danced to their amuse-
ment and sung song. composing 1t as
they went along, describing the whole
scene of wooing and complimenting
the strangers for their generosity in
distributing gifts among the disap-
pointed maidens. The village was the
scene of much merrymaking and
laughter that afternoon. and toward
evening the maidens babe the strangers
good bye and went homeward- Boston
Globe