The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-08

ther watch her gallant attack to the
bitter end, and let her enjoy the victoo-
~ single-handed, she WAS appeased,
and "sct ton with renewed energy.
Nearly all things have an end, and so
had Sueina's supper, though not of her
own will, but by the decision of her
mother that she could not hold more
and live. Poor Sueina! She after
wards told ME, very unhappilS, that
her mother would never allow her to
have as much as she wanted to eat.
Her exceptionally large appetiteis is not
that of u gourlnand altogether, but
rather is owing to her rapid growth, for,
although only lit2e over twelve
years old, she is above the usual
height and size Of we'll developed
American woman.
must not forget to mention an cs-
tablished custom regarding the meals
in Samoa: at almost every spread the
nearest neighbor sends in a dish Il. e.
banana leaf OF her food to her friend
near by, and the recipient thereof re-
turns the compliment from her own
board either during The same or the
following meal. The exchange is Of
tentimcs much the same in fortune as
a "grab-bag"--.that disgusting feature
Of 50 many humbug church fairs---at
one meal sending your neiGhbor a
choice bit of delicate fish, and ut the
next receiving an ordinary yam.
The remains Of supper removed, all
reclined ut ease upon our mats. resting
our heads upon either bamboo or cot
ton pillows. | have not yet developed
Il liking for the native article, as 1t is
merely Il large Joint Of bamboo cane
mounted upon Short legs, resembling
very much Il miniature carpenters
horse, and aflording 4 steady, rather
than Il luxurious reposc, for ones head.
But while | have been eNpatatlng
upon the Samoan pillow. good old
friend Sui has rolled me native cl-
garette. Were the American dudes
obliged to smoke these South Sea Is
lanl products, | opinc some essential
part of their nondescript "get up"
would be cschewed. The tobacco used
is still in the leaf, and, owing to the
prevailing rainy reason at present, it is
, nearly always damp, and requires to
be dried over lamp chimney heiore IL
is rolled up in scrap Of dried banana
leaf. This done, my hostess pulled
away upon it until it was we'll a-iight,
and then transferred it to my lips.
One gets used to many little innova-
tions down here, and soon ceases to re-
gard them as ut ull unpleasant,- chew
ing sccond-mouth gum from the dark
fair ones, for example.
When at last the first round OF cigar
cites was finished, Sui motioned the
company to sit up, and Sueina eX-
pllimed to me that they Were "goinG
to make their prayers" Sui, KIND
faced and intelligent woman of about
forty, then read 4 chapter in her native
tongue from the Samoan Bible. Ma.
ma linagalO pese mo Atua," 1--WE will
sing for God) and ut once the sweet
meoiy Of Samoan hymn filled the
room, and touched my heart as only
soft, sweet singing can; although
| thousands of miles and several years
lay between ne and the dear home III
Carolina, I was carried back in mem
DRY to the family circle bowling in eve,
ming worship, with which my earliest
recollcctions in life are blended very
tendrrly. Following the singing, Su
offered an humble and fervent prayer
| regret that ] cannot recall it word to
! word and translate it into English, for
at the time, it made Il deep impression