The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-05-17
a KING IN EXILE.
lie still Dresscs Gorgeously. Though lie
Is = Monarch without Subjects.


At the Government House receptions
and on other gala occasions here, a
short thick-set negro is ono of tho
most conspicuous persons on view, both
because the newspapers OF Europe and
America have had much to say OF him
for over year. and also on account
OF the extraordinary figure he cuts in
his state costume. He wears an Ad-
mirars coat with immense bullion
epaulettcs, over yellow plush vest
with big green enamel buttons. Tho
vest is cut very low, displaying largo
area of immaculate linen. His Jean
trousers have broad stripes OF blue and
red, and black silk hose and pair OF
gorgeous. llower-embroid cred slippers
cover his neither eXtremities. On his
head he wears broad-brimmed hat OF
African manufacture, something like a
sombrero, and in the band are stuck at
uniform distances five long ostrich
feathers. In his ears are gold rings of
unique design, and encircling his neck
is collar OF sharks teeth. with a
bears tooth tipped with gold by way
of "A pendant. lie wears white cotton
gloves and as many flashy rings as
his fingers and thumbs will accommo-
date.
This rem arkable person is n King in
exile. King ia ia, OF Opobo. West Az
rica, who for many years lorded tower
small district among the oil rive rs OF
the Niger lclta- All the people hero
have the ory of his career at their
iiugers' on Is, and they point him out
TO strangers $ as the boss curiosity OF the
island Trey tell how his natural cum
ming and his unscrupulous nature
lifted him rom slavery to freedom and
sovereignty. They repeat the stories
OF his cannibalism, which are numer.
Gus enough to fill n book. ia ia told
Captain Verney, OF the Royal Navy.
twenty years ago, that all sensible mon
were cannibals, and he said he knew
nothing in the eating line that was
quite so toothsomc rs little boys
ankle. That was before ia ia was
King, but even then he was getting
rich trading with British merchants.
A few years ago ia ia built him new
palace, which was n gorgeous affair as
palaces go in West Africa. Under each
foundation post he buried n slave alivo
about twenty In all, for no earthly rea-
son, apparently. except 10 show that no
had plenty OF slaves TO spare. All the
stories Of his degraded barbarism are
known here, and are told again and
again.
IL is about two years since the crown
ing act Of ia JAS cruelty induced tho
British Grovsrnmcnt TO take his prcc-
ious person into custody and put him
out OF the way Of doing further harm.
For years he had exacted trib,cts upon
every pound OF merchandise that en-
tered or left his country. The white
merchants at last decided that they
would not be blackmailcd by Ja amy
longer. They told him no might mako
rs much money as he pleased in trade,
but he must not moddlo with their bust.
ness. Thereupon he order as- his peo-
pie TO have nothing more TO do with
the white traders, and suspecting TINT
his dutiful subjects In one district wore
still trading with the whites he marched
his little army 30 tho place and In
few days killed 700 people. Then tho
British sent an expedition 10 ia Jas
country and made things very hot him,
and whom they returned 20 the coast
ia ia in chains was the most conspicu-
Gus feature OF the procession.
About year ago ia ia arrived at
Kingston, where, tn Q imperial authori-
tics thought, they could easily keep
him out OF mischief. They gave him
an allowance OF 81, 900 ayear for spend
ing money, and bo has plenty OF money
besides OF his own, though he spends
very little. He nearly died OF home
sickness, ard before long sent a piteous
appeal 70 England for a few compan-
ions 20 cheer him up. He asked that
a dozen OF ais wives be sent TO ST. Vim
cent 70 share his exile. He thought
his request was excee dinghy modest, as
he pctitioned for only "A small part OF
his harcm. Not 20 encourage polyga-
my. howey or, the wise authorities de-
cidcd that me wife was enough, They
grac.ously permitted ia ia TO take his
pick, and o sent for Patience.
Queen atience is here, and is usu-
ally in the society - her liege lord,
who is old enough 10 be her father.
She is a young thing, dark and dumpy,
and Is not At all regal nor digni6cd In
appearance.-Ki Kingston (West lndia)
Cor. y. Y. Sun.