The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-11-11
A LOST TREATY.
Tho Unpleasant Experience OF an
Enissary to Hawaii.
IIo Could Not Eat Roast Do;. md Live
Fis! Consequently Ta;iod to
Accomplish Ills
Mission.

During a recent conversation n we'll
known New Yorker related Il story
which explains why France was not
able to carry out u desired negotiation
with the late King kalalaua, saws the
Chicago Post:
There is nothing especially startling
in the Hawaiian islands," lie began.
but / will relate bit of history and
give you government secret. n wear
ago now the French government sent
Paul Lcroq, young Partisan in the
diplomatic service, to make u certain
negotiation with King Kalakaua. Tho
young fellow was bright entertaining
and made Il good impression in the for
cign land. He had general preliminary
talks with the king which were quito
satisfactory, end tho business was to be
definitely settled ut n dinner given by
the king. M. Lcroq asked me to bo
present ut tho dinner. Tho king in
vited young Cunllua, one of his
ncphcws. 1t was the oldest banquet
that l ever heard Of You know that
the late king was the prince of enter
tainers and he spared no expense in
royalty taking care of his friends. After
several courses the king said we wcre
to be treated to the choicest dish in the
world, called poi The servants
brought in Il huge tray, upon which was
fat, smoking dog. The young French
man started to jump up from the table,
but L held him down, saying in French
that he must put up with anything in
order to carry out his plans.
Cheer up | said, rs the fat dog was
being carved.
"'I'l cat it if die he said, as he be-
gan to make his word good.
'cThis poi, rs it is called, is the great
est dish in the Sandwich islands. A
young dog is fattcncd for three months
upon q sort of native potato called poi
Then he is ready for tho chef. If it
were served like roast beef it would be
excellent, but the novelty is always
brought on like beef at Il barbecue
head, ears, and all but the bark. The
meat itself did not taste bad, but it was
enough to make Il Siwash sick to sec
the ours head. Paul Lcroq ate Il few
mouthfuls, then complimcntcd the dish
with the suavity characteristic of his
race.
" I am Il dead man. he would whis-
per to INC in his native language.
But you will win out replied as
I struggled manfully.
1--WE were tortured for few mo-
mcnts, then the poi was taken away.
Now said the king, look out for a
surprise
Poor Leroq's face was 4 study. lie
did not dare to ask what was the next
sporting event, and felt as if 1 were
going through surgical operation.
Do you love nia;nos?' asked his
royal highncss.
"Lcroq did not speak for moment
and l pinched him.
Do love miamos?' he asked half
dazed; why, love that better than
anything
Yes, indeed put in. M. Lcroq
was telling me this morning that no
grand dinner was complete without
miamos.'
Presently the bells changed and the
servants brought in an immense bowl
filled with little gold fish. They were
some kind of Il native minnow such as
We use for bait when fishing. l sup
posed this was but an ornament and
nearly fell out of my shoes when the
king began to serve them in deep plates
half filled with water. Putting his
hands in his plate he took out few of
the little fish, pinched them to death,
and ate them with the grace OF n swan.
:" This is too much,' muttered nv
friend.
Eat them if they have fishhooks in
their gills.' said. Think of your bust
ness which will come up after the din
ncr.'
Not MUCH he replied. I'D not cat
then if could be made president of
France by SO doing
''.Just then the king said something
about the friendly relations between
the Hawaiian government and France.
This SO upset Lcroq that he grabbed Il
handful of fish and swallowed them
alive. In q few moments he was pale
and dcathly sick.
Pardon me- he said to the king,
but have orc of my old attacks of
chills and fever, will retire. Then he
turned to me and said in French: The
Hawaiian islands can so to the dogs. If
must be Il cannibal to carry out Il mis-
sion for ny government will resign
IL lcft the room to care for him and
YVES Mortified to hear the young nephew
tell the king every word that Lcroq had
spoken in French. That was the last
straw. Leroq tainted away when
told him that the nephew was g French
scholar, and that treaty with France
has never been ratified Lcrou never
came back"
Fun ut u Camp Meeting.
The solcmnity of Maine camp meet