Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1891-08-20
A LOST TREATY.
The Unpleasant Experience OF an
Emissary to Hawaii.
He Could Not Eat Roast Dog and Live
FIsh Consequently fatisd to
Accomplish HIS
Mission

Accomplish His
Mission
During a recent conversation n we'll
known New Yorker related a story
which explains why France was not
able to carry out a desired negotiation
with the late King Kalakaua, says the
Chicago Post:
ssTherc is nothing especially startling
In the Hawaiian islands," he began,
shut | will relate a bit Of history and
give you a government secret. A year
ago now the French government sent
Paul Leroq, a young Partisan in the
diplomatic service, to make a certain
negotiation with King kclakaua- The
young fellow was bright, entertaining
and made a good impression in the for
eign land. He had general preliminary
talks with the king which were quite
satisfactory, and the business was to be
definitely settled at a dinner given by
the king. NJ. Leroq asked me to be
present at the dinner. The king in
vited young Cumkua, n of his
nephews. 1t was the oldest banquet
that | ever heard of. You know hat
the late king was the prince OF enter
tanners and he spared no expense in
rofaaiy taking care of his friends. After
several courses the king said we were
to be treated to the choicest dish in the
world, called poi The servants
brought in a huge tray, upon which was
q fat, smoking dog. The young French
man started to jump up from the table,
but / held him down, saying in French
that he must put up with anything in
order to carry out his plans.
"'Cheer up | said, as the fat dog was
being carved.
"In eat it if die he said, as he be-
gan to make his word good.
"This poi, as it is called, is the great
est dish in the Sandwich islands. A
young dog is fattened for three months
upon a sort Of native potato called poi.
Then he is ready for the chef. If 1t
were served like roast beef 1t would be
excellent, but the novelty is always
brought on like a beef at a barbecue
head, ears, and all but the bark. The
meat itself did not taste bad, but 1t was
enough to make a Siwash sick to see
I the ours head. Paul Leroq ate a few
mouthfuls, then complimented the dish
with the suavity characteristic Of his
race.
81 am a dead man. he would whis-
per to me in his native language.
"'But you will win out / replied -
/ struggled manfully.
1--WE were tortured for q few mo-
ments, then the poi was taken away.
Now said the king, look out for .
surprise
poor Leroq's face was g study. Ho
did not dare to ask what was the next
sporting event, and / felt as II I were
going through q surgical operation.
"'Do you love miamos?' asked his
royal highness.
"Leroq did not speak for q moment
and pinched hin.
"sDo l love miamos% he asked, half
dazed; why, l love that better than
anything
"'Yes, indeed,'I put in. M. Leroq
was telling me this morning that no
4 grand dipner was complete without
miamos.'
"All the while we we're guessing.
Presently the bells changed and the
servants brought in an immense bowl
filled with little gold fish. They were
some kind of a native minnow such as
we use for bait when fishing. I 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 filed with water. Putting his
hands in his plate he took out a few of
the little fish, pinched them to death,
and ate them with the grace of a swan.
"'This Is too much muttered my
friend.
Eat them II they have fishhooks in
their gills,' l said. Think of your bust
ness which will come up after the din
ner.'
"'Not much he replied. I'd not eat
them 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 Leroq that he grabbed a
handful Of fish and swallowed them
alive. In q few moments he was pale
and dcathly sick.
Pardon me- he said to the king,
Int have one of my old attacks of
chills and fever, ] will retire Then he
turned to me and said in French: The
Hawaiian islands can go to the dogs. If
must be u cannibal to carry out a mis-
sion for my government / will resign
Il left the room to care for him and
was Mortified to hear the young nephew
tell the king every word that Leroq had
spoken in French. That was the last
straw. Leroq tainted away when I
told him that the nephew was a French
scholar, and that treaty with France
has npver been ratified. Leroq never
came back"