The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-04-08
Thibodaux Sentintl.
THE STORY OF A FAN.
A Dusky Samson Swims Forty Miles With
1t Between His Teeth.

A Dusky Samson wims Forty Miles With
1t Between His Teeth.
It was not one of those dainty Parish
an fans with edges of lace, upon which
were painted a number of charming
figures of shepherdesses and ADS with
a pleasing pastoral background; but it
was a crude, barbaric affair, composed
of skillfully interviewer reeds, circular
IN shape, with a long handle and artis-
tically touched here and there with
bright spots of color. 1t was fragrant
with the odor of the material of which
it was made, and while of no practical
service in modern drawing room days
was extremely decorative when placed
on the wall. 1t was one of those fans
which are associated with a bronze
colored princess in a savage country.
1t seemed especially adapted for the
use of a dusky waiting maid, who,
standing at a respectful distance from
her mistress, would gently wave the
long handle to and fro. 1t was also as
ISOLATED with some island in the Pa
cifc, and looked unique and strange as
an article of decoration.
1t made its entrance into civilized
AiAS ohS oAiSho ooy "iSh dSlCoG q
ciic steamer was approaching the
Samoan islands. The boat was nearly
forty miles from the land when a bright
spot was seen ION the water. AS the
steamer drew nearer, the spot resolved
itself into a swimmer who carried a
fan in his teeth. The captain ordered
h steamer stopped. st is remarka-
bic how far these fellows will swim out
from the shore for the sake of a trife,"
he said. You do not mean to say that
man has swum all the way from land
to us?" observed a pretty woman who
stood on the deck. Yes" replied the
master of the boat, land pretty soon
we will see a lot more of them. This
fellow has ventured more than usual.
Soon the man stood on the deck. He
was a perfect specimen of savage beauty
and did not seem to be exhausted.
He breathed hard, but otherwise show
ed no signs of fatigue. The woman
gazed at him in amazement. One could
not see the land. Il intend to buv that
fan" h said, but there were other
bidders The fan was put up at auction.
The price arose from SO to S25, as sew
SAoA SSlC dlIAlOuS ~ pIeSGuL
it to their sweethearts. Finally the
pretty woman took a ring off her fin
ger. will you take this?" she asked.
The savage did not know its value.
All the rings he had seen were alike,
large and cheap, with enormous, worth
less stones He looked at the ring
and then a smile crossed his dusky
features. The stone in the ring
which was offered him was so SMALL,
He did not know hat it was of more
alu than all the rings on the island.
But when he looked into the earnest
pretty face, the smile vanished and he
handed her the fan. He tried to put
the ring on his finger, but it was too
small, and SO he thrust it into his
mouth, after which he plunged over
board. Then the steamer moved slow.
ly on.
The passengers continued to gaze al
the swimmer, who was quickly left be-
hind. He arose on the waves with mar
velous buoyancy. Suddenly he threw
up an arm and disappeared. They
watched to see him reappear, but they
strained their eyes in vain.
Poor fellow" said the captain.
When they asked his meaning he
merely replied: Sharks" Then many
other swimmers drew near and thew
likewise had fans, while in the distance
were seen the bright-colored sails OF
the boats that were coming to meet the
steamer. Free Press.