The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-12
srEvENsoN's ISLAND HOME.
A Reporter Finds Him In and Tells
What He Saw and Heard.
From the san Francisco Examiner.

From the san Francisco Examiner.
"Well, no I'm not passiouately fond of
reporters, particularly the American va
riety, but come on in, and I'll have a go
with you, anyhow"
Such was the greeting with which Rob
ert Louis Stevenson received the an
nouncement of my name and business as
We met on the broad veranda of his island
home, far back in the hills of Upolu, the
land Of the southern cross and the sacred
hen. There was a dim suspicion of a
smile in the depths of his big black eyes,
as he extended his hand-a long, thin,
cool, patrician hand, which fiuttered for
moment in the palm of my large, moist
paw. Then he withdrew a step, hitched
up his trousers, and eyed me with the
air of man who could read the thoughts
Of another better than he could express
them himself. | started in to explain that
my business was not to misrepresent or
garble the statements of earth's greatest
living novelist.
That's all right he said, laughing.
Come in anG see what there is to be
seen and ask US all sorts of questions.
Then run riot with your pen, ana when
The paper comes I'll read the article,
damn till the air is blue, and everything
VII be all right
treasured Oy this cheerful view of the
future | followed the marvellous man of
letters into The house, where | had what
/ We since tried to persuade myself was an
interview with him. But, after carefully
reviewing the hour we spent together,
an impressed with a vague, uneasy sus-
pcon that he interviewed me- How
ever, we exchanged large quantities of
words of an uncOmprOmising nature, inter
Spersed with beer and anecdote. While
extremely cordial in his manner, the
novelist talked guardedly, and was care
III! not TO commit himself on any vital
POINT. He sUeered wide of politics and all
9.ler matters pertaining TO the situation
IN the islands.
tie sat directly in front of me. view
ing the ceiling i'll a retrospective man
uer and holding homemade cigarette
IL his right hand. On a table within
easy reach stood can of tobacco, from
winch he rolled fresh smoke as soon as
yle old one gave out. His attire consisted
SIMPLY OF tighU-ttting, sleeveless under
euIrJ' cut deCoiette, and which sci off his
SParsely settled figure in startling relief.
u PAIR OF black trousers, rolled up half
way TO the knees, completed the toilet of
us eccentric genius of the south seas
MS teet were bare. While talking he
tested his right foot across his left knee.
~ was symmetrical foot. long and slen-
yer and beautifully arched, and as he
.1.Hed he gently toyed among his shapely
Toes with his disengaged hand. Some
now, 1t occurred TO me while noticing
Hese peculiarities that any man who
would describe Robert Louis Stevenson
as half clad when he was fully two
,,u1as covered was taken a mean advan-
aye OF the authors Hospitality.
:, III stature Stevenson is a little above
tIe medium, but wofully thin and pale.
aiIS lace Is gaunt and hagqard, and wears
G G expression of continual WEAKNESS. In
stagl' ne Is i'll most of the time, but is uni
,,orully good-natured in spite Of his affiic-
SouS' Callers are numerous at the big
o oSuse IN Che hills, dropping in at all hours
j., me day and on all kinds of business,
W., ~ the novelist Is always ready to meet
mise social obligations.
T. we talked on various topics, subject to
nla.trfuptlons, some of them of startling
oG.lre. MIR. Stevenson was preparing for
UP TO Honolulu and the house was in
SydIe OF turmoil incident to packing
" u.As and bags. Mrs. Stevenson sat on
,ug loor at one END of the table enjoying
rIsarette Of ner own manufacture and
p1Tf45lhg shells in a cigar box for a friend
- honolulu. In the midst of an interest
s narrative touching on the disgraceful
~0Nuuct Of American men-of-wars-men in