Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-12-20

right rose the sharp purple peaks OF
the Fijian Sierra. The interior OF the
houses We're very similar, all being
matched with a species of rush both
roof and walks. Some of them had
windows in the gables and all had
ordinary frame doors. 1t is not easy
to find any undiluleo native simplicity
in these days. The matched walks
were very pretty. but the interior in
tercSted us most Of all. We were
ushered into a large airy apartment,
spacious and lofty. A low bench,
scarcely foot high. ran around the
inner wall at one side but the women,
who were the only people at home,
were all sitting or reclining upon the
rafting laid here and there upon the
floor One of them was cooking fish
on the emberS. which burned on a
| primitive hearth of cobble stones. She
was bending over them blowing with
all her might to keep them aslow, but
stopped TO give up broad smile of
welcome as we entered. Another wom-
an had sewing machine standing
| before her on the floor. on which
she was stitching Sulas. That
was surprise in ma
tive grass hut; it was on1 of the
newest patents, too-a "flatl. A
nude baby crawling near ner gaZed at
the unusual visitors with all his big
black eyes. whilst his mother reached
out for piece of loose calico and
threw it over him. Two other little
urchins peeped in at thu open back
door They looked like lovely bronze
, statuetteS. but the WON n evidently
thought they were not fit company
and motioned them off, just as white
mothers try to keep their babies in tho
background when they have not
donncd their best bibs and fuckers.
As we could only converse by signs
and smiles. except for the remarks
which Mr.. Horne interpreted into
Fliian for us. we did not stay long
enough to bore the ladies'.
We sauntcrcd about the grove, while
Il lovely little boy with soft, harmoni-
ous features, clad only in his tiny
sula kept close to us, accompanied by
much palmer and more fully clothed
child. who knew little English and
was rs cute as young Yankee.
still lovelier girl stood at the door of
another hut, beside Il huge, ugly Sol
ONION islander, who had his face barred
with black steaks by way of dressing
up, and who grinned at us till he
showed his cleaning white teeth Mr..
Horne asked him several questions,
among others upon my doubling IT
this barbarian could really he Chris
tiam to what denomination he be
longrd. "Cuestian." was the ready re-
Spouse. 1t sounded too ludicrouS. so
we called a QueenSlander, whom we
knew to be a Wesleyan, cutting him
short in Irritation with Il native
lady. to introduce him to a brother In
the faith, at which rather fiat Joke the
big savage grinned if possible more
broadly than before A native who
was going into town on an errand had
in the meantime taken an order for
carriage to n livery stable and we sat
in the grove and waited for II. while
some of the others preferred to walk
back.
Before us lay n native canoe hol-
lowed out of 4 tree. Il frame work Tor
CARRYING fruit and SO forth stretched
Que over the side like the Catamarans
of the CingaleSe. The two boys who
had stuck to us got into it and seat
ing themselves comfortably, criticised
MS ut leisure. Mr.. Horne said they
were Specializing "how in the name of
goodness we had got hold Of him."
4 carriage and pair driven by
stalwart driver, clothed in Spotless
white. halted at the style and we babe
adicu to the villagers and hOWled OF
along the coral road to town. We Wis
ited the market where the natives
were Snuatted around their various
wares, chiefly tars and cocoanutS, and
in hopes of catching the foreigner, til"
queer little wooden headrcsts on
which they can prop their necks with
out crushing their elaborate mopS.
We had afternoon tea in a hotel
where the walls were adorned with a
splendid collection OF the native arms
and with cabinets of shells. These
were very valuable. one cowry, of
lovely fawn shade, about two by one
inches, being valued at Is, equal to
500.
We were waited upon by Il solemn
young Solomon islander, rejoicing In
the name of Johnnie" who wore his
mop in it's original black hue and a
very stiff white shirt and high collar
and big cuffs, all of which Mad n very
startling effect in contrast with his
full. short pants and bare legs and
feet; but Johnnie waited we'll in spite
of his heterogeneous garments
We went to inspect curios at another
place the tapa-cloth, cannibal forks
and such like. No genuine forks are
to be had now. The last was sold
| lately to Il collection for $50 and even
an imitation costs a good deal more
than ii is worth. The ohliging Jew,
who showed us these things, asked us
I If we would not like to taste the ma
! five drink OF course we would; so