The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-10
A BELLE OF SAMOA.

Sefalina was the prettiest girl on the
Samoan island of Manono. All tho young
manaias smiled at her and brought her
real Observation-Disclosures Of gay
ribbons and parasols whenever they re-
turned from trip to Apia.
The other girls were jealous and said
that she was witch, who turned the
hearts of men with her ugly face; that she
fancied that she was above her comrades,
and of even more Importance than the tan
DO, who was tho daughter of chief Sc
falina, they said, was of poor family,
too, and for this alone she ought to be
tabooed. But she lived merrily along I'M
heedful of tho envious glances cast upon
her.
Now, however, a change was to come.
She was 10 years old and was yet urlnar-
ried. Her parents were alarmed, for 10
be married In Samoa. She would soon DO
an old maid and would he obliged to mar
ry soma common man, for In Samoa every
one ia married sooner or later.
1t was In vain that her parents expostu-
lated with her and begged her to listen to
the plsadings of some dusky youth. She
would always say, 'Leai, fllimuf'-no,
be quet-and run off to the woods, where
she gathered flowers and played with the
birds all day long -
1t was as she came tripping down the
mountain side from one of these excur-
sions that young Talinu, tho high chief of
Apolima, first saw her. He heard sweet
voice singing little uatiyS melody, grow
ing moro and moro distinct as tho owner
of tho voice approached him, and lie sud-
denly found himself face to face with the
most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
Her lava-iava, or skirt, was of native
tapa, stained in gorgeous figures Of scar
let and brown. A tipouta or loose blouse
of thin yellow tapa, borlored around the
neck with fluffy ruching, covered the up
per part of her body. Her feet were bare rs
were her round, glistening, brown arms.
Behind her left ear was scarlet hibiscus,
peeping out through soft brown curl,
and round her neck was a string Of GRIM
son sen beans.
Sho carried basket made of q woven
palm leaf, filed with gorgeous tropical
flowers, and the brilliant light Of tho sun,
FILLING upon her ard Illuminating the
background of green, MADE her seem like
some wood nyinph just stepping out of
her sylvan cave
ITALIAN had seen many Samoan bellies.
He had Eeen courtcd ON all sides because
Of his high rank, but never hefore hud he
been impressed like this. The sonth sen
Cupid had sent an arrow straight into his
savage breast. AS ho greeted lGr with the
usual "Talofa '-my loyo to yau--ho made
up Lis mind that Sefalinu must be his
bride.
Sho locked up at him innocently and
replied, Soifuat"--may God bless you'll
and passed on down tho mountain.
The next day four Samoan girls came
to tho house ct Scfalina, each bearing
fine, INIT, the gifts Of Italian, and withina
week formal proposal was mado by Tai
iau for tho hand of Sefalina. For, however
slowly the Samoans may move IN matters
Of labor, in love affairs there Is no lag.
ging,
But Sefalinu still said, "Leai.' ITALIAN
WINS rich, but she did not care for his fine
mats She did not like him, and sho would
not marry him.
This time, however, her parents were
firm. Old Aeli, her father, would not heHr
of letting tho chance go by Of uniting his
family, which was Of humble origin, with
that of SO high a chief ms Taliau, and he
stcrnly bado his daughter DO quiet and
make ready for the engagement. In Samoa
the father s wcrd is law. and when her en-
treaties awaited nothing Sefalin9 could not
rebel.
At first she grew angry; then, as the ia
tai day arrived, sad and melancholy. All
ba lonI fa,r A
lima to witness the marriage of their chief
The five suitors of Sefalina--Talau and
four others-were placed in the upper por-
ton Of Samoan house made for the pur-
pose, and each one of them was presented
with q palm leaf, which he was to put
through crack Id the floor. Sefnlina was
in the lower portion Of the house, and as
she pulled each of these palms In success
sion the owner, who was concealed above,
was to speak her name.
II 1t was the right person who thus
spoke, she was to say, "Tbis Is the voice
of him whom wish to marry" If, how
ever, the owner of the FIRST palm leaf was
not the successful candidate for the maid.
ems affections, she would say, "This Is
not the voice OF him wish to marry, and
would pass on to the next
Sefalina pulled the first, second, third
and fourth leaves, and to each one gave
the expected answer. She paused before
the fifth and last, and then, stepping for
ward with look of determination on her
face gave it a resolute pull. As the loud
voice of Taliau pronounced her name she
answered in firm, clear tones, "This is not
the voice of him wish to marry"
A hush Of astonishmsgt fell upon the
multitllo. Then a young talking man,
who had been standing ready to cover
Sefalina with fine mats, spoke out: This
daughter of the people has refused to
marry Taliau, the high chief of Apolima
1t is foul trick. Her father shall be
punished for thus playing with the tribe
Of Taliau. Down with himp'
But old Aeli, his bronze skin crimson