Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-03-24
A BELLE OF SAMOA.

Sefalina was the prettiest girl on the
Samoan island Of Manono. All the young
manaias smiled at her and brought her
real apa-lagi-foreign- presents Of gay
ribbons and parasols whenever they re-
turned from a trip to Apia.
The other girls were jealous and said
that she was a 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
pc, who was the 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 the envious glances cast upon
her.
Now, however, a change was to come.
She was 16 years old and was yet unmar-
RED Her parents were alarmed, for 16
years Is very advanced age at which to
be married in Samoa. She would soon be
an old maid and would be Obliged to mar.
ry some common man, for in Samoa every
one is married sooner or later.
1t was in vain that her parents expostu-
lated with her and begged her to listen to
UuO p4CdNllukS Va SOliO Auohy youUAs oAlo
would always say, "Leai, fllimul"-no,
be quiet-and run off to the woods, where
she gathered flowers and played with tho
birds all day long.
1t was as she came tripping down the
mountain side from one Of these excur-
sions that young Taliau, the high chief of
Apolima, first saw her. He heard a sweet
voice singing little native melody, grow
ing more and more distinct as the owner
Of the voice approached him, and he sud-
denly found himself face to face with the
most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
Her lava-lava, or skirt, was of native
tapa, stained in gorgeous figures of scar
let and brown. A tipouta, or loose blouse
of thin yellow tapa, bordered around the
neck with fluffy ruching covered the up
per part of her body. Her feet were bare, as
were her round, glistening, brown arms.
Behind her left ear was scarlet hibiscus,
peeping out through a soft brown curl,
and round her neck was string Of GRIM
son sea beans.
She carried basket made of q woven
palm leaf, filled with gorgeous tropical
flowers, and the brilliant light Of the sun,
falling upon her and Illuminating the
background Of green, made her seem like
some wood 'nymph just stepping out of
her sylvan cave.
Taliau had seen many Samoan bellies.
He had been courted on all sides because
Of his high rank, but never before had he
been impressed like this. The south sea
Cupid had sent an arrow straight into his
savage breast. As he greeted her with the
usual "Talofa" my love to you-he made
up his mind that Sefalina must be his
bride.
She looked up at him innocently and
replied, "Soifua !''-may God bless you'll
and passed on down the mountain.
The next day four Samoan girls came
to the house of Sefalina, each bearing a
fine mat, the gifts Of Taliau, and within a
week formal proposal was made by Tai
iau for the hand Of Sefalina. For, however
slowly the Samoans may move in matters
Of labor, In love affairs there is no lag
ging.
But Sefalina still said, "Leai." Taliau
was rich, but she did not care for his fine
mats She did not like him, and she would
not marry him.
This time, however, her parents were
AIuls OIu fAJlIg uoT lbUlloE3 NOuiu hOU AooA
Of letting the chance 60 by Of uniting his
family, which was Of humble origin, with
that Of so high q chief MS Taliau, and he
sternly babe his daughter be quiet and
make ready for the engagement. In Samoa
the fathers word is law, and when her en-
treaties availed nothing Sefalina could not
rebel.
At first she grew angry; then, as the "a
tai day arrived, sad and melancholy. All
the leading families came over from Apo
lima to witness the marriage Of their chief.
The five suitors of Sefalina -Taliau 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 palm leaf, which he was to put
through crack in the floor. Sefalina was
In the lower portion Of the house, and az
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, "This Is the voice
Of him whom wish to marry" II, 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, ana
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 IL 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 establishment fell upon the
multitude. Then 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 Talinu, the high chief Of Apolima.
II IL q foul trick. Her father shall DO
punished for thus playing with the tribe
Of Taliau. Down with himp'
But old Aeli, his bronze skin crimson
..lAL -. A. ruluN r,.k. gsTA a. = vsalAkn -