The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1898-03-11
\ SOUTH SEA PARADISE.


the coral gardens which carpet the cx-
panse below them: long, low stretch
Of beach, bordered with lofty palms,
incline gracefully i'll their various an
giles, interspersed by numerous thatcll-
ed roofs, extending far over the gables
of the native hamlets; bright cheerful
rows of cottages shaded by majestic
trees; all background by skywarl
miles of savage rocks, whose tops break
into bold crags, the whole presenting
restful harmony in browns and grays
This is Tahiti, the paradise of the Pa
cific. Hidden by the spreading branch
es of bread fruit trees, Papeete, its
capital, stretches gracefully along the
beach and extends back to the foot
hills, the most beautiful spot in the
great ''milky way OF the ocean," Be-
held from the deck of the incoming
mail, the picture is strikingly pretty
and rcstful to the eye. Along the
sward stroll bevies Of dark eyed girls
attired in light muslins, with here and
there gaudy shawl giving color to
the view; down the beach the 1.-the,
lean lads centre their ponies, looking,
as they dash by, for approving glances
from their elders, who squat upon the
ground or lean against the trunks of
tall palms, i'll listless dreaminess, at
peace with themselves and the world.
In the distance Morea, Tahiti's sis
ter island, looms grandly up against a
background of amber and gold. As
evening falls the sky assumes an even
tint of dark metallic blue, in whose
depths twinkle the stars: growing in
distinct, Morea fades away into the
gathering darkness, and twilight pre-
walls. Above the cocoanut palms, sill
.lnuctted against the sky, rises the
moon, and darts its shimmering rays
across the water to where the ships in
the gloom ride at anchor. Brawny
natives in their slim canoes dart be-
tween them on their way to the fishing
grounds, as the belfry chime sounds
ne hour of seven. Down the hyways
leading to the market place, in groups
and singlv, come the natives. Finish
ed with their evening meal, they gath
er to gossip, drink, dance, sing, and
make merry. About the fountain
they congregate in groups, and chant
their peculiar, monotonous music,
while bronzed "Othello" ladcns the
air with the wailing strains of an &C
cordeon or harmonica, mingling its
dirge with the drip of the fountain.
Peals of bibulous hilarity come from
restaurants and saloons in the Span
ish-like edifices which surround the
square Shy damsels promenade with
their lovers, exchanging the same old
secrets.
Thus the evening passes, and the
'.curtew" tells the hour of ten, hclng
lawful time for all merry makers to dis
perse to their respective abodes. \
few moments, and the last straggler
passcss from view. The rising moon,
mellow and radiant, fills the air with a
magical light, and the silence is un-
broken save by the ceaselcss pounding
of the ocean upon its corol barrier,
sending hollow, rolling boom over
the pallid sea. Along the roads the
street lanterns scintillatc like stars of
the first magnitude, casting their rays
in wavering shadows that vanish into
darkness. The twinkling stars have
dipped into the far Pacific. Golden
lances pierce the haze over the hills.
and the sun shines bright DER the
town of Papeete.
1t is Sunday morning, the Tahi-
| tienne's Jubilee day, when the feast
rules the hour and the rum bottle is
KING. From all the surrounding coun-
try and neighboring villages, groups OF
girls in holiday Mother Hubbard
gowns and flower wrcathed hats; and
chocolate colored men, attired in gay
colorcd singlets and parens, pass each
other on the way to town. n.he mar
kct place, procuring supplies for the
days feasting, or sitting by the foun-
tain and gossipine in the cheerful sun.
The marketing finished and the news
all told, the bronzed gathering dis
perses, vending their way to their va
rious haunts to pass the day i'll exhilar-
ating their spirits in the flowing bowl.
The Tahiti maid passes by, tall,
stately. with the modesty Of Castll-
ian. and walking like 4 queen. Be
sides personal charms that might awak-
en- the slumbering passions of an an
chorite, she possesses the most exquis
ite gifts. Hor countenance is express
sivc. and her dark sparkling eyes beam
with intelligence. Her hair is like jet,
and glossy as ravens plume. The
warm sun OF ages has tinged her check
! with Il hue of brown, but her complex
ion is as clear as the tropical sky above
her. Her companion walks by her
sidc-with measured dignity. His
finely formed, manly person, his dark
er complexion, and stately bearing,
! make fitting contrast to her softer