The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-03-15

| ehOA Q oi IN ~ OAu pbu COuCcIIb Wlbu Ilhu-
dolins, banjos and dozen reed iustru-
ments not known outside the tropics
on the piazzas almost every evening.
Mr.. Ah Fong, true to the character
istics of his race, never abandoned his
Chinese mode of life. His wife and
his fast increasing family might think
and do as they liked, for he was an in
dulgent father, but he never gave up
his chop-sticks and ais wooden shoes
and flowing garments of gaudy silks.
Occasionally when this wagon load of
gayly gowned femininity drove down
to the Honolulu wharf to give well
coming hand to people from the
steamer or man-of-war he would please
his daughters by putting his long
black cue under his derby hat. He
was the soul of hospitality, and he
loved to give big spreads at home.
An Fong Sails Away.
In the spring OF 1892 Mr.. All Fong
planned visit to China with his
eldest son, about seventeen years old.
The man had become very wealthy
in fact, one of the four richest men in
the Hawaiian Islands. His invest
ments in stock in the sugar companies
had paid themselves out six and seven
times over. He made over $500, 900
in one deal in sugar stock to Claus
Spreckels. of San Francisco. Hun
dreds of acres of land on the Island of
Maui that had cost him few thou
sand dollars had become worth many
times more. He was popularly rated
at about 81, 900, 900, with an income of
over $40, 900 year, and the estimate
seems to have been just.
In the summer of 1892 Mr. All Fong
had so arranged his business that he
and his son sailed away for Hong
Kong. When six months had passed
and the rich Chinaman had not re-
turned there was some comment. But
when year went by aud he was still
absent all Honolulu was interested.
Mrs, All Fong and her lovely daugh-
ters never spoke ON the subject-at
least, to outsiders. Then the Chinese
in Honolulu began to get news from
relatives and friends in China, and the
information became general in the city
that All Fong had gone to visit in
Pekin, and that by the laws of China
he came very near going to prison for
o long term for going to a foreign
land. The gossip had it also that Mr..
All Fong had paid fine of many thou
sands of dollars and had settled down
with a good-sized fortune to live all
his days in Pekin. How much OF
this is mere gossip and how much his
tory no one can say confidently. At
any rate the All Fong family in Homo
lulu believes the story as to the fate
that befell Papa All Fong in Pekin.
Moreover, the Honolulu and San
Francisco newspapers published the
gossip about Mr.. All Fcng and no one
has yet contradicted them.
Mrs. All Fong and her children
have gone right along, apparently
needless of the absence of the hus-
band and father. The estate is we'll
managed and is in such shape that it
earns its dividends with little personal
care of the family. When the first
daughter was married to Captain
Whiting it was decided that each girl
should have her share Of the family
patrimony when she married. Mrs.
Whiting got 100000 in cash and
$3.50, 900 in property and securities.
So it was then settled also that the
dowries were to consist of money and
property or securities TO the value of
$3.50, 900 each.
Girls All winsome, Some Beautiful.
Eight of the thirteen girls are un-
usually attractive and would be much
observed in any general assemblage
Of young women the world over. All
the All Fong girls are petite and have
peculiarly graceful ways, winning
voices and certain vivacity that has
no comparable counterpart in Am sri
can life. They range in height from
five feet two to five feet seven, with
the average at about five feet five.
All the All Fong girls are good sing
ers, and have the love of the Ha-
waiians for string music. For years
the girls have been famous for their
waltzing. Many a naval officer has
sailed away from Honolulu harbor
with fond remembrance of his first ap.
probation of the soulfulness and
beauty of Strauss waltzes after a
party at the All Fong house. Five of
the girls are unusually handsome and
would win attention for that reason
alone in any society. Two or three of |
the girls have the Chinese almond
shaped eyes quite marked, and they
feel dreadfully about it. But they |
are the very jolliest of the All Fongs, |
and by the graces and accomplish
ments that they have evidently studied |
to overcome any facial defect, they
are particularly popular. Two more
have faint suggestion of slanting
eyes, but their superb compilations
and limpid dark eyes make them par
ticularly prepossessing.
All the All Fong girls have dark
hair. Four have deep olive COM
plexions, five are as dark as American
brunettes and four have light com
plexions. They all have small hands
and feet. One or two of them are
what would be called fairly fat, but
none of the others can weigh over 130 |
pounds.
Stylish and Picturesque.