Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-06
Merry Co. Round in Samoa.

A misguided individual went TO Apia
not long ago. Most individuals may be
regarded as essentially misguided who
go to Samoa without having completed
their arrangements for going further
without loss of time or else coming
back: but this was a glazing instance.
The individual brought with him a
merry go-round. a triple combination
of the wooden horses. the melancholy
hand organ and the peanut roaster
all embraced in Il gaudy signboard
reading. The American Steam Rid
ing Gallery" With this triplet of at
fractions the proprietor expected to
gather a large amount of coin from
the amusement-loving islanders.
There was every kind of hitch in get
ting the machinery put up, the track
would not ballast level. the boiler
would not boil water, the steam en-
CINE would not go. and the opening
performance was continually being
postponed until repairs could be effert-
ed. The only man on the beach who
understood such machinery was in Jail
for arson. having set fire to the foreign
church. Some of the residents felt
little nervous when he was leased to
eiC -So-fouuu even
it did add a shilling day to the mu-
nicipal revenue. for it was feared that
he might slip away from the fat half
caste policeman detailed to watch him
and might set something else on fire.
Those were great days for the idle Sa-
means of Apia, for as soon as the ma
chinery had been patched up and look
ed to be in running order it was neces-
sary to give it test, and that meant a
free ride for all the idlers in the neigh
borhood.
a, last the machinery was tinkered to-
around. the organ would play during par,
of the show. at least. and the shria whis-
tle OF the peanut rooster rose above the
loud chatter of all the Samoans who had
gathered from miles up and down the
coast TO see the "kifanga," or jugglerv
as they call anything in the way of
amusement anus. 1t was sixpence to ride, and
every ISLANDER, old and young had TO
nave siXpence. Never before had the
white residents had such golden oppor-
lnnities 20 buy fresh vegetables. Eggs
tried cajolery and tricks of all sorts 20
get the small coin which would procure
them the right to career slowly around
tne circle r, astrite a diminutive wooden
steed: The show became a great nuis-
aance by attracting all the idle and worth
less natives from far and near 1t even
got INTO the region of the higher poll
ties when towns in rebel districts soilght
TO get Il safe conduct to come into Apia
TO ride on the horses of which the knowj-
edge spread far and wide. The disaffect-
go charged II up as another item against
King Malietoa that he shut them out
from this civilzing spectacle simply be-
cause he was afraid of them.
But, with all this, the proprietor of the
great moral show was not happy He 1
had a large free list of those who brought
WOOD and water for the engine and those
VINO had gratuitously assisted him in put
ting the machinery in place, or said tina
they had done So But 1t was like draw
ing teeth TO get the sixpences. After a |
few days he hat to bisect his rates and
give two rides for sixpence. Even at
that he was forced to stop running, ev-
cry evening and finally got down to two |
performances a week. 1t is safe to say i
that he will never forget his disastrous
to people habitually penniless. The
month of his exhibition was surely run |
at a loss. and he had an unexpected bill !
for repairs.
When he set up his horses in Apia they
were really a fine collection of we'll |
groomed little steeds. Each one had a |
LOWING name and a ruffied tail, in color
with which the body was ornamented. |
through all the ages Samoa had been
waiting for something of that sort. All
tibres tied on a stick. 1t is badge of Of
flee with some. and with all it is great /
convenience for dispensing flies crawling
between the bare shoulder blades. BY |
the time the show was ready to pack mn
and move along to more appreciative re-
glons two things had happened the con-
nection between which was anything but
remote. Not a single one of the wooden
horses was left with SO much as a soil
tary hair to mark the former site of name
or tail: and most of the elderly Samoans
hair fiappers. Samoa is hoping for the
coming of another outfit of the wooden
horses with real hair trimmings.