Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1899-05-26
CHAPTER II.


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Four black horses were coursing to.
ward us. Uncle Tom reined in his
team, so that we could better observe
our future ruler. The queen lay back
upon cushions, her dark-skinned face
shaded from the sun by gorgeous
umbrella of ,lace. She was fat and
coarse-looking. Away from her royal
trappings, would have concluded she
might make first-class cook for an
American family. 1 mentioned some
thing like that to my uncle. He
laughed heartily.
"You must not say such disloyal
things, Tom, my boy" he said, ''or
you will get yourself and me into no
end Of trouble. The queen deals very
severely with her enemies"
''Then the sooner we make peace
with tine fat lady the better" l said.
"Still, the royalty business may be
trife irksome after our republican
freedom of speech and action"
"Oh, you will not be trammeled in
1ction," replied my uncle. "Guard
Jour speech and yol will get along
l.l right"
We sped along again.
''There is the queens palace" said
my uncle, and Of course Winnie and
were eager to see the home of the
dusky queen.
Set in a beautiful park, surrounded
by palms, orange trees and beautiful
flowers, the white palace showed to
marked advantage. 1t was a large,
square building, nearly all white, with
a tower at each end of the facade. 1t
had innumerable windows and bal
comics, and was surmounted by Gu
pola above which was raised the flag
of Hawaii-which was little else than
modification of the flag of England.
'And is the queen very wealthy"
asked Winnie.
''Her income from the State is
large replied Uncle Tom, "and she
has besides a considerable fortune of
her own. Yes, she is rich enough" "
Having feasted our eyes sufficiently
upon the abode of royalty, we drove
on.
Here comes a man you will be
pleased to meet" said my uncle, rein
ing in his horse again.
A carriage of unpretentious ap-
pearance, drawn by two sleek horses,
came toward us and stopped. In it
was a man / thought of about the
same age as my uncle. He reached
out his hand and grasped my uncle's
firmly.
''How do you do, Mr.. Warning
ford?" he asked heartily. 81 have not
seen You in a week, and thought
perhaps you were ill.,"
''No, but / have been very busy
with the sugar. and a few unruly
Portuguese" replied Uncle Tom.
'And, besides that, I have, as you
know, been making some preparations
to receive my niece and nephew. 1
visited the Office in relation to it the
last time saw you"
All, yes, l remember" said the
gentleman, kindly. 81 fancy they
have come" glancing at Winnie and
me.
'Yes, children" said my uncle, 'let
me present you to the American min
lister, Mr.. Stevens.
OF course, Winnie and I were over
whelmed. But Mr.. Stevens cordially
shook our hands, and spoke feelingly
upon the great bereavement we had
sustained.
''But I am sure you will enjoy your
life here with your uncle" he said.
s'The climate is grand, and there is
just enough romance about the place
to suit young people. We shall be
glad to see you at the Legation at any
time"
'"Thank you, sir" I replied. SIT
will add to our pleasure to have the
friendship of the representative of the
United States"
Minister Stevens smiled and, as he
signaled his coachman to drive on,
said:
81 suppose, of course, you will
bring the young people out, Warning
ford?"
As it seems advisable, replied my
uncle. "Of course, we cannot attend
the balls and official receptions for
time.
"No, certainly not. understand.
But do not let them be strangers,
quite, " and with pleasant smile and
a friendly nod, he was gone.
What splendid man," said Win
ME. ''How kind and genial he is"
"a fine man, truly" replied my
uncle, ''and as true an American as
ever stood in shoe leather"
"But 1 supposed sort of dignity
hedged about minister, and intro
ductions were to be had in state. "
"0h, no, not with Stevens. He and
| have been friendly ever since he
came here. He does not stand very
high with the Queen, however, as he
is too earnest and energetic in look.
ing after the interests of Americans.
"Hoorayl" I said. 'Thats the
kind of man We need in good many
places. l hope Gordon will meet
him. He is just the man to help q
lciioN Alho 0otuOu.
''Who is Gordon?" asked Uncle
Tom.
1 told him about Arthur Gordon
while we drove along. Uncle Tom
seemed in no hurry to get home. He
turned us into another street, upon
which were many elegant residences.
'This is Beretania street" he said,
''and the finest in Honolulu"
After reaching the outskirts Of the
city, we struck into broad level
road, along which the carriage rolled
rapidly and smoothly. On either side
was verdure, the like of which I had
never seen before. Brilliant green
was the prevailing color, but the flow
ers and some of the trees bore beauti-
ful tints that gave a varied grace to
the entire scene. Palm-trees lowered
above us. Long grasses waved their
heads in the balmy breeze. And far