New-York tribune., 1900-01-28

round, stared frankly over the high back OF
the pew. All the crones in Vavau, looking the
/ more hideOus for their close cropped heads.
toothless mouths and babyish muslin frocks
reaching only TO the knee, seemed to have
served their energies for that moment Chat
teTlng and gabbling, they surrounded the girl,
| who stood silent. resigned to their treatment
as to an ordeal that must be endured. The little
loose jacket of scarlet satin which, in accord
ance with the native fashion. did not reach tn
the waist, first removed. That it was the
property of our hostess and had merely been
lent for the occasion, evident, for Taimi
was at hand to receive it. and lost no time in
carrying it away to stow il in the Tongan equiv
alent for q wardrobe. The scarlet bodice
replaced with one of white muslin Then,
CeJoIceG prelnatuFcly In that the bride had been
relieved of some of her burden Of clothes. the
hags brought in fresh supply Of tapa, and, the
SFI retaining lhc peEpeiGIcu.-T 10y resting her
hands on the shoulders OF two stlIwart matrons,
wound the clumsy stuff round and round her
graceful form Entering with obvious zcst into
their task, they bound the harsh tapa tightly
about her, using great eXcTtons to compress
each fresh layer so that more might be piled on.
and swathing each robe securely place with
long narrow bands il the height Of the
hurricane season. and the temperature in the
shade reached some prepOsterOus degree. Yet.
! sustained by pride, the martyr submitted to it
all giving but an occasional sign of the discou-
fort under which she labOred by rubbing her
/ wet face with q pocket handkerchief which
rolled up in a damp bali in her hand.
When the hags desisted the operation was SO
complete that the poor brides arms were forced
to remain horizontal it being impossible, from
the bulging mass Of clothing below. for her To
lower them, or indeed TO make any dlspcslton
I save by folding them over her breast. Then.
producing q long -leCkcu BOILe OF ILldL utiSiNDIG
cosmetic, cocoanut oil, the dressers poured II IN
/ quantity over their victims shoulders and
1 srneared her face with it, finally putting the
neck of the bottle to her lips. giving her To
drink. The toilet completed To their satisfaction.
the novice in matrimony was soiemnly assisted
down the step of the door and escorted back u
her former seat, where she once more perched
/ upon her mothers knee.
/ The ceremonial had reached a more advanced
stage. The young mon, still in picturesque pro-
! CCssiOn carried off the food laden kits and. to
! the accompaniInent of new chorus began the
I making % kaVa T3Eing- stalks ID the
plant, two quickly stripped away the dark
| outer bark. and laying the white pith on one
fiat stone, beat It to pulp with another The
great kava bowl, hollow dish supported by
! several feet-the whole carved out of solid
root placed therein. water being poured over IL
The maker in chief then went through a process
Of stirring, the drcgs being ultimately strained
| out with bunch of hibiscus fibre.
THE KAVA-DRINKING.
The beverage ready, the mother of the bride
groom filed drinking cup made Of half
coanut shell wrought by use to a wonderful de-
gree Of polish, and conveyed it with due defer
| ence to her sons wife. who Still sitting
der the fiimsy awning, patiently suffOcating in
| her superfuity OF clothing. And II ever human
being stood in need OF liquid refrcshment, that
I poor woman did. The second draught the bene-
dict, who had employed the interval pleasantly
/ in smoking a cigarette among his male COM
panions, himself carried to the Artist, who later
I declared kava TO be a SlnSuIarly lnslpld drink.
Then in rapid succession the more important
members of the community were served, each
completely emptying the cup in one breath, and
/ then deXterousIy spinning the empty shell over
/ the grass toward the giver the bride being the
! only woman TO whom kaVa offered.
/ When the kava bowl dry, the wholesale
1 distribution of food began. The pigs which had
I been taken away were cut up and distributed
! to the guests. The portions intended for the
relatives and special friends We're divided before
the brides daIs First the brides father. assist
/ ed by another carried in q kit containing a fine
| roast pig and full of baked ydmS. Then the
BRIDEGROOM. hndered rather than helped by two
/ giggling young sisters, brought forward the pig
and vans he had provided. Armed with long
sharp knives. the two men. kneeling on the
grass. dcxterOusy divided the Carcasses into
Joints: and the carving proceeded they laid
each portion of pork with its complement of
yam a fresh banana leaf ready for serving.
None were helped however. until the mother OF
the bridegroom had brought the pigs liver, the
special titbit which had been skewered on the
breast Of the animal. and laid il at the feet OF
the aIl-cnduring bride
The unconventional repast finished Taimi
signed her handmaiden. who produced the
South Sea equivalent for the finger bowl and
napkin of society, in tho shape of tin basin or
water and a bath towel BY this time the welded
pair had vanished, and them no more.
The orange grove merry with picnlcklnS
parties who, scattered about in the shade,
feasted with the Zest Of those to whom flesh IS
rarity.
! Bidding farewell to Taimi, whose innate cOur-
tesy had prevented her betraying any sign OF
our faces to where the Tavuini waited. with
steam up. 10 bear US away.
THE EMPRESS ELIZ4BETH'S 1CHILLEION.
From The London Chronicle.