The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-12-11
LEAVES ON II
RIVER PAS/G
Aaoooooeapooooooopoo
by w. 0.

THE Boulong casco lay off the Quia-
l. pc market, which is on the left
bank OF the Pasig, just below the sus-
pension bridge. The Chinese junk
tradition says-was modelled after a
whimsical emperor's shoe, consequent
ly the cascos of the Philippines, be-
ing really junks without sails, are not
very dainty bits of naval architecture e.
AS a rule they are not accorded the dig
nifty of a name; but this, one was
known as the "Boulong casco,'' be-
cause it was owned and manned by
members of n family. Santiago Bou-
long was steersman, his three sons
were p%olenaen, and Simplicia, the
daughter, was ell capitan-her father
said, ~affectionately. The permanent
home was q little nipa-thatch shelter at
the stern Of the vessel.
The men had gone ashore shortly
after the mooring-the father on bust
ness, the sons on pleasure bent-and
Simplicia, much to her disgust, was
left on board. She was a Tagalo girl,
of the Observation-Disclosures type, pretty
even when judged by our standards, of
which fact she was aware.
THE river, the river" she said to
herself, p%etulaHtly, always the river.
L was born on the river, and l have
my life. When we come to Manila |
may go ashore for a few hours only,
and then the river again-and the lake.
And Ramon is a fool"
It was a clear, warm night, and the
ripping water Of the Pasig glistened in
the moonlight, SO that she could see
h leaves rush by in clusters. Ramon
had said: think of me when you see
the leaves on the river-the bright
green leaves from the dear lake coun-
try. 1t seems sad to think that they
must float down past the city where the
water is fouled, and then GUITAR out
Ito be lost on the big salt sea- But
/ Ramon was always saying queer things
that she could not understand.
The murmur of drowsy voices came
from the crowded huts of the market
place. Oh, how long till morning!
She wanted to buy some bits of finery
there, and then to stroll through the
city, especially along the Escolta
~ to1G thdI SAtiUlIGQ
splendors from all countries. She
hoped that n of her brothers would
hire q carametta the next evening,
and take her to the Lunetta, where the
wealthy Of Manila c~ongregated to en-
Joy the cool night air and the con-
CERT. A band of Americanos played
there every evening.
They were wonderful mon, these
american soldiers, much taller than
Filipinos or Spaniards, and many Of
them had blue eyes and hair of the
color OF gold. The pride OF kings was
IN their stride, and they looked as
though they feared nothing.
Farther on down the river at the
ALEXANDRA cafe, where the Spanish Of
fcers once gathered to hear the music
of Spain, the orchestra played a new
air that delighted her. There was a
burst OF cheering. The music was
Dixie and the demonstration was
made by some Tennessee volunteers.
From the Quartet Infanteria, across
the river, the American bugles began
to shrill a TATTOO. Their music was
notwithstanding pertaining to
these big, bol men was wonderful,
h thought.
Something bumped against a side Of
he caseo, h Simplicia hurried over
TO order away q supposed ladrone. She
1eansd owe the side with such abrupt
ness that the wooden comb slipped
from her heavy mass Of blaci, hair.
g fell like q dusky curtain, ard
brushed the npturned face CT a man.
He Was not a little brown Filipino,
bat tall Americana, fair and yellow
He laughed d soft, pleasant
laugh She drew herself backward
ssyfthasa frightened cTy, bu eyes
held hers. The man was standing In
"A small canoe, steadying his craft BY
Neutrality-suspicious. the casco.
Buenos nochess he said smiling.
He slokespanish, but not Hkea Span
lara pr Tagalo. Smplicia smiled
ssxaintlg SaeskneN that she shaaId "a
Into thesnlpacabin. but tits handsome