Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-12-03
LEAVES ON THE
RIVER PAS/G
Geoooooeooepoeoc9as.a
BY w. o.

/ 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.
AS a rule they are not accorded the dig
nifty of a name; but this one was
known as the "Boulong casco," be-
1t was owned and manned by
members of n family. Santiago Bou-
long was steersman, his three sons
were polemen, and Simplicia, the
daughter, was ell capitan--her father
said, a~ffectionately. The permanent
home was a 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 lignt-complexioned type, pretty
even when Judged by our Standards, of
which fact she was aware.
"The river, the river" she said to
herself, petulantly, always the river.
| was born on the river, and I have
been going up and down the river all
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"
1t was a clear, warm night, and the
ripping water of the Pasig glistened in
the moonlight, so that she could see
the 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
to 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
where there were stores that exhibited
splendors from all countries. She
hoped that n of her brothers would
hire a 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 men, 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
Alhambra cafe, where the Spanish Of
ficers 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, bold men was wonderful,
she thought.
Something bumped against a side Of
the casco, and Simplicia hurried over
to order away a supposed ladrone. She
leaned over the side with such abrupt
ness that the wooden comb slipped
from her heavy mass of black hair.
1t fell like a dusky curtain, and
brushed the upturned face of a man.
He was not a little brown Filipino,
but q tall Americana, fair and yellow
haired. He laughed a soft, pleasant
laugh. She drew herself backward
with a frightened cry, but his eyes
held hers. The nan was standing in
a small canoe, steadying his craft by
holding on to the casco.
"Buenos noches," he said, smiling,
He spoke Spanish, but not like a Span
lard or a Tagalo. Simplicia smiled
family. She knew that she should 60
into the nipa cabin, but this handsome
man looked so kind and-Ramon was
a fool. And her father and brothers
were selfish, and
So Simplicia returned the salutation.
and stood leaning yer the bulwark
tasting the delirious delight Of her first
Irritation. The mamie was a college
boy until the United States govern
mcnt gave him a suit Of khaki and
the right to bear the former designa-
tlon-thrilled with joy at the delicious
novelty Of the situation. He was In a
city that was at once the tropics and