Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-01-20
Written Especially for this Paper,
BY h. c. Willard, Of La Fargo.

harbor of Apia is very beautiful Il
is wide and open to the sea-wider
indeed than the sailor hkes-and
overshadowed by green and blue hills
of softest outline and brightest color.
As the anchor ratified down we rear
ize we are in yet another world. 1t Is
unlike Tonga and the impression is
created s.,4eady that this is lovely,
dreamy, golden land. 1t . claimed
there is nothing in all the south seas
that is quite like sweet Samoa. Tie
town of Apia stretches out along the
bay, irregular, thickiy wooded and
very picturesque. On our right lies
the grim skeleton of the German war
shin Adler. wrecked in the hurricane
of 1889. On the left, at anchor. is a
German warship, while near her is an
American gunboat over from Pago-
Page to receive mail. At one time
these islands were under the joint
control of Great Britain, Germany and
the United States. In the dicker
which resulted after finding 1t impos-
sible to dwell together in peace, Ger
many was given all the islands, ex-
cept Tutuila which we hold and on
which is a naval station at Pago-
Page harbor.
A Diplomatic Yank.
NV ticket was good only for three
months, which would not permit me
to stop here four weeks and then four
weeks at Fiji, as desired to do. But
its validity was kindly extended by
the purser upon request. The first
thing comes the collector of customs
accompanied by two stalwart native
police and the three remain on board
as long as the ship remains in German
waters. His word is law, too, on
that British ship, which causes divers
and various British subjects thereon
travelling to get on their dignity and
utter much strong language, but fin
ally to get off again if they desire to
90 on shore. / thought, as humble
citizen of the United States, the best
thing to do under the circumstances
was to keep quiet and await develop
ments. Soon there came the pro
prietor of the Tivoli hotel who solicit
ed my patronage and IL l wasn't suit
ed with his place offered bis assist
ance to get one that did. So went
forward TO the head of the gang-way
where the collector of customs was
stationed, dreading the ordeal. l pre-
sented my letter of introduction from
the governor of Wisconsin, which
has the large red seal of the state on
it. After he read it l stated that I de-
sired to go ashore to see If could
secure quarters till the next boat
came. He said "all right" and down
I went saw the room; got terms,
which were very liberal considering
the published tariff; took a look
about town for an hour or two and
then returned and closed the bargain,
as / found no place that suited me as
we'll He then sent one of his native
porters with me by the regular IL
censed boatmen who attends to all
that business for the hotel, to the
steamer for my things.
l found the collector on deck and
informed him / had come for my bag
gage. Would he go to my room and
make the examination? When we got
there showed him the parcels; put
my suitcase upon a seat; put my hand
in my pocket for the key, when he
asked if had any firearms or cart
ridges. Upon my answering in the
negative, still fumbling for my key,
though my fingers were on it all the
tine, he said, "all right go ahead"
aid that was all there was of it.
There, wasn't that better than to rip
and roar-rub the hair the wrong way
and be subjected to all sorts of an
noyances? Later | asked him if ne
wanted the deposit of my ticket or
the $40 in money. He replied. mo"
One passenger who made him mad
had to go to the customs house on
shore, open all his trunks, unpack
and unroll everything he had. He
hour to repack.
For the first few days after landing
/ stuck pretty close to the cool, shady
verandas on account of extreme heat
during the middle of the day. When ]
did go out, for the first time in my
life l had to use an umbrella to keep
the sun off. Towards evening the
natives are to be seen in large mum.
bers on the principal street, trading
at the stores, visiting or merely out
to see and be seen.
Graceful, Shaoey, Handsome Sa.
means.
What magnificent people they arel
How handsome with their gold-bronze
skins. the men clothed only in the
lava-lava or kell of pale green, rose.
color or lavender, which only covers
the loins and knees, and harmonizes
beautifully with their bronzed skins.
The Samoan girls are celebrated for
their loneliness and charm, and no
one can help but look with interest
on the many graceful feminine forms
that pass up and down the main
street of Apia. They wear the lava
lava like the men and in addition a
loose tunic like a herald's tabsrd
short sieeved, to show the beautiful
arm that Is the birthright of all Sa
moan girls. Ine colors worn are vivid
brilliant scarlet, pink. lemon and emer
aid greenland the hair is becomingl.
dressed high upon the head. with {
crimson hibiscus behind the ear, and