Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-01-15

assembled on Mulnuu Point. just outside Apia
and there took place almost daily some decid
eddy picturesque doings.
Biggest and best of these naturally, was the
coronation of the white-hared old chief, though
the word is a misnomer for there was no crown
Mataafa sat alone in the center Of a large open
space, and all around, in the shelter of palms
and banana trees were thousands Of natives and
the entire white population of Upola island. The
kings own house turned to the con-
suls naval officers and other distinguished per-
sons. When all was ready five ancient talking
m,A' representing the chief districts advanced
until within hundred feet Of MataafL and de-
llvered long addresses to him upon his duties
as ruler concluding with the administering Of
what passed for the oath of office. The king
replied with utmost dignity, rising to speak, and
the talking men thereupon closed in on him and
anointed his head with a sacred oil His
majesty then retired amid the loud cheers OF
his people, and the rest of the afternoon and
the evening was given up to feasting, The inno-
cent revelries were not lessened by the fact that
bloody war was imminent On the other side
OF the town were encamped the forces of Tanu,
and to preciptate the conflict there was needed
Only the decision of the white Judge Of the SUI
prame court that Mataafa's election was invalid
That came later, and SO did the fighting.
Next day we all went out again to see "talo
10 or food procession. Once more Mataafa sat
lire of men, women and children. Leading the
delegation from each district or village was its
especial taupo the maiden who is designated
official hostess OF her village and who retains
the office until her marriage. She was attred
only in the old-time lava lava, skirt of bark
cloth and her ornaments consisted Of flowers,
wreaths and plenty of palm oil. Chanting some
ancient song in archaic language, she danced in
advance of the slowly moving and chanting pro
ression for some fifty yards and then waited un-
I'll the talking men who led it reached her side.
This was repeated all along the beautiful path
,yay until the throne" was reached. As each
nerson passed the king he or she tossed in a
bean before his majesty some article of food.
One might bring a live pig, trussed up but
souealing; another a squawkng fowl or a fine
FISH wrapped in fresh leaves; another a huge
hunch of bananas, or a basket OF pineapples.
But not one was without his offering, even II 1t
was but q breadfruit or a piece of taro. So,
dancing and singing the parade passed, and
then without any sense of the ridiculous, broke
nm. turned back and helped the king eat up all
the gifts That was indeed a monster feast.
Perhaps the people ate up Mataafas food with
The less conjunction because they knew how
abstemious he was One morning l called on
his majesty by appointment and found him at his
breakfast The royal meal consisted Of a bowl
OF kava and two bananas big purple ones Of a
variety not known here and the king courteous
" ,onered to share the fruit with Grave
viselooking and big physically, mentally and
morally. Mataafa sat there crosslegged in his
sImple hut and chatted with about his loved
friend Robert Louis Stevenson, munching his
banana and driving away the flies with his fly
tanner He was true nobleman and his death
last GUNNER deserved more than the four-line