The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1921-03-31

brunette Cnlld. One Hdu uccu uScu TO
about Is servants at her home, and to
consider all manual work degrading, but
soon adapted herself to Miss Tilden's
household. They kept no servant and of
course were not used to children, so it
really was very hard for them.
Finally Miss Tilden felt it was too hard
for her mother, who was nearly 80 years
of age, to have the care of Ina, so she put
her In Catholic convent. appeared so
shocked when she told me about it, espec-
cially when she told me that Ina's family
were not Catholic, that she invited me to
60 with her when she took Ina TO the
convent. 1t was a very fine place, but
my heart went out to the little girl. She
came to our house frequently and loved
our player piano. When she stayed to
meal her table manners were very pleas
ing, and she was so appreciative of little
loving interest. Chief Salmon fully in
tended to pay Miss Tilden generously for
Ina's care, but the war broke out Tahiti
passed into the hands of Germany, SO he
had nothing but land. Miss Tilden spent
81, 600 on Ina, and kept her two years,
then her father sent some relative to San
francisco to meet her, and she returned
to Tahiti Her mother died while she
was here, but Ina was not told about it
until she was starting home. She has
written katherine many letters some of
which | am enclosing. She has twice
spoken of sending her picture, but it has
not come. We do not know whether she
forgot to enclose them, or whether they
were censored and kept back. During
the flrst terrible wave of influenza Ina's
family nearly all died, and she was Sc
rlously ill. The people of Tahiti were
greatly depleted by this disease, nearly
every family losing several members.
Ina lost her father, and brothers and sis
ters at this time. You will notice by
lna's letters to Katherine, the warm
hearted, affectionate spirit of her race
OF course her English is imperfect, but
she does wonderfully well, considering
the TACT that she talks French exclusively
at home.
We hope to see Ina again soon and
hope she has fulfilled the promise of her
girlhood. 1t really gave us all a few
thrills to think we had real princess
among us, and one who was so loving
and generous to the people who were
kind to her. l must tell you about a
| salad that the Tahitan people love to eat.
One kind of sea weed is carefully washed
and cooked, then slightly resulted. raw
tlsh is put on it, and another kind of sea
weed with decided peppery favor add
ed last. doubt if we would like it, but
it is a great delicacy with them. l do
hope that these rambling statements may
prove of some interest, and with my
most cordial greetings to all.
Considering the fact that little Prin-
cess Ina was only a sixth grade pupil
when she left st. Paul after two years
study of English her letters are simply
remarkable and her writing excellent
The following is a verbatim copy of the
tlrst letter written from Papara, Tahiti,
under date of Dec. 7, 1917: l have re-
celved your welcome letter and also the
baby's photograph. She is a very cum
ming, dear little thing, how l would like
to hold her in my arms. You don't i'm
aglne how | love babies, OH Pm just
crazy about them.
| can see now, why you have not writ
ten l would be Just as happy as you are
If | had little baby sister; its true that
have sisters and brothers, but t..ey are all
big now.
must say you are getting along very
fine with your school, for | remember
when l left you was still in the first
grade, and you are telling me now that
you are in 9th grade, why that's wond-
erful, indeed; you're doing fine work,
keep on, and will soon be in the 9Th grade
and then to High school.
The steamer has been here since this
afternoon, and you see everybody is busy
writing letters to their friends, relatives
etc. | must tell you that we only have
mails once month. [ mean from far of
countries like America and Europe, sc
you see it will take about three weeks OF
even month before my letter reaches
you, anyway hope you will get it before
that time.
just heard that the boat was going tc
leave tomorrow afternoon, so must hurry
and finish my letters, for | have lot tc
write yet.
Well dearie, | wish you Merry Christ.
mas and happy New Year, | will senc
you my photo by the next boat, anc
Katherine, l would love to have picture
of you, please send me one will you.
Well, how is MIR. your brother getting
along with his French all right, remem-
Der me to him. l don't go to school any
more, have passed all my examinations
so am staying home. Pm most of time
out in the country"
In all of her other letters, the latest
under date of Feb. IL, '2l, she urges heI
little friend to study and enter the Uni
versity. She also cordially refers to a
visit from her at the island home, men,
tioning their life there in very loyal
way but gives the idea she would be
happier in st. Paul.
At the social hour which closed the
program Mrs. Nc cDonald was assisted in
serving sherbert and fancy cakes by
Mrs. II. H. Carter, Mrs. Charles r.
I Coombs, Mrs. Arthur E. Wilson and Mrs.