Part 32 (2/2)

I like its people and clime, and shall write in my books accordingly.

The Samoan Chiefs may be compared to our Scotch Chiefs at home in regard to their clans.” ”Then stay here with me,” I said, ”and make Samoa your home altogether.” ”That I will, and even if the Lord calls me,” was the reply. Tusitala--story-writer--spoke the truth, for even now he is still with me in Samoa. Truth is great and must endure. Tusitala's religion and motto was: ”Do ye to others as ye would have them do unto you.”

Hence this n.o.ble, ill.u.s.trious man has won my love and admiration, as well as the esteem and respect of all who knew him. My G.o.d is the same G.o.d who called away Tusitala, and when it has pleased Him for my appointed time to come, then I will gladly join T. in that eternal home where we meet to part no more.

With perfect a.s.surance of my best wishes for your progress and prosperity,--I remain, dear sir, cordially yours,

M. I.

C. C. MATAAFA High Chief of Samoa.

D

April 24, 1921

DEAR MADAM:

Thank you very much for the letter which came some four months ago. I read it over, over and over again to memorise every word of the letter, and it was a glad toil. I thought of you and Mr. ... I thought of Messrs. F.... D.... and R.... and Miss G...., every body to-gether and every body separate that gave me untold happiness, and I heard the throbs of my heart. I told to my wife who is very glad to hear from me.

As you know I got married in the year of 1913. And we have five children now. Please don't be scared! Two boys and three daughters. Takako oldest daughter six year, seven months old. Takas.h.i.+ge, William (boy) four years; Fuziko Elsie two years and nearly four months; Chiyeko, Lucie eight months old. And this made me perfect papa, which is my joy and my pride! Beside this I have thirty acres of orange orchard (four years old) all is my own, and my wife's now which brought me four (boxes-horses) (?) poor fruit year before last, and seventy two boxes better fruit last year. I am expecting greater crop this fall. I read Mr. ---- article about June drop in California Cultivator, and irrigated my orchards last December and this year I started to wet from February which no body does this in this visinity (orchardists of here keep orchards with weeds and wild oats as high as my shoulder all winter and they wait irrigation until orchards perfectly dry and cracke.) I am taking care our orchards after Mr. ---- idea mostly with some of my own, as I feel as it mine but all of them are a collection of idea of other people's experiences.

I have debt of five thousand five hundreds dollars which need not to pay interest except one thousand five hundred dollars. This is my joy and my pride too, is it not?

Five children and five thousand five hundreds dollars debt are not big job to carry on, for me, but they make me very busy indeed. For this reason, I do not write to my friends, as often as I wish, of course I can, if I do, like this one, but it is great strain for me now.

Therefore please will kindly excuse, I shall not write you again until next Christmas probably.

Please remember me to Mr. ---- and All your family.

When you will come to Terra Bella to see Mr. ----.

When you have spare time, and when you thought of old servant, please stop a moment at my humble dwelling place and give me chance to hear your voice directly. That will be my honor, that which will encourage me, if it is possible with Mr. F. P. It will be a greater honor for us.

Befor I ask you to come to see us, we should go to see you first, but just excuse for the reasons as above written.

I shall leave the pen with prare of your sound health, and happiness.

G.o.d be with you.

From your old servant --------

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