TALK ABOUT TOWN.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 107, 18 October 1879, Page 2

TALK ABOUT TOWN.

*' Thnro's a cliiol muting yo takiu' notes, Ami t'nitli lio'll ;iront them." Silence, t.liat liorriil bell!—is tlio wail of the residents in Matafulo. Tliu particular boll alluded to is that attached to tho Karotoga Chnroh, and which is rung between 5 o'clock and half-past on four mornings in the week, to thu annoyance of tho neighbours. I lmvo a follow feeling with those who object to be disturbed from their sweet slumbers nt that early hour in tho morning, in swoh a peremptory manner. I have no objection to these womhipporx attending service, at 5 o'clock, or at 3 o'clock in tho morning if thoy ohnoso; but, considering that all the member* of thin early live within a stone's throw of the church I do object to a tin-pot, orncked arrangement thnt was 01IC0 nbell—perhaps (?) — being used for lialf-an-hour, at that unsoasonnblo tinio, to thonnnovanco of ninetentlw of the neighbours.

There's a dog kennelling somewhere near where I live, who is not only a strong objectionist to the clanging of the bell in question, but is evidently a good and true Catholic. He, in his way, enters his protest against the untimely ringing of that instrument of torture, by throwing np his head and howling as„}c4idly and as piteously as it is possible for any small dog to do, until tho bell ceases. But the worst of it is this little innocent beggar, in so protesting, makes additional noise, and one scarcely knows whether to admire him for so publicly, proclaiming his dislike to "those sweet chimes," or to act as a Lancashire collier woufd do when his four-footed pet had.been.doing what ho ought not, viz., "purr 'im.' I cannot ''pun'" (kick) this dog because he evidently objects to the bell upon religious grounds, as, however peculiar they may be, I always like to.give every one, be he man or "dorg," free scope in that line, provided that he will not steal my two-and-a-half cents. I beliove Ui sincerity in all things—even in , housebreaking—and I cannot help admiring the devotion to his cause this Catholic dog displays. After trying to how} dqwn the Rarotoga Church bell, what a change comes over tho scene when ho hears the angelus rung out from the French Mission Church. He bows his head, curls his tail between his legs and looks as '"umble," meek and mild as Uriah Heep ; and, I believe, if a stranger were to kiok him while the bells were tolling, he would not only take no notice, but would forgivo the aggressor without a growl. I believe in that dog; but I don't like that five o'clock bell! CvniL.