Show Bo c 4 Davit Davi M Annals of Kauai the Garden Island 1000 in Silver L LET ET me the tell a tale of this fruitful fruitful fruitful fruit fruit- ful and beautiful Pacific ocean jewel that harks back to the early days when land could be bought for a song and singers were in voice Out of the many stories called tomy tomy to tomy my attention I selected one that came to me through Mr Eric Knudsen Knudsen Knudsen Knud- Knud sen born in Kauai sixty odd years ago eldest son of Valdemar Knudsen Knudsen Knudsen Knud- Knud sen one of the earliest settlers Mr Knudsens Knudsen's method of recording recording recording record record- ing the dramatic past involves the use of mountains from which he may survey the land and sea of his beloved island peak feet above sea level and lo located located located lo- lo almost in the center of Kauai is his favorite elevation when discussing discussing discussing dis dis- dis- dis cussing panoramic beauty The spot of green a few miles off offshore offshore offshore shore to the southwest said Eric waving a brown arm over the whole of Christendom is island where my mother once lived She was the youngest daughter of Mrs Eliza Sinclair who brought her whole family from New Zealand in I 1863 two sons two sons in law three daughters six grandchildren and settled d thereAbout thereAbout thereAbout there About two seventy-two square miles of rich pasturage for sheep cattle other domestic stock and honey honeybees honeybees honeybees bees its highest elevation rose 1300 feet above sea level It was like the arrival of another nation this family family family fam fam- ily from New Zealand Father Suggests a Way However if I am to get on with the story of how my father Valdemar Valdemar Valdemar Valde Valde- mar Knudsen found a bride among the you must turn your thoughts back to N small but important in my own affairs After taking over the property Mrs Sinclair Sinclair Sinclair Sin Sin- clair discovered there a Hawaiian- Hawaiian born settler who had long occupied a small strip of the island and who held in fee simple a royal grant that interfered with her plans for development She offered to buy the parcel No the native would not sell at any price Both he and his wife wished to remain until death They were cold to all proposals proposals proposals pro pro- a sentimental blockade asit asit as asit it were My liMy father a Norwegian who had come to Kauai in the early and andset andset andset set up a stock ranch and orchard at Waimea enjoyed no little distinction distinction distinction tion as one familiar and friendly with the Hawaiian people To him Mrs Sinclair came with her problem problem problem lem authorizing the purchase of the controversial strip at whatever figure figure figure fig fig- ure Valdemar Knudsen considered fair to all concerned Give me 1000 trade dollars he said and leave the rest to me Upon receipt of the coin much of which was tarnished he devoted three full days to putting a bright polish on the sinews of war which he loaded into a canvas bag and lugged after dark to the straw butof hut but of the Hawaiian couple where he was welcomed both as a visitor and an old friend Silver Flood Descends Casting the silver burden on the center table he mopped his brow browand browand browand and straightaway launched into a flood of gossip along general lines In the midst of the babble he opened the canvas sack and began to stack shimmering trade dollars ten in a pile all over the table top commenting the while on what each tower of silver would buy in the open onen market Under Under the light of a coal oil lamp shedding its golden rays on the white metal monuments scattered scat about Valdemar Knudsen fingering the coin as he talked described described described de de- scribed topped red-topped boots brooches bracelets clothing silk bodices bodice axes sewing machines bureaus inlaid in- in inlaid inlaid in in- laid bedsteads cooking utensils saddles grandfather clocks dinner dishes and rocking chairs that could be bought and delivered at the humble domicile of the old couple now huddled over more purchasing power than they had ever beheld in their whole lives All of this for your land said my father Yours to have and to hold enough to last all of this life Natives Won Over Hypnotized the aged eged couple alternating alternating alternating al al- between chilled Indifference indifference indifference ence and melting acceptance held their breath the man battling with I resistance the woman yearning forI for speech Flat upon that table midst I the piles of money lay the canvas bag empty of all temptation The Hawaiian immobile as stone made madeno no sign With a quick movement my father encircling the hoard with his arm began to draw the 1000 in silver into the sack Paul It is ended he said No no exclaimed the woman I We Ve will sell It is enough I Leave the money there Where is the paper Turning to her husI husband husband hus hus- I band she smothered him with an appeal to close the transaction He nodded burying his hands in the silver flood Mrs Sinclair allowed the couple I Ito to remain until they passed away Evidently the Norwegians Norwegian's business tactics made mode a profound impression upon the Scotch woman as my father father father fa fa- fa- fa ther became her son in right Ben Service Ic Ie 1 |