The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-11-23

How Minister DeLong was offered
aBeautif0l japanese Girl and
Wouldn't Take Her.

So~~ AASA'
do not know how I can better il.
lustrate the inside Of select society here
than to relate the occurrences Of din
ner party given BY the head CONNER
cial agent Of one Of the most powerful
princss, to . prominent foreign plenipo-
tsntiary and some invited guests. Pro.
cseding to the commercial buildings, we
there met our host and q retinue of re-
tainers, ready for fun, frolic, or fighting,
a. the humor of their lord might deter
mine. At the quay lay magnificent
barge engaged for the use of our party,
and seating ourselves oriental fashion,
in short time were propelled four miles
up the river to magnificent tea house,
where numerous assemblage awaited
our coming. Upon aligbting. we were
greeted with cordial welcome and es.
pecial politeness, and at once escorted
to the reception and entertainment
room, whore we found actors, jugglers,
musicians, and at least fifty dark eyed
singing girls, instructed to minister to
the wants or amusements Of the guests.
After brief prelude from their orches-
ira, the troupe Of jugglers appeared be.
fore Us and performed countless feats Of
legerdemain, with dexterity surpris-
ing to us all. The most peculiar and
artistic feat was called the magic But
terfly," and as I had seen the trick at
tempted by Japanese and Chinese, at
home, the surprising neatness and skill
Of the grave and serious looking per-
former provoked my warmest admira-
ton. Indeed, the science of this fellow,
as far exceeded the weak attempts had
before witnessed, as the wonderful dra-
matte representations Of the Hon. Bob
Lowery or George Cain, Esq, did the
stale eloquence Of Forrest, Booth, OF
Mexican Buchanan.
The artist took pieces Of silk gauze
and made them into imitation butter
flies. On a low table he arranged some
boquets of flowers, and his preparations
were complete. Stepping back few
PAGES he unfolded fan, and instantly
the air was filled with autemation in.
sects. Slowly waved the air-endowed
wand, and while some Of the butterflies
circled above his head, others sought tn.
carnation buds of the boquets, fingered
lovingly on each bright blossom an in
slant, grouped on large rose, nuttered
- in flight, and at last, by gentle mo-
ton of the master, few to his side and
were slowly gathered together. 1t was
simply astonishing, and our hearty ap-
plause obtained a repetition Of the mas
ter's skill. Meanwhile the feast had be-
gan, and as the wine circulated actors
displayed their merits, young girls
touched the national guitar with tender
melody, national and war songs were
chanted, fireworks of exceeding beauty
cleaned in the entwining foliage, at
least two score of lovely young girls
swayed hither and thither in the volup-
tuous dance Of their clan, and, in brief,
we were entertained in style far ex-
ceeding that of any previous feast which
it had been my good fortune to attend.
As the sparkling wine relaxed the so.
ciability Of our keen eyed host, he ask ed
the interpreter to inquire ofthe minister
which Of the girls he deemed the love.
liest. The question was a delicate one,
and the diplomat hesitated; but Oh
being pressed he pointed out a tall,
graceful girl, whose eyes, shaded by
dropping lashes, disclosed occasionally
flashes Of lightning fervor, and whose
carnation lips fault!ess features aud ILL
concealed bust would have thrilled an
iceberg.
"She is yours!' cried the Yakonin.
Advance to your master!' instantly
with face dyed with crimson, she ad-
vanced to the seat of the minister, pros
trated her beautiful face to the mating
and knelt, his willing slave.
We were all filled with astonishment
as this episode unfolded curious and
novel phase of Japanese life. Upon be
ing questioned the host said it was usual
to make such gifts to honored friends
that the next day he should visit the
parents Of the girl, pay them two or
three hundred rios, "a rio is one dollar
and six cents, gold. secure her future
clothing and food, and all would he we'll.
So that, whether the girl be taken as a
concubine or servant, it was all that
was required.
DeLong, Of course, declined the beau
tiful gift, with many expressions OF
thanks; but l saw his eye glisten, and
knew he WAS human any body WOE
be human, and knew that the reflsa
to accept the thrilling tribute was on
par with my own youthful discipline
when my sainted mother used to eau.
tion me never to accept the second piece
of mince pie VIII en- dining out. II hai
been all ignorant orphan, 1 shoul,
doubtless have got too much pie.
The Presbyterian Church in Iowa.
Rev. 8. NJ. Osnond furnishes the low:
City Press with the following interest
ing statistics Of the Presbyterian church
ho H.