Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-22
A TERRIBLE TEMPTATION.
How Minister belong was offered
Beautiful Japanese Girl ana
WOuldn't Take Her.

How Minister belong was offered
u Beautiful Japanese Girl and
wOuidn't Take Her.
Yokohama Cor. Virginia (Nev.) Enterprise
do not know how can better illus
trate the inside of polite society here
than to relate the occurrences of din
ner party given by the head commercial
agent Of one Of the. most powerful
princes to- o prominent foreign plenipo-
tentiary and some invited guests. Pro-
ceeding to the commercial buildings, we
there met our host and a retinue of re-
tainers, ready for fun, frolic or fighting,
as the humor of their lord might deter
mine. AT the quay lay a 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 q magnificent tea-house,
where numerous assemblage awaited
our coming Upon alighting, we were
greeted with cordial welcome and espec-
ial politeness, and at once were es-
corted to the reception and enter
tainment room, where we found actors,
jugglors, musicians, and at least fifty
dark-eyed singing girls, instructed to
minister to the wants or amusement OF
the guests. After brief prelude from
their orchestra the troupe Of jugglers
appeared before us and performed count
less feats of legerdemsin with dexter
ity surprising to us all. The most pecu-
liar and artistic feat was called the
" Magic Butterfly" and as | had seen
the trick attempted by Japanese and
Chinese at home, the surprising neatness
and skill of the grave and serioas-loOk-
ing performer provoked my warmest ad-
miration. Indeed, the science of this
fellow as far exceeded the weak attempts
had before witnessed, as the wondrous
dramatic Representations of Hon. Bob
Lowery or George Cain, Esq, did the
stale eloquence of Forest, Booth, or Nc
Kean Buchanan.
The artist took pieces of silk gauze
and made them into imitation butter
flies. On low table he arranged some
bouquets of flowers, and his preparations
we're complete. Stepping back a few
PAGES, he unfolded fan, and instantly
the air was filled with the automaton
insects. Slowly waved the air-endowed
wand, and while some Of the butterflies
circled around and above his head, 9TH
ers sought the carnation buds of the
bouquets, fingered lovingly on each
bright blossom an instant, then grouped
on a large rose, huttered as in flight,
and at last, at gentle motion OF the
master, flew to his side and we're slowly
gathered together. 1t was simply as
tonishing, and our hearty applause
obtained repetition of the artist s skill
Meanwhile the feast had begun, and as
the wine circulated actors displayed
their merits, young girls touched the
national guitar with tender melody,
national and war songs were ehanted,
fireworks of exceeding beauty cleaned
in the entwining foliage, at least
two scores of lovely young girls
swayed hither and thither ia the volup-
tuous dance Of their clan, and, in brief,
we we're entertained in a style far ex-
ceeding that of any previous feast
which it had been my good fortune to
attend. As the sparkling wine relaxed
the sociability of our keen-eyed host, he
asked the interpreter to inquire of the
minister which of the girls he deemed
the loyeliest. The question was deli
cate one, and the diplomat hesitated;
Tut on being pressed he pointed out
tall, 1.-THE, graceful girl, whose eyes,
shaded by dropping lashes, disclosed oc-
casionaIly flashes of lightning fervor,
and whose carnation lips, faultless fea-
lures and ill-concealed bust would have
thrilled an iceberg.
"She is yoursl 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 we're all filed with astonishment,
as this episode unfolded curious and
novel phase of Japanese life. Upon
being questioned, the host said it was
usual 60 make such gifts to honored
friends; that the next day he should
visit the parents OK the girl, pay them
two or three hundred rios le rio is one
dollar and six eenls, gold), secure her
future elothing and food, and all was
well. SO that, whether the girl be taken
as q concubine or as u servant, twas all
that was required. sn. if
Dei.ong, Of course declined The bean.
tiful gift, with many expressions of
thanks; but saw his eye glisten, and
knew he was human-yet anybody would
h,a human-and | knew that the refusal
n, accept the thrilling tribute was on a
mar Nvith my own youthful discipline,
when n, " sainted mother used to caution
me- never to accept the second piece of
mince pie when dining out. II / had
heen an ignora mt orphan, / should doubt
less have got too much pie.