St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-26

High-PresSure Gayety Takes Pos
session of q TOk o ma ma S0iree.

Society in the Orient is composed of such
heterogeneous elements as to afford most
interesting study. The dominant influence
of course being diplomatic and consular
corps, the natural effect is certain stiffness
very difficult to overcome Nevertheless,
amusing incidents sometimes occur. The
18th of July, the national holiday of
France, was celebrated two years ago in
Yokohama with appropriate festivities
The French colony had picnics. dinners,
etc., and at night concert. There were
three French singers of the cafe chantant
variety, the remnant of troupe that
had broken up at that place, who,
assisted by two Messrs. x, young
Frenchmen, contrived to make up a pro-
gramme of sufficient length. 1 was hon
ored by an invitation to the concert. At
the close of the performance one of the
aforesaid amateurs stepped forward and in
vted the audience to adjourn to the Club
hotel and wind up the day with a dance.
The three female performers being pre-
pared for this announcement, reached the
hotel first and took up prominent positions
in the ball room. The few ladies who
avaled themselves of the invitation when
they saw them turned and went home.
AZ
manned. and as the demOiselles were far
from punctillious. the ball soon degener-
ated into something similar to the Mabile
and gayety waxed fast and furious. Being
not we'll versed in the language. and a
stranger, secured good post Of opServa-
ton and found myself sufficiently amused
as spectator.
All things must end, however, and about
8 a. m. it became evident that the affair was
reaching its climax. 4 young Frenchman
who was universally known as the in
FAINT" had ordered supper and invited a
few choice guests to meet the charming
ladies. the bellies of the ball. The two
MeSSrS. X. had also ordered collation. for
the same purpose. The ladies themselves
were by this time perfectly Indifferent as to
where they went. consequently the whole
discussion lay between young X. and the
Infant" This was brought to an abrupt
termination by young X. giving the ''in-
fant'' a blow which blackened both
eyes and rolled him over in corner help
less and with nothing to say. Here began
a domestic melodrama in which the natural
dramatic temperament of the French pe0-
pie. aided by their recent indulgences.
brought out sort of Greek chorus on the
part of the spectators. Young X. wild with
drink, began striking at everything and
everybody. The venerable x, his father,
| was brought forward to pacify him. and he
| in turn caught mot one" that finished
him in ore round and produced tableau
| one. All the surrounding Frenchmen
struck attitudes expressive of horror and
] murmured one to another in hushed voices;
''Il frappe son pere." The effect of this
tableau was somewhat spoiled by the sin
fon In hoI ban ,nCIo TAD o,I
noticed in his corner, scrambling to his
feet and eXclaiming: ''Je suis satiSfait:
| il frappe son PEREZ" The old man was
assisted to his feet, and then began tableau
two, in which, with blood streaming from
his nose from his sons mighty fist, and,
with both hands lifted to heaven, he form
ally cursed and renowned his son
forever, Frenchmen all striking approp-
rate attitudes expressive Of sympathy for
the father and horror at the action of
the son, who fell ON his knees and with
tears streaming down his face explained
that he had not recognized his father and
did repent him deeply. This brought
about tableau Observation-Disclosures Father
and son in each others arms and kissing
each other frequently and paSsionately.
and the chorus round about shaking hands
with each other and in other ways indicat-
ing their satisfaction at the termination of
the affairs. The two suppers were brought
to the same rooms. the three females, al
ready too full for utterance. were toasted,
and the curtain falls on scene of wild
revelry in which father and son receive
congratulations all around from circle of
maudlin friends, and l slip away. much
amused and somewhat instructed as to
some of the ways of life in the Orient
New York World.