Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-04-20
MISSIONARY MAI RoNs.
Work Done by Ono of Them In Behalf
of the Chinese Minister.

of the Chinese Minister.
'Did you ever hear the story of tho
origin of the series of private balls at
the Chinese LegationP' asked gos-
sipy young diplomat of the corre-
spondent tho other evening. MOP
or course you want to hear it. and |
will tell you 1t illustrates beautifully
the enterprise. as well MS the kind
heartedness of certain of your Ameri-
can women. who try so hard here in
Washington especially to make 1t
pleasant for the strangers within your
gates, and who are not averse even to
taking up tho heather Chinee, IL he
has money enough to defray the neccs-
sary expense.
"Wcll, it seems that wealthy ma
tron, not famous for her beauty. early
in tho season wrote TO the Chinese
Minister in tho name Of herself and
nineteen other ladies. informing him
that they had taken pity on his lonely
state and wished to come up to Castle
Stewart and show him how to enter
tain in The American style by giving
a few receptions aud balls. The
unsophisticatcd and semi barbarous
Chinaman. it seems, did not appreci-
ate tho delicate consideration UNDER
lying the proposal OF tho twenty mis-
sionary matrons. and was inclined
to snub them for impertinent inter-
lopers H. wanted to answer tha he
had not heard of any committee un-
dertaking to show mcmbers of other
Legations how TO entertain in tho
American style. and. moreover MS tho
Chinese legation was bachelors es-
tablishment ho did not think Gf they
would pardon poor unonlightened
heather for saying iO that the thing
would be quite proper
This is now the unappreciaiiye Chi
naman, who has been in this country
but couple of years. desired to an
swcr the note of tho twenty mnirons.
But his secretary. who has longer en-
juyed the refining influences of Wash
ington society, told him that would
not do ut all; that tho Chinese were
not too popular. rs it was. in this coun'
try, and that roply OF the kind tho
Minister proposed would not have
tendency to make them moro so. The
secretary advised tho Minister TO ac
cept the offer Of the twonty missionary
matrons, and the Minister at last did
so. So the enterprislng matron, who
is not famed for her beauty
and who, it seems, does
not ask much assistance from thS
other ninetocn matrons to whom she
referred in her letter. now goes up tC
the big building whore dwell tho meel
| and almond-eyed Celes.ials once in {
fortnight or so. takes possession
orders in the decorators, tells the Min
lister that he may prepare n feast ant
put plenty of wine on ice. invites ;
hundred or so of her friends to joir
her, and when night comes they hav'
right merry time. undauntcd by an.
thought of tho bills to be paid in thu
morning.
The poor minister. II is said, doe
not ovel dare TO nsk to these merry
makings his own friends. and people
who. in other seasons. were nc
customed to be bidden to the Celestia
feasts, now find themselves out in tn
cold"
The diplomats story seemed hardly
credilable, but inquiry in othc
quarters seemed TO confirm its truth
Tbs Chinese Minister. it is said. mad
his immense fortune out OF the saw
ings of his salary as tax-galhercr in
Chinese province, and he must nov
feel that the tables have been com
pletely turned on him in this capital o
the great American nation. and
worst of all, by women. whom th'
Orientals regard as playthings o
slaves - Washington Cor. Ha'srbur
Amcricdn.