St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-22
| STRANGE COMPANY.
A Group of Native SinghaIese
Passes Through This
City,
En- Route to the Worlds Fair
Buildings in Chi
i cage.

LII was Va biidb
marched into the corridor of the capitol
yesterday afternoon and filed up the
stairs into the hall of the house of rep
resentatives. Hiler Horton was in the
midst Of an eloquent harangue at the
time, and the attention of the legislators
was riveted upon him. But when the
door opened to admit the strange
visitors there was connection, and
ali eyes were turned in } wonder
at the strange visitors party, seven in
number, who walked in and took up
their position in one corner of the
house. A murmur Of surprise that
finally grew into a rumble passed
around the house, and Mr.. Horton him.
self forgot to continue his speech for a
few seconds until he had sized up this
new addition to his audience. Many
SpeculatiOnS were made as TO where this
unexpected delegation hailed from, and
it was whispered that this was delega-
ton of cliff jewellers from Duluth on
a tour of investigation. When this
reached the ear of jim Boggs, however,
he stoutly denied the allegation and
said there were no points OF resemblance
between them and his constituents. 1t
had been about settled that they hailed
from the far north where Representa-
tive Markham holds sway when John
Furlong was discovered to be in close
consultation with the leader of the dele
cation. As the people could hardly hail
from his district, it dawDed OH the curl
oSity-Stricken statesmen that this must
he a new works. fair attraction. which
Commissioner Furlong had dug up on
his farm near Austin, Maybe a people
in u INitpI NJ inrlCnt1 hnld inUt i-l-
tive counsels and passed anti-cigarette
and crinoline bills long before CHRIS
TOPPER Columbus saw the sunlight from
San Salvador.
1t was worlds fair attraction. and
strange, unique and picturesque sight
the people presented. They hailed from
a land far down in the Southern acifi.
seas. where the sun never ceases to She'd
its hottest rays on their naked heads
anu the sea winds ill the air with the
odor of rich spices From the far
island OF Ceylon they hailed.an already
many OF the dark faces and piercing
eyes told how sadly their owners were
out of place in this cold climate and
how gladly they would turn homework
if they could. They Sailed from Column
DO, the capital city of Ceylon, on Dec.
20. and this morning will reach
their final destination at Chicago.
In stature the people are very
small. with oval-shaped faces, pro.
truding chin and dark, penetrating
eyes. The only covering on their heads
is given them by nature, and consists
of dark, coarse hair, closely interviewer.
OF course, their native garb had to be
laid aside on reaching the cold climate
CT America, anu all sorts and kinds Of
garments had been pressed into service
10 afford them shelter. One man in
formed the reporter that he had Oil six
old coats besides the bedqullt winch
had been deXterously converted
into an overcoat. Yet this alum
dance of clothing did not keep
him from shivering. The troupe
is-in direct charge OF j. Walden Bale
FLETCHER an educated SinghaIese and
the, assistant worlds fair commissioner
IRON Ceylon. The various tribes. re-
ligions and occupations were repre-
'Sented, and the whole was composed OF
the educated element. There was
preacher, Il doctor, a teacher, mer-
chant. and the native newspaper man
was along to hold up the dignity Of tie
profession; and this knight of the quilt
proved 10 be the best informed, most
versatile aud educated member Of the
W. OOtlll L iCl 10 ID mo iItt1iiS,
and with the true Bohemian spirit
he made himself right at home with the
members of his craft and modeStly in
formed the GLOBE man that lie too was
reporter. He took great interest in
the proceedings of the house. and with
the reporter as his guide made tour OF
the offices in the capitol. Gov. Nelson
stopped i'll the midst of a private con-
versation to extend a cordial handShake
to his unexpected caller and make
many queries of the dark-col-
cred scribe as to his country
and people. w. John PieIia answered
ali in good intelligent English. The
governor presented him with his auto
graph and copy Of his and Gov Mer
riam'S message, which delighted him
greatly. With smile and bow he
withdrew. He informed the reporter
that in his land the governor Is sur
rounded by guards aud no man only
those of rank and blood can approach
within speaking distance. Later on
when a fine equpage and Iverled
coachman passed Oil the street he in
CURED if that was the governors son
seated with such dignity On The box.
John w. Pieria gathers news for q til
weekly in Columbia. The name of his
paper, as he spelled it for the reporter,
is the "NeuritatiDradfa." He is a Roman
Catholic. and insisted on visiting two of
the churches. The sights of st. Paul
were revelation to JohP, and the stop
over will enable him to better grasp the
surprises of the worlds fair city. He
took his first ride in an elevator Ill one
of the ten-story buildings, but seemed
we'll pleased when his feet touched terra
tirma again. He bid the reporter fare
well at his car i'll the union depot, after
eXacting the promise Of a visit to him
at the fair.
Besides him there were many inter-
esting characters in the band of
strangers. A faithful follower of Mo
manned was seen TO mount the car
platform and cast his eyes about to
locate the setting sun that he might say
his evening prayers. BrahmaS and
Buddhists were also i'll the group. The
tourist car provided the strange
people was attached to the Kansas
City train for Chicago, and a
new and novel sight will be in
waiting for the visitors to the words
fair after today. From land where the
thermometer never goes below 102 deg
in the shade to the chilly climate of the
Windy City is rude transformation for
this people. They viii resume their
native costume then and their diet of
rice, and be afforded the best possible
care by the officials who have them i'll
charge.
Before YOU borrow money or renew
loans see The State Savings Bank. Ger
mania Life Bldg, 4th and MINI. SITS.