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

1T was a strange group of people that
marched into the corridor of the capitol
yesterday afternoon and filed up the
stairs into the hall of the house of rep
resentatves. Hiler Horton was in the
midst of an eloquent harangue at the
time, and the attention of the legislators
was riyeted 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 rumble passed
around the house. and Mr.. Horton him.
self forgot to continue his speech for
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 a delega-
ton of cliff jewellers from Duluth on
;Our 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 on the curl
oSty5tricken statesmen that this must
he a new WOrld's fair attraction, which
Commissioner Furl0ng had dug up on
his farm near Austin. Maybe people
that inhabited Minnesota, held leglsit-
tive counselS and passed antl-cigarttte
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
Il land far down in the S0uthern@Pacltir
seas. where the sun never ceases to Shed
its hottest rays on their naked heads
ana the sea winds ill the air with the
odor Of rich spices. From the far
island OF Ceylon they hailed.and 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, Oh Dec.
20. and this morning will reach
their final destination at Chicago
In stature the people are very
small, with oval-shaped faces, a 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
~ A all 1nI kinds nf
garments had been pressed into service
to afford them shelter. On2 man in
formed the reporter that he had on six
old. coats besides the bedquIlt which
had been deXterouSiy converted
into an overcoat. Yet this alum
dance of clothing did not keep
him from shivering. The troupe
is-in drect charge OF j. Walden Bale
FLETCHER. an educated SinghaieSe and
the assistant World'S fair commissioner
from Ceylon. The various tribes, re-
ligiOnS and occupations were repre-
seuted, aud the whole was composed Of
the educated element. There was a
preacher, doctor, teacher, mer-
chant. and the native newspaper man
q 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
company. W. John Pieria is his name,
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
a 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 private con-
versation to extend a cordial handShake
to his unexpected caller and make
many queries of the dark-col-
ored 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 and no man only
those Of rank and blood can approach
within speaking distance. Later on
when a fine equlpage and a liveried
c0achman passed Oh the street he in
Quired if that was the governors son
seated with such dignity on The box.
John W. Pieria gathers news for a TIL
weekly in Coumbo. The name of his
paper, as he spelled it for the reporter,
is the "Neutitatibradfa." He is a Roman
Catholic. and insisted on visiting two of
the churches. The sights of st. Paul
were revelation 10 J0hP, 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 III one
of the ten-story buildings, but seemed
well 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 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 worlds
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 Mimi. SITS.