The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1895-05-10
AN INTERVIEW.
How a Great Frenchman Was
Beaten by a Girl Reporter.

am a lady journalist, and engaged
on the staff Of the Weekly Ray.
] never was pudding -and-pie sort of
girl; and | think when started gong
to town, and left the household duties
to my sister. my people actually felt
sense of relief.
For some time ] wrote at random,
sending in contributions to all sorts of
papers, some of which reached their
mark. The majority. however. like
carrier pigeons or the Australian boom
erang. faithfully returned to me.
At last l attracted the attention of
the editor of the Weekly Ray, or at
least my work did; and after few
more successes he offered Inc a post on
his paper.
"A lady interviewer, You know. Miss
Neville" said he To me, can frequent
" attain her object where man would
fail, and | shall Ice glad to see what
success you may have at the business"
Time went on, and had fixed hun
dr"dS IF notables, when one day. enter
ing the editors room to submit some
copy to him, perceived by the way lac
greeted me that he had some special
commission in store.
Good morning, Miss Neville. The
very person wanted to see. Take a
seat
sat down. while the editor pushed
his papers aside, laid down his glasses
and commenced.
You have no doubt heard that the
famous Frenchman, VI. Jean Coussot,
has arrived in London for a stay of "A
few days, and has taken up his quar-
tiers at the Hotel Bristol?''
What, the 'unapproachable' in Lon
don't" said |. No 1 am ashamed to say
that had not heard of it"
well, ii is nevertheless a fact" con
tinucd my chief, adding with smile:
And very aptly you have christened
him, for not only has he never been in
tcrviewcd, but has declared his decision
that lac never VIII be. Now, although
CousSot has never done anything SO
very remarkable, beyond writing some
epigrammatic plays and jingling
verses, and posing with great success
as an art critic, wit, cynic, and leader
of fashion. yet ne has a vogue, and
whatever opinions and Impressions fail
from his lips people will greedily de.
vour."
therefore" said |, anticipating his
coming remark, what you suggest Is
that / should endeavOr to obtain the
samc?'
That's it said the editor There
by. if you succeed, rendering your
paper a great service and covering your
self with glory"
Next morning. had spent all the
previous day and night thinking about
my tasllI presented myself at the
Hotel iristoL
is VI. Jean Coussot within?''
Yes, miss said the hall porter,
much to my delight. What name?"
| handed him one of my cards, which
hc in turn passed To a boy in buttons,
who disappeared upstairs with it,
A minute later he returned. Kindly
step this way. miss Was the great
man really going To see me? 1t would
bc something even To receive refusal
direct from his own lips
Up and up we went, till, on the third
or fourth landing, a man servant. hold
ing my card in his fingers, confronted
me.
Monsieur has 80 many callers - he
explained. with bow. eying me curI-
ouSly all the time. wv hat might be
madame's business
Perfectly well aware that | might as
well beat "A retreat at once as hope foT
success if | answered his question, My
business j. with monsieur" | said,
calmly. Kindly hand him my card,
and he will see me"
Still hesitating. but evidently i'm
pressed 10y the assurance with which |
spoke. the man turned and tapped at
an adjacent door.
Enter" responded voice from
within. The man left .he door alar
l.. 4 l. =,
it and peeped through the crack, he ing
rewarded for my temcrity 10y the sight
Of a rather stout figure of medium
height. clad in long frock coat, with
bullet-shapcd head, hair cropped
tight, a well-formed nose, and Il straight
mustache of enormous proportions.
.'Mees Margaret Newell / heard
him say. No! | do not think know
the lady Then he added, turning to
the servant: is mademoiseIle young
or old?"
Young, sir, said the man: and in my
anxiety | had almost called through
the opening of the door and pretty
Did YOU ask her beezneez?"
'.Eessir. She said it was direct with
you"
We'll. | viii see her in one moment,
came the welcome words; but,
stepped back from the door, they were
/ followed by: But shust make sure hei
becnecz has nosing to do with ze
! noospapairs."
| 4 groan almost escaped me 1t was
| no use prevaricating when, in mo
! ment's time, | should be in the great
mans presence. l told the servant
! candidly that | did indeed come from
| the editor of the Weekly Ray, paper
that had always expressed its greatest
admiration of NJ Coussot and all hi:
works, to bid him welcome to oul
| shores
Tn mans face relaxed as / said this
| He returned to the room, and second
after | heard NJ. Coussot's voice from
within:
''IIa, hal Hai ha! Yer goot! YER goo-
indeed! Tell Mees Newell | feel Z,
honor greatly, but - and here ht
raised his tones-''M. Coussot is nevail
interviewed"
so much for the glory 1 was to be
covered with said |, as, hurrying
from the scene-of my defeat, l turned
into Regent street.
Next morning, still feeling a bi
ashamed of myself, L went into tn,
city To keep an appointment that tn,
editor had made for me.
That over, | WAS coming dowI
| Threadneedle street, intending to wall
back to the Office, when, passing tn,
entrance To the Bank of England,
saw "a sight that made my nes... :
thump!
Three genial looking gentlemen
locked arm in arm, were emerging fro
under the famous portals, and in ii
central figure l recognized NJ. Jea
COuSSpt himself