The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-03-29
AN INTERVIEW.
How a Great Frenchman Was
Beaten by a Girl Reporter.


on the staff of the Weekly Ray.
never was a pudding-and-pie sort of
girl: and think when ] started going
to town, and left the household duties
to my sister my people actually felt a
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 OF the Australian boom
erang, faithfully returned to me.
At last l attracted the attention of
the editor of the Weekly Ray, or at
least nv work did: and after few
more successes he offered me 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 be glad to see what
success you may have at the business"
Time went on. and had fixed" hun
dreds of notab les. when one day, enter
ing the editor room to submit some
copy to him, perceived by the way he
greeted me that he had some special
commission in store.
Good morning, Miss Neville. The
very person 1 wanted to see. Take 4
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, NJ. Jean Coussot,
has arrived in London for stay of a
few days, and has taken up his quar-
ters at the Hotel BristOl?''
What, the 'unapproachable' in Lon
dom. said |. No, | am ashamed to say
that had not heard of it,
We'll. it is nevertheless a fact" con-
tinued my chief, adding with a smile:
And very aptly you have christened
him, for not only has he never been in
terviewed, but has declared his decision
that he never will 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, a wit, cynic, and leader
of fashion, yet he has "a vogue and
whatever opinions and impressions fall
from his lips people will greedily de.
vOur.''
Therefore, said /, anticipating his
coming remark, what you suggest is
that 1 should endeavor to obtain the
same?"
That's it" said the editor. There
/
paper a great service and covering your
self with glory
Next morning-I had spent all the
previous day and night thinking about
my tasll--I presented myself at the
Hotel Bristol
rs NJ. Jean Coussot within?"
Yes, miss said the hall porter,
much to my delight. What name?"
| handed him one of my cards, which
he in turn passed to 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
be something even to receive refusal
direct from his own lips
Up and up we went, till, on the third
or fourth landing, man servant, hold
ing my card in his fingers, confronted
me.
Monsieur has so many callers" he
explained, with Il bow, eying me curl
ously all the time. What might be
madame's business?"
Perfectly well aware that might as
well beat retreat at once DIS hope for
success if answered his question, My
business IS with monsieur l said,
calmly. Kindly hand him my card,
and he will see me-
Still hesitating but evidently i'm
pressed by the assurance with which !
spoke, the man turned and tapped at
an adjacent door.
''Enter! responded voice from
within. The man left the door alar
behind him. Silently / stepped up to
it and peeped through the crack, being
rewarded for my temerity by the sight
Of a rather stout figure of medium
height, clad in long frock coat, with
bullet-shaped head, hair cropped
tight, a well-formed nose, and straight
mustache of enormous proportions.
'Mees Margaret Newell" | heard
him say No! do not think | know
the lady" Then he added, turning tt
the servant: lis mademoiselle young
or old?''
Young, sir, said the man; and in my
anxiety had almost called through
the opening of the door land pretty
Ibid you ask her beezneez?"
"Yessir. She said it was direct will
you"
Veil, l viii see her in one moment,
came the welcome words; but, as
stepped back from the door, they wer
followed by: But shust make sure he
beezneez has nosing to do with z
noospapairs.
A groan almost escaped me. 1t wa
no use prevaricating when, in me
ment's time. l should be in the grea
mans presence. I told the servan
candidly that did indeed come fror
the editor of the Weekly Ray, a pape
that had always expressed it's creates
admiration of M. Coussot and all hi
works, to bid him welcome to GU
shores.
The mans face relaxed as 1 said this
He returned to the room. and secon
after / heard NJ. Coussot's voice fror
within:
''Ha! ha! Ha! ha. Yer goot! YER goo
indeed! Tell Mees Newell l feel z
honor greatly, but - and here h
raised his tones-''M. Coussot is nevai
interviewed"
so much for the glory was to b
covered with, said I, as, hurryin,
from the scene of my defeat, turne,
into Regent street.
Next morning, still feeling a bi
ashamed of myself. went into tn
city to keep an appointment that tn
editor had made for me.
Il