The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-03-28
AN INTERVIEW.
How q Great F'renchman Was
Beaten by o. Girl Reporter.

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 | attracted the attention OF
the editor of the Weekly Ray, or at
least my work did; and after few
moro successes he offered mo post on
his paper.
"A lady interviewer, you know, Miss
Neville" said he to me, ''can frequent
ly attain her object where Il man would
fail, and shall be glad to sec what
success you may have at the business"
Time went on, and had fixed" hun
dreds of notablcs, when one day, enter
ing the editors 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 wanted to see. Take q
seat"
sat down, while the editor pushed
IL
and commenced.
You have no doubt heard that the
famous Ercnchman, II. Jean Coussot
has arrived in London for stay of a
few days, and has taken up his quar-
tiers ut the Hotel Bristol?"
What, The 'unapproachab BILE in Lon
dom said |. NO, | am ashamed to say
that had not heard of it,"
We'll. it is nevertheless n fact" con
tinucd my chief, adding with smile:
And very APPLY you have christened
him, for not only has, he never been in
tcrvicwed, 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 iingling
verses, and posing with great success
as an art critic. Il wit, cynic, and leader
OF fashion, yet he has n vogue and
whatever opinions and impressions fall
from his lips people will greedily de-
YOUR
Therefore" said I, anticipating his
coming remark, what you suggest is
that / should cndcavor to obtain the
samc?"
That's it, said the editor. There
by, if You succeed, rendering your
paper Il great service and covering YOUR
self with glory"
Next morning-I had spent all the
previous day and night thinking about
ny tasE-I presented myself at the
Hotel Bristol
rs NJ. Jean Coussot wthin?"
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.
Il 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 bow. eying Inc curl
ously all the time. What might be
mad&me's business?"
Perfectly well aware that might as
well beat n retreat at once DIS hope for
success if answered hisquestion, ''N1y
business is with monsieur" l said,
calmly. KINDLY hand him my card
and he will see me-
Still hcstating, but evidently i'm
pressed by the assurance with which 1
spoke, the man turned and tapped at
an adjacent door.
'Enter!" responded voice from
within. The man left the door a1ar
hehi1,1 hin, T
it and pecped through the crack, being
rewarded for my temcrity by the sight
Of rather stout figure of medium
height, clad in long frocll coat, with
bullet-shaped head, hair cropped
tight, wcll-formed nose, and straight
mustache of enormous proportions
"Mces Margaret Ncveel!' l heard
him say. 'No! do not think know
the lady" Then he added, turning to
the servant: us mademoiselle Young
or old?"
Young, sir" said the man; and in nv
anxiety had almost called through
the opening of the door land pretty"
Did you ask her beeznecz?"
"Yessr. She said it was direct with
you"
We'll. will see her in one moment"
came the welcome words; but, as I
stepped back from the door, they were
followed by: but shust make sure her
bcczneez has nosing to do with &c
noospapairs."
groan almost escaped me. 1t was
no use prevaricating when, in mo-
ment's time, | should be in the great
mans presence. I told the servant
candidly that did indeed come from
the editor of the Weekly Ray, paper
that had always expressed its greatest
I'D Of NJ