Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-03-18
WEE WUNG'S
PREDICAMENT.

1t has been two or three years since
Wee Wung returned to Pekin, but fond
recollections Of his great genius still
linger in the hearts Of the people of
Chinatown. He was considered by the
Chinese Of San Francisco the very best
female impersonator that had ever trOd
the boards Of theater outside of the
Flowery Land. He was honored and
dined by the wealthiest Mongolians in
Chinatown, and admired by all as the
prince Of comedians, during his years
engagement with the local stock COM
pany.
Wee Wung, who was a good looking
little man Of about twenty-five years,
always appeared In the leading female
role OF play, and always made the
hit of the performance. His makeup
as gentle little belle was a work of art,
and his portrayal Of the feminine role
was even more artistic. With his beau
tiful wig Of oily black hair adorned with
many jeweled pins and tiny chains,
with his rouged cheeks, rosy-red lips
and penciled eyebrows, and with his
lovely gowns and tiny silken shoes, Wee
Wung became very adorable person,
indeed-so adorable, in fact, that occa-
sionally masculine heart In the audi
ence made the ricidulous mistake Of
throbbing with loving admiration.
One evening, during the continued run
Of the highly successful comedy. 1.-The
Emperor's Favorite Peacock" Wee
Wung arrived at the theater earlier
than usual, and, after he had donned
his feminine garments and given his
face the usual maidenly appearance,
he discovered that he had mistaken the
hour, and had come to the play house
long before the time when he was to
make his first entrance upon the stage.
1t was not yet : o'clock, and as Wee
Wung was not to appear in the play I'M
til after 8, the little comedian conclud-
ed to enjoy his spare moments in pro-
longed smoke. SO he rolled up several
cigarettes with his rice paper and to-
bacco and sauntered down to the sta pe
door, where he might stand on the steps
and inhale the refreshing night air to-
gether with the smoke.
He leaned against the doorway and
directed his gaze toward the star-lit sky,
while his thoughts wandered away TO
his beloved Pekin. He pictured in his
mind his return to his native land, flush
ed with artistic triumphs on American
soil, his purse overfiowing with Amer
lean dollars. For Wee Wung, like most
Of his fellow countrymen who sail to
America, had come with but one object
In view, and that was to carry back
home with him just as much money as
he could possibly secure. As he stood
there In the stage doorway, dreaming
of coming riches, his cigarette became
smaller and smaller, until 1t burned
his fingers and was regretfully thrown
into the gutter.
Wee Wung was about to light another
when a cab came rattling along the
bouldered street. The driver brought
the horse to a standstill at the curb
stone, directly in front of the little
comedian, and woman stepped out
upon the sidewalk. Wee Wung was
greatly surprised when she turned to
AAHi o"iu' wy Soou Noiudu, NOulu
you like to arm five dollarsT
or course the lady supposed Wee
Wung to be a woman, and the actor
smiled to himself at the mistake. He
understood English fairly well, al
though he spoke it poorly, and he COM
pretended the fact that the strange lady
of the cab wished him to perform some
f0V l., T.,
head indicating that he was perfectly
willing to earn five dollars-a sum
which is not to be laughed at by any
Chinaman, and certainly not by merce
nary little Wee Wung.
"There is no work expected of you,"
said the lady. "All you have to do is
to come with me at once, as l am in a
great hurry"