Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-03-18
Wee Wung explained, as best he

asking any questions, the adventurous
Chlnaman entered the vehicle with tho
strange woman and was quickly driven
up Depont street toward the business
portion Of the city. Wee Wung did not
choose to disclose his identity, for
shrewd reasons of his own. In the first
place, he preferred that his new COM
paniOn should believe him to be wOm-
an, because if she realized the true state
Of things, he feared that she might not
give him the five-dollar job after all.
Second, he wished to keep his curious
trip into the city close secret, for II
the manager of the theater discovered
that the little comedian had played
truant in order to earn extra money.
he might not approve of the adventure
at all. So Wee Wung held his tongue
and said not word to the lady seated
beside him as the cab rumbled along
the street, although he could not but
feel some curiosity to know what he
was expected to do In return for tho
money. The lady volunteered no infor-
nation upon the subject, however, so
the little comedian remained quite in
the dark.
In short time the cab came to
stop in front Of large building. the
topmOst part of which--sO Wee Wung
noted us he gazed upward-appeared to
be brilliantly lighted. The little Mon
gOlian's new friend took him by the
hand, leading him into the building and
into an elevator, and accompanying him
in flying journey to the top floor. Soon
Wee Wung found himself on platform
In the brightly Illuminated hall which
he had seen from the street. His guide,
the woman of the cab, ushered him to
one side Of the platform, behind a cur
tain, where another lady seemed TO he
waiting for them. A tall, straight. rath-
err handsome woman she was, and she
wore the most curious costume that
Wee Wung had ever seen upon an
American lady.
II have found Chinese woman for
you, Mrs. Pinkey Creston," said We
Wings woman, as she led the supposed
Chinese girl into the presence Of the
cIIduBcly COStulucU lduS.
"Oh, thank you so much, Mrs. Hes
per-" replied Mrs. Pinkley Creston, en-
Enthusiastically. I'm sure l don't know
what should have done without your
kind assistance. 1t Is after o'clock,
and l must begin at once, or my audi
ence will be growing inpatient
After bidding Wee Wung remain
where he was until told to step forward,
Mrs. PinkleyCreston walked out to the
center Of the platform, while Mrs. Hes
per took a seat in the audience. BY
peeping around the curtain behind
which he was stationed, the little Chin
aman could see that the hall was filled
with women. There was not a man
among them. What did it all mean?
Why had he been brought here? Wee
Wung was sorely puzzled. What kind
Of entertainment was this, and what
part could he possibly take in it? But
Mrs. Pinkley Creston had begun to talk.
and Wee Wung strained his ears in or
der to hear something that might throw
light upon the bewlldering situation.
MY dear friends" began Mrs. Pink
Creston, II come before you to-
night to repeat my somewhat celebrated
lecture upon 'WOman's Dress in Differ
ent Nations l have always been an
ardent advocate of dress reform and in
this sacred cause l have Travelled over
the world SO that l might become thor
oughly acquainted with the costumes
worn by the women Of different nation
alities. l now propose to take each ma
ton, one at time and describe to you
the native dress Of its women. l shall
first call your attention to the Chinese
not that they come first, necessarily,
in the matter of proper dress, but be-
cause l have secured Chinese woman
from Chinatown to illustrate this part
Of my lecture, and l do not wish to take
up too much of her time"
Here Mrs. Pinkley Creston turned her
head and smiled sweetly at Wee Wung,
and beckoned him on to the platform
before the audience. Poor Wee Wung
was terror stricken as he stepped into
view. He had appeared upon the boards
the greater part Of his life, but had
never experienced stage fright before.
NOW, all will notice." continued Mrs.
Pinkley- Creston, taking the end of Wee
Wings silken gown in her hands, "that
the Chinese women Wear only the most
soft and clinging outer garments, which
are not only comforta bic to the wearer,
but very pleasing to the eye as well.
Their great wide sleeves l also sane
ton, and trust the day will come when
all women will wear them. AS for the
undergarments of the Chinese women,
l regard them as most sensible and
praiseworthy. Now, my good woman"
the lecturer went on, addressing Wee
Wung, II wish that you would show the
ladies the rest Of your clothes, and tell
them in your best English the manner
In which you Dress"
A luminous light flashed into Wee
Wings almond eyes. At last he I'M
derstood it all.
Chinese gal no talkee," he said in his
falsetto voice, shaking his head vigor-
ously, If Mclean lady no pay five dol
lab"
"She Is afraid that will not pay her
the money which l promised her for
coming here" explained Mrs. Pinkley-
Creston to the audience. you need not
fear. my little woman, l shall give you
the five dollars" she added, turning to
Wee Wung. NOW, please to tell the
ladies about your clothes"
"Firs' give Chinese gal five dollah,"
repeated Wee Wung, with broad grin.