The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-04-08
WEE WUNG'S
PREDICAMENT

1t has been two or three years since
Wee Wung returned to Pekln. but fond
recollections of his great genius still
nnger In the hearts Of the people Of
chinatown. He was considered by the
Ohinese Of San Francisco the very best
female impersonator that had ever trod
the boards of a theater outside of the
Blowery Land. He was honored and
d1ned by the wealthiest Mongolians in
Chinatown, and admired by all as the
prince or comedians, during his years
engagement with the local stock com
pany.
wee Wung, who was good-looking
little man Of about twenty-five years.
always appeared In the leading female
role or a play, and always made the
nit OF the performance. His makeup
as gentle little belle was work of art
and his portrayal Of the feminine role
was even more artistic. With his beau-
urul wig Of oily black hair adorned with
many Jeweled pins and tiny chains,
Win MS 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-
slonally 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
tnan usual, and, after he had donned
MS FEMININE garments and given his
FACE the usual maidenly appearance.
ne discovered that he had mistaken the
nour, 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-
ca TO enjoy his spare moments In a pro-
longed smoke. SO he rolled I'D several
cigarettes with his rice paper and To-
pacco and sauntered down to the stape |
door, where he might stand on the stems |
and inhale the refreshing night air TO- |
gether with the smoke.
He leaned against the DOORWAY md
directed his gaze toward the star-llt skv
while his thoughts wandered avav 40
nls beloved Pekin. He pictured In his |
mind his return to his native land Aush- |
ed with artistic triumphs on American
soil, MS purse overlooking with Amer
lean dollars. For Wee Wung, like most
OF his fellow couDtrymen who sail to
America, had come with but one object
IN view, and that was to carry hocl,
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 cab came rafting along the
Douldered street. The driver brought
the horse to a standstlll at the curb-
stone, directly in front of the LITTLE
comedian, and a woman stepped ont
upon the sidewalk. Wee Wung was
greatly surprised when she turned to
him and said my good woman, would
you like to earn five dollarsr
OF course the lady supposed Wee
Wung to be woman. and the actor
'miled to himself at the mistake. He
understood English fairly well, al
hough he spoke 1t poorly, and he COM
rehended the fact that the strange lady ,
4 the cab wished him to perform some
ervice for money. He nodded his I
cad, indicating that he was perfectly
Killing to earn five dollars-a sum {
-hich is not to be laughed at by any Y
hinaman, and certainly not by MERGE s
iry little Wee Wung. q
There Is no work expected Of you," t
Id the lady. "All you have to do is a
come with me at once, as am In a 8
eat hurry" 3