Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-10
Minister WI Ting fang
Interviews interviewer
BY MILF SAUL.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-The Chinese
minister attended ball at the Riggs
house last week and was the center of
attraction for an hour. He captured the
popularity of even the southern bellies,
who had held their court in the various
hooks and cosy corners of the spacious
parlors prior TO his arrival. Every person
IN the crowded ball room spoke to him.
None we're more eager for word with
the distinguished diplomat than the young
ladies whose sway he had interrupted,
and to those he was especially attentive,
for WI has an eye for the American beau
ty that not even the most ardent local
beau can boast.
He wore his oriental robe of light bro
caded silk with a purple jacket. His head
was adorned by a jaunty little purple
cap from which depended an elaborate
tassel of black. Of course he wore the
great round glasses so often seen in news
paper pictures of the minister, and
through these his beady little eyes spark
led now in merriment, now in wide sur
prise.
managed to get to him as he stood
directly beneath a great chandelier, the
brilliant reflection of which shimmered
against his silk and satin garments and
made the quaint figure extremely
picturesque. About him a dozen or
more animated young girls were
gathered, each plying questions with
might and main. But WI took
each in turn and either answered her
question or turned it aside with some
pleasantly which hade the entire party
smile in unison with his own broad smile.
where you live?' he asked a vivacious
young lady who was brought into the cir
Gle and presented to the diplomat by
southern senator.
II am from tennessee" she replied
"Ah, Tensee! 1 been there" he ex-
claimed in delighted tones. II love Ten
see."
OF course the fair one from Tennessee
was delighted at this, but she was not
particularly pleased, you may believe,
when the entire bunch with one voice in
terrupted her to cry out from what state
they came and to ask WI If he had ever
visited that state. The Tennesseean got
in not another word, for moment later
she was forced aside in the crush and
went away pouting.
A score or more begged him for auto
graphs on their dance cards and WI
smilingly obliged them.
Now you say I danced, yet 1 did not
dance this time, eh?" he jocularly remark
ed to several.
But I shall say you did," they invari-
ably answered.
"And I too shall say If asked. had
that delight" he gracefully responded.
"Why are you not dancing?" I asked
him.
For reply he put forward his right foot
and displayed his queer, blunt shoe of
Chinese manufacture.
Dance? With these? Oh, no! A joke,
eh?" and the crowd about him appreciated
the joke.
Il know you dance WELL" I ventured,
"for you were taught to dance by one
from my state
WI looked up quickly.
You know herr" he asked with inter-
est.
"My friends know her."
where is she now?" And for the mo-
ment the others about him were appar-
emily forgotten.
Unable to answer his question I brought
up another subject.
Would 1t be possible for you to come
south for a visit to the cotton section?"
l asked.
Are you married?" asked WI.
mo. Could you come in February
say?"
''oh, all my time in that month is busy.
Did you ever propose?
Never. I may say"
"Why don't you propose then?" per-
sisted WI, and the crowd laughed, none
more keenly than the minister himself.
Gould you come south in March?"
suggested to get out of a situation I had
not bargained for.
"Ah, 1 know. She would refuse you,"
whereupon he smiled innocently and
blandly. The crowd cheered.
WI finally said he would come south at
the first opportunity; that he was ex-
ceedingly anxious to come since he had
heard of the wonderful development of
that section in the past ten years. But
he did not stop with that.
when will you see her who taught me
to waltz?'' he asked, as I was about to
withdraw
Il may never see her"
"Ah but you will, some time. Will you
say WI sends his best wishes?'
IF see her"
"You will see her"
"I hope I may, to bear your message"
lone from me and two for your he
slyly asked.
Goodbye" and the circle Of young
folks closed in on him merrily.
He remained on the ball room floor until
he had met everybody there and then he
quietly withdrew.