The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-27
MINISTER WU'S PERSONALITY.
Took to American Ways Easily and
So Did Madame Wu.

Washington Letter in Baltimore American.
Minister WI lived up to his theory of
adopting American manners and language,
so far as ii was consistent with his high
official rank He learned to speak English
perfectly and learned to appreciate the
merits of a cocktail. He caught on to every
new American slang phrase as fast as it
appeared, and he rarely lost money at
poker. OF course, he retained his Oriental
garb. But he made his little boy as
thorough an American boy as any lad in
Washington The little chap went to the
public schools and entered the battalion of
cadets and served in the ranks. Indeed,
one of the prettiest sights ever witnessed
in Washington occurred at a drill of the
cadets on the White Lot, just behind the
White House Minister WI and Madame
WI had gone to the review in their auto
mobile. and when the cadets were drawn
up for inspection by the President, Madame
WI looked up and down the lines in vain
to find her little son. Just as the President
passed the flag and the colors were dropped
in salute to the chief executive the little
lady gave "A faint scream of delight. She
had recognized her little son the color
bearer of the battalion. Even Minister WI
smiled in approval to see his boy carry
ing the stars and stripes.
Socially Mr.. WI was one of the most
popular members of the diplomatic corps
in Washington. There has always been
something fascinating about the Chinese
legation, and the desire TO be a guest at
entertainments within its walls has con-
sumed not only those within the charmed
circle, but those who were not on the visit
ing list of the minister frequently crowded
the parlors of the legation building on the
days of Madame WI. Even when large
receptions We're given many unbidden
guests came. This habit of some people
annoyed Mr.. WI when he first began to
entertain, and he wondered a the manners
of the Americans who came to his house
adopted the system of inclosing cards of
admission to the house with his invita-
tons, and those who were wont to come
without the necessary requests soon found
that the affairs at the Chinese legation
were not free for all, ," and Mr.. WI has
not been troubled lately with invited
guests.
MIR WI is very fond of the society of
young American ladies' and Madame WI
always has a bevy of charming young la
dies assisting her 40 receive when there is
function on at the legation. Soon after
Mr.. WI arrived IN Washington he was in
vited to a csrd party and introduced to
the mysteries OF progressive euchre. The
game fascinated him, and he soon became
quite an expert player. Whenever Mr.. WI
played euchre he played to win the first
prize, and he was generally successful.
Whenever, in the course OF the game, he
was Obliged to play with a poor partner
as is often the case in the course of an eve
ming, he never forgot his invariable po-
liteness but he managed to make the I'M
fortunate partner feel uncomfortable and
ready to change with someone Use soon
as they moved to another table. Mr.. WI
gave large euchre parties at the Chinese
legation during the season, and he him
self was fond Of the prizes 10 be won, he
always prepared the most elaborate prizes
for his guests in the way of Chinese curiGS
of rich silks and embroideries.
Mr. WI always liked to be up to date
AS soon as the bicycle craze started in
Washington Mr.. WI caught the fever and
got a wheel. on account of his national
costume and its skirts. he was obliged TO
get a drOp-frame or ladies wheel. He
used to take long spins on his bicycle, not
only in the city. but on pleasant afternoons
he could be seen wheeling along The
country roads, frequently accompanied by
a party of young ladies. They would WHEEL
out 10 Chevy Chase or Cabin Johns Bridge
for dinner and come home by moonlight.
The decline of the bicycle craze in Wash
ingtOn was deplOred by Mr.. Wa, but he did
not give up his wheel altogether. He still
rides il, but with the advent of the auto
mobile Mr.. WI became Chauffeur and au-
tOmObilist.
Mrs Wu likes the automobile much bet
ter than she did the bicycle. On account of
her very small feet she could not use the
pedals of the bicycle, but she can sit in the
automobile and delights to go whirling over
the smooth asphalt pavements of Washing
ton in her swift gliding machine. Mr.. WI
got his automobile just about the time OF
the Boxer uprising in China, and as he was
obliged to go TO the State Department sew
eral times a day during that exciting sum-
mer Mr.. Wu's automobile became as famI-
lar OF Executive avenue as Mr.. WI him
self. Mr.. Wa learned 10 handle the ma
chine, but he did not care 10 act often
the chauffeur. SO he had his cOlored valet.
Charley Lee, TO drive the machine. The law
requires all chaneurs in Washington to
take out an engineers license to run an au-
tomobile so Charley Lee, on the application
of Mr. WI, became an engineer. Mr.. WI
got him a regular automobile livery, and he
always takes Nine. Wa out when she rides
in the auto.
Mrs WI during the season pays her calls
in the auto one of the attaches of the
legation sits the little seat in front of
the machine while madam and Charley Lee
sit on the main seats. The Chinaman jumps
out at the houses and leaves madam's cards
where she does not care 20 enter the house.
Mr.. WI is very fond Of good dinner and
the accompanying wines. He has the repu-
tation Of being able 10 stand more wine
than the usual diner-Out. Mr.. WI was
been much sought after at public func-
tons
The old-timers often remarked on Mr.
Wu's ability 20 stand the wine at dinner
parties one time a number OF his friends
decided 10 give him dinner and drink him
under the table. He accepted the invita- ton
and the dinner went along with great eclat.
Mr. WI drank all the wine placed before
the least sign Of weakening. and finally
long after midnight, Mr.. WI was seen
emerging from the banquet hall all smiles
and bows and sober, apparently, as
when he entered. When he was asked
where the others We're he smiled his bland
and childlike smile and said: They are
where l believe you call IL under the
table. This was the last attempt made 70
drink Mr. Wu down.
Mr. WI Is very fond OF the theater. The
- t-to -.