The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-09
Mr.. WU'S INTERVIEW.
Chinese Minister the Center of At
traction at a Ban.

Washington Letter TO Atlanta Journal.
The Chinese minister attended a ball at
the Riggs Hous last week and was the
center Of attraction for an hour. He cap
tured the popularity Of even the Southern
bellies, who had held their court in the
various hooks and coy corners Of the
spacious parlors prior TO his arrival. Every
person In the crowded ball room spoke TO
him. None were more eager for a word
with the distinguished diplomat than the
young ladies whose sway he had inter-
rupted, and to those he was especially at
~tentive, for WI has an eye for the Ameri-
can beauty 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 m%erriment. now in wide sur
prise.
1 managed to get TO nim as he stood d.
rectly 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
plying questions with might and main.
But WI took each in turn and either an
swered her question or turned it aside with
some pleasantly which made 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 10 the diplomat by a
Southern senator.
II am from Tennessee she replied.
"Ah, Tenseei 1 been there he exclaimed
in delighted tones. II love Tensee.'
OF course the fair one from Tennessee
was delighted at this, but she was not par
the entire bunch with one voice inter
rupted her to cry out from what State they
came and TO ask WI If he had ever Wis
tied that State. The TenneSseean got in
not another word, for a 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 smil-
ingly obliged them.
"Now you say 1 danced. yet I did not
dance this time, eh?' he jocularly re-
but I shall say you did," they invari-
ably answered.
And /, too, shall say; If asked, l had
that delight" he gracefully responded.
why are you not dancing?' / asked him.
For reply ne put forward his right foot
and displayed his queer, blunt shoe of Chi
ACSG Manufacture
Dance? With these? oh, no! A joke.
eh?" and the crowd about him appreciated
the joke.
Il know you dance WELL" 1 ventured,
for you were taught to dance by one from
my State"
Wu looked UP quickly.
you know herr" he asked with interest.
My friends know her"
Where is she now?' And for the mo-
ment the others about him were apparent
~ forgotten.
Tnabte 10 answer his question 7 brought
up another subject.
would it be possible for you to come
south for a visit to the cotton section?"
l asked.
Are you married. asked WI.
No. Could you come in February, say?"
ooh, all my time in that month is busy.
Did you ever prOpose?'
Never. L may say"
why don't you propose, them" persist
ed 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 l had
not bargained for.
whereupon he smiled innocently and bland
ly. The crowd cheered. .
WI finally said he would come South at
the first opportunity; that he was exceed
ingly anxious to come, since he had heard
of the wonderful development of that sec
ton 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 l was about to
withdraw.
u may never see her"
An, but you will, some time. VIII you
say WI sends his best wishes?"
IF L see her"
you will see her"
az hope l may, TO bear your message"
lone from me and two for y0u?' he
asked, slyly.
Goodbye" and the circle Of young folks
closed in on him merT1ly.
He remained on the ballroom floor until
he had met everybody there, and then he
quietly withdrew.