The Washington times., 1902-08-28
YOUTHFUL MERCHANT
SELLS TO MINISTER WI
Diplomat Buys Raper From
Atlantic City NeWsboy.
HELD UP ON THE BOARDWALK
After Hearing Recital of Days Doings
Chinaman Tenders Him a Quarter
ThrustS Brand New Coin Into Little
Fellows Hand and Waves Him Away.

ATLANTIC CITY. Aug. 26.-Wu Ting
fang the Chinese Minister. and his wife
VINO are stopping at the Chelsea Hotel,
were two of three central figures on
the boardwalk yesterday that furnished
considerable amusement as well as ex-
cited the interest of number OF board
walk promenaders. The third figure was
little Abe Claflin. newsboy.
The famous Chinese diplomat and his
wife were being pushed along the es-
planade yesterday in a double rolling
chair. The Chinaman was an interested
observer of the hurry and hustle OF the
famous thoroughfare. and every once
and 5hile would incline his head and
say something to his better half. at
which she would laugh heartily, the
minister at the same time giving d
broad smile that showed his snow white
teeth and almost hid his bright eyes.
Just then the little ncwsboy dashed up
to the side OF the chair in which were
Mr.. and Mrs. Wu, and thrusting copy
Oh newspaper III lIoHt VI the uiPio-
mats eyes. said Paper, sir?"
WI looked the boy over curiously and
with his eyes twinkling with suppressed
merrimcnt, said to him, What paper
is it?"
"One with the latest news" replied
Abe.
Buys a Paper.
oh" exclaimed WI. How much is
it?"
Two cents" replied the boy.
That's right" said WI, but why
should l buy it,
IT'S got ap the news" spoke up Abe.
That's all very well" said WI, but
the successful merchant is always able
to tell all about his goods. You tell me
nothing but the price
This sort of puzzled Abe, but the mer-
~ twinkle in the distinguished mans
eyes gave him an inkling.
All the while the chair was being
rolled along the walk Abe trotting
along by its side and a big crowd fol-
lowing after, listening to the dialogue.
With a sudden glance at the newspaper
re held in his hand little Abe suddenly
spoke up and said: Here's something
about prosperity and a naval war on
;he Atlantic coast. ana here's your
friend General Miles. the dandiest gen
eral of all, ordered to the Philippines,
and here's something about waterspout
and mystery about a dead sailor and
the President a godfather, and then
there's the sporting news.
4. Irrl IN, Iva rr,u
the paper" and he thrust bright new
quarter into the little fellows hand and
waved him away.
Shark Fins for Breakfast.
There Is another Chinaman in town
BESIDES Wu Ting-fang. Until this morn
ing he was employed as a cook in a
hotel on Tennessee Avenue. He would
havc been there still had he not taken
upon himself 10 vary the bill of fare
at Breakfast time by the introduction
of an innovation not down on the regu
lar bill OF fare
Last night Ying Lee, or something
like that, attended function in the
an early hour this morning carrying
with him the remnants of a Chinese
"tea party" in which tea did not fig
ure to the exclusion of Chinese stimu
lants of z spurious nature. Incident
ally he also brought home with him
for his own use several choice birds
nests. which had been imported from
China to tickle the palates of Atlantic
City ceIestials. lie also brought home
with him a bunch of tender sharks fms.
Before anyone else in the house was
awake the Celestial cook was busily
engaged in the kitchen in compound
ing mysterious dishes from the birds
nests and sharks fms.
Me slerve China food today, Nell !
can food n. g." said the cook with a
grin.
IN the meantime the guests who had
arisen with yawning appetites were
crowding into the dining room clamor-
ing for their breakfast. The head
waiter picked up the viands la China
and hurriedly served them in the din
ing room There was a Gathering of
knives and forks followed by howls and
groans and hasty exits from the din
ing room.
in the midst Of the commotion the |
landlord appeared upon the scene and I
came nearly being mobbed by his pa
irons, some of whom asserted that no /
doubt he meant to poison them. The |
head waiter volunteered ar explara-
ticn and the proprietor going into the |
kitchen informed Lee that his services |
were no longer needed. He then left |
the kitchen.