Norwich bulletin., 1909-06-12

| very nlce tO me when was m EeklnS
 He was clever amateur actor and
 often appeared in plays given by the
 members of the legations. AS the
 head of the imperial customs he had authority over at least two thousond subordinates to whom his word was | law.
 ''The Ladies' Literary and Musical Club of Peking was a very exclusive organization of, and gentlemen were
 not permitted to attend their social gatherings. notwithstanding their per- sistent efforts. for many years. The | wife of the secretary os the Americail l legation, and her lady companion, were 1 prominent members of the club. and i after becoming very well acquainted they invited me to attend one of their | afternoon entertainments, and not knowing of their exclusiveness, I ac cepted their invitation. But when 1 mentioned it to Minister Young, he 1 laughed and said:
 "The ladies will accept your escort | to the place of meeting and then, no doubt will thank you and bid you good-by."
 "An right" said l, "and I will es- teem 1t an honor to act as their es- cort."
 The time came for the meeting, and | together we went to the hall. Arriv- ing at the entrance, where I expeced they would bid me good-by, to my great surprise they invited me in, and there, within their meeting room, was gathered as lovely company of ladies as I ever met. When called to order | by the lady president a box was pro- duced containing the names of all pre- sent on paper slips, and as they were drawn from the box the lady an- swering to that name was expected to contribute to the entertainment either with song. a recitation, or reading ! of an original paper, and as the ladies were all moving in the highest walks of society, you may depend everything was to the queens taste. By a. singu- lar freak, my name was the last one drawn from the box, and I was called upon for speech and from what gathered from those who preceded and the inspiration of the surround ings, I made the speech of my life, and those who heard it will remember 1t to this day-that is, if they have not forgotten 1t. After the exercises, we were treated to refreshments, but as we were passing out we met in the hallway the Rev. Dr. Martin, presi- dent of the university, and I happened to be accompanied by his wife. When he saw me, the surprise depicted on
 Wife" said he "how's this 2" Flows Is what7" asked Mrs. Mar
 why" said the doctor. the gen. tlemen of Peking have been trying for years to be admitted to your sanctum and have never succeeded, but here comes this man from Tien-tsin and you receive him with open arms"
 Well, doctor" said Mrs. Martin, I've have drawn the line now"
 And where, pray, have you drawn the line?" asked he.
 We have drawn the line at grand pas" said his wife.
 "Then, doctor" said I, ''you will have to hurry up and become a grand pa, and then you can claim admit tance to this charming club" an irl- stance where a soft answer turneth away wrath"
 Another very pleasing event happen ed during my stay in Picking. I had intended leaving for Tien-tsin on Wednesday, but a very cordial invi tation from Sir Robert Hart inviting me to remain and attend the concert he proposed giving on Friday evening delayed my departure and on the evening appointed, Minister Young and myself, in our sedan chairs, repaired to the place appointed and there we found gathered in the reception room all the officials of the legation with their men and women friends, and it was just too lovely for anything. When the time came for the concert to commence Sir Robert requested the gentlemen to wait until he had seated the ladies, and he distributed them in such a way that each gentleman had lady to sit beside him. and when all were properly distributed, the gentle men were invited in. The first to en- ter was Sir Harry Parks; then fol- lowed Minister Young, and I, feel f~.- I.-k 1r- 4~rr1 1r~~f all those ministers, felt that I ought to Ego away back and sit down." But Sir Robert called me to him, and said he: You come with me-" and I fol- lowed him, when he took me around outside the seats, up to the center of the front row, and there was the only upholstered chair in the room. As we came to it Sir Robert said: There, MT, Bromley, Is your seat"
 Said I. 'Is this for me, Sir Robert 2"
 Tt certainly is," said Sir Robert.
 Well" may God bless you," | re- piled. "'Tis all can say"
 When I was seated I found at my right was the wife of the Russian min ister. and on my left the wife of the secretary of the American legation. Why, the honor conferred on me was simply overwhelming and I was prompted to pinch myself that I might be assured of my being the same indi- Vidual who once turned the wheel in my fathers ropewalk. The concert was a delightful one. The music was exquisite and all enjoyed 1t heartily, and the social function at its close shall never forget. for the attentions I received while mingling with the ladies and gentlemen of the party real ly made me feel that was a minister myself But the spell was of very short duration. for the next day after the most delightful visit of my life l had to bid good-by to Peking and all its loved attractions and return to my modest consulate at Tien-tsin and again assume the duties thereunto belonging. But 1 had enjoyed an ex- perience that falls to the lot of but very few men.
 One of my interesting experiences while visiting Peking was a New Years call, in connection with the other foreign representatives on one of the princes. MT: Young kindly in vited me to accompany him on this visit of ceremony. Upon our arrival, we were ushered into the great court of the building through long files of we'll dressed Chinese, who gave us the customary salutatiens and wished us a Happy New Year. Our cards had pre- ceded us, and we were met at the en- trance of the court by the grand sec retary and at the door by the prince, the highest official who holds direct communication with foreigners. As I was the only stranger present had the honor of special attention from the prince after being presented, and as we were waiting for the Russian min ister before sitting down to the table had quite a pleasant talk with him through our legation interpreter. As is the custom, he asked my age and when he learned that I had a wife.