The Success of a Mistake

Abstract

This story has been transcribed exactly as it appeared in the Westerner 8.3 (1908): 18-21. In some places punctuation marks are inconsistent, but the inconsistency is not noted with a [sic]. In one instance, [sic] is used to draw attention to an error in typesetting a character's name. IN ANSWER to the reporter's knock the door of the Chinese Mission swung open and a good-looking Chinaman appeared. Good morning, Wah said the reporter. Have you any news for me today? not know, but I got something to tell and perhaps you call it news, returned the Chinaman. I'll come in and hear what it is, and the young woman stepped within the Mission. It was a good-sized room, furnished with half a dozen long tables, around which were ranged wooden benches. There was matting on the floor, a few biblical pictures on the wall, and scattered on the tables were Bibles and text books. At the further end of the room, facing the door, was an alcove, the floor of which was raised so that it could be used as a platform. On the back wall of the alcove was an illuminated card on which was printed The Lord's Prayer in Chinese characters. The reporter had visited the school on other occasions, so she did not waste any time in asking questions, but with notebook and pencil in hand waited for the Chinaman to speak. think now perhaps I better not tell you, he said after some hesitation. Why, Wah Lee, of course you will. right. I think what I say. You know Wong Lee. She live on Jackson street. She very smart woman, all same American woman and Chinese woman too--and all same lawyer. Well, she have ten children, seven girl and three boy. The name of the eldest boy it is Charlie, and the name of her eldest girl it is Anna. They have Chinese name, All the children of the Wong family they born in this country. The eldest daughter she very pretty girl, her skin it smooth and white as rice, her face shaped like a melon seed, her mouth same as red leaf of vine, her nose fine carved piece of jade stone, her eye long and black, and her hair most plenty and shiny and dressed in the first Chinese style. See! Yes, I see, Wah. The Chinaman, who seemed to have lost himself in his description of his young countrywoman, became suddenly embarrassed. That's all right, encouraged the reporter, removing from him the scrutiny of her eyes. like to hear you. It is the first time I have heard a Chinaman acknowledge that he paid any attention to things feminine. I remember that when I called upon Tsing Leang soon after his wife came to America and inquired as to how she was, what she looked like, how old, if she dressed in American or Chinese clothes, and so forth, that his answer to each and every question was 'I don't know. That so, Miss Lund. Perhaps you ask same question of American man, he says he not know, too. The reporter flushed, but answered good naturedly: True! But you understand, Wah, that when we Americans ask questions of Chinese people that it is because we want you to enlighten us on subjects about which we are ignorant, and not with the intention of being rude. Sure that your case, returned the Chinaman. think you very kind lady. Now I complete what I say, and he concluded his remarks with an interesting item of news concerning the Wong family. A CHINESE BETROTHAL. Mrs. Wong, the wife of Wong Chow, well-known Chinese merchant of Jackson street, has gone to San Francisco to find a suitable husband for her eldest daughter, Anna, Wong is a Chinese lady of education and refinement, and is resolved to betroth her daughter to none but a man of ability and character. Miss Anna is said to be a very pretty girl, and great festivities and rejoicings will take place at her wedding. The above, followed by a description of Chinese betrothal and marriage customs, appeared in Miss Lund's paper the evening of her interview with Wah Lee. …