Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-02-17
HE Chinese New Year in San Fran
cisco.

feigned, and high and low, rich and poor,
altered the dull routine of their daily
dives, and on the first day of the new year
RECALLED themselves with holiday. The
cobbler's seat on the corner was vacant; ;
the half-worn shoes and patched-up boots
were laid aside, and the cobbler himself
ruas arrayed in his " best bib and tucker"
looking remarkably different in his
dandified dress from the STOPPING, busy
figure in faded and patched clothing that
draws waxen threads through cloth shoes
ON the usual working days. The forms
that usually bent beneath the weight of
two heavy baskets hung on pole gave
up for the day the sale Of vegetables, fruit
and fish, with patriotic disregard of coin
truly wonderful No single back door in
the city was yesterday tapped by Celes-
'tial visitor with the inquiry: You likee
dshee?" for work on the festive occasion
was sacrilege and enjoyment duty. With
them, as with the Americans, the practice
of making calls prevails, and all through
the day the houses were filled by acquaint-
anceS, going and coming, remaining
few moments to pass the compliments of
the day, drinking a glass of wine, and
then making way for the next caller.
Noticeable in the hands of all were little
slips ofred paper marked with Chinese
characters, those being the visiting cards.
The weather. portion were arrayed in
rich vestments, full dress being the rule.
When an acquaintance was met graceful
bow took place on either side, polite
word or two was spoken, surprising him
who had imbibed the popular low idea of
Cinnamon in general by the courtliness
and general air of good breeding which the
salutation exhibited. But the visiting was
not confined to the Chinese alone. The
tame OF the day attracted many ladies and
gentlemen, who could be seen in all parts
OF the Chinese quarters, accompanied by
their China boys, the latter highly enjoy
ing their office as cicerone and guide, and
exhibiting a national pride in explaining
the myriad points Of interest incompre-
hensibie to the American eye. As soor as
darkness spread over the city the calling
down to quiet evening at home. One by
one the candles in the large lanterns that
adorned each doorway were lighted, and
the parti-colored rays colOred Enthusiastically
the faces and dresses Of those who
thronged on the sidewalks below. Most
brilliant shOne the restaurants in their red,
green, blue and yellow paint, brilliantly
lighted by numberless lanterns. The
streets in front were filled with persons
anxious for admittance But "many
were called, though few were chosen"
the proprietorS being very particular as to
who came III. The magic word "Chr0n-
tcJe'' proved a sufficient passport, how
ever, and reporter followed two ladies
and fat gentleman up the stairway to
the eating rooms above. On the way up,
a primitive-looking kitchen was seen,
with an array of brass kettles and other
utensils used in preparing the ambrosial
feasts that regale the Chinese palate. At
flle first landing the fat gentleman stopped
70 blow, and the ladies admired some
,acraggy- looking specimens of Chinese
art upon the walls. In the upper story
sat two quiet-looking, well-dressed China
men, who grayelY saluted the visitors as
they came in, and conducted them to a
small table whereon were placed trays of
-8weetmeats, tea, liquors, etc. The visitors
Fe-e pressed to partake and the fat gen
1emaR, not to be outdone in politeness,
-rashly started in, chewing everything
that WAS offered him. He first took some
gugared cocoanut, then some article that
Looked like peeled almonds, and tasted
pretty we'll. This embOldened him, and
lie next tackled some sringy little things
that looked like rats tails fried in rancid
lard This did not 90 down so easily.
and the smile on his face changed to
look of grim determination as he looked
II 'ttlt articles yet untasted The next
thing on the list laid him out, however. a
wOrmy little nut that tasted like we'll
roded peanut soaked in a quinine solu-
ton. lie strangled little, turned pale,
and, excusing himself to the ladies, went
out to look at the scenery from the rear
balcony. In the rear of the room was the
altar, behind which was large picture of
the chief joss, with feminine deity at his
right hand, and on his left tiendish-
looking parsonage with black whiskers
and . ruddy complexion, looking some
hing alike the picture of ood-thirsty
pirate on the exterior of a dime novel
The altar was ornamented in every con-
ceivable way. Pyramids of lemons and
oranges, wax fruits representing angels
peaches" ARTIFICIAL flowers, pyramids of
cube-shaped -four, cakes painted in
variety of colors and dressed with imita-
sion dragons, lizards, bugs, butterflies,
and the like, China lilies blooming in
colored vases, cups of tea, and what was
called holy water, though it bore the I'M
mistakable evidence of bug-iuice; in
short, everything eatable and drinkable
that Joss who had been well brought up
could ask for or desire. The altar was
lighted with col9red lamps, the air was
freighted with the odOr of burning pinks
and incense and the whole Srana made I'M