Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-12-26

ncr which charactcrikes all Chiua-
town hackdriving. came dashing down
Jackson Street one afternoon last week
and paused before the dlngy pile of
brick and mortar still known ~ tha
Globe Hotel. though Il has long been
the abode Of large number of Chi
nese OF all grades aud classes Of nlth
and wrctchedness. Tho occupant Of the
vehicle pushed open the hack door,
thrust forth gorgcously cnvelopcd
foot and leg. and In moment stood on
the sidewalk In all the glory Of . long
scarlet robe. green brecchcs. q Condo
Ia shaped hat. and n pig.tail of unusual
length. lie was tall for q hinamen,
and rather slim. the long robe seeming
to add u foot or two to his stature. Two
similarly arrayed Celcstials sprang
from the doorway of the building 10
meet him and said something that
sounded 70 Anglo ears like soon
tion was responded 10 by "Bal- o.
hay" and the three marched ny the
steps into the building. the last speaker
leading the way.
Its some Josh business" said the
policeman who was called on to en-.
plain what these maneuvcrs meant
But the explanation was not . very
full one. and the reporters curiosity
getting the better Of him. he climbed mp
the outer steps and followed the scarlet
robed Mongolians up two or three
flights Of dirty stairs through the smoke
and stencil which permcatsd the whole
interior. The trio paused before .
gorgeously decorated doorway leading
into room devoted TO the worship of
Chinese deities a largo room. In which
were several Cinnamon. some standing
and others sitting ON low ben hes AZ
the three newcomers opened tho door
some musicians seated In q corner oi
the room sent forth burst of melody
almost ~ sweet as that usually heard
in boiler factory. The nolse continued
until the scarlet-robed C-les ais had
made the circuit Of the room ana paused
before . huge Joss, wberc thcy stood
solemnly for q moment and then pros.
trated themselves before Il. all the 9th.
or Cinnamon falling ON their knees with
their heads bent TO the floor. Then the
music struck up again and the heather
arose to their feet and began chattering
among themselves ~ on ordinary coed.
sions. The reporter seized this pause
in the ceremonies to inquire what IVES
being done, and II WAS explained by
one Chinaman who spoke English quite
plainly that the idol had only been set
up. In the room thst morning. aud that
It was now being consccrated by the
priests. The reporter then stocd hack
At respectful distance and witnessed
the enactment Of strange scene, simi-
lar To that which Worcs has recently
been placing on canvas -"The Conss.
Grafton Of joss
A Chinese boy with q red pIgtan nov
brought long.lcggrd cock n the tall
priest, the one who had lately arrived
and who seemed to be master Of Gers.
monies. The fowl WAS taken BY the
priest, swung around In the cir three
times by the legs beforc tho paper and
tinsel god and handed back To the hoy.
A small china vessel containing sslt
was then brought 10 tho priest. who,
standing between his two scarictvobsd
attendants, sprinklcd q handful NJ the
contents over the Imags and then
placed the dish on the pedestal betwssn
bis feet Rows Of punk stick, and wax
candles. arranged about tho idol. wsrs
next ..ghted by the two assistants. and
then The boy brought . small earshen
basin Of water. In which the priest
dipped his fingers aud thsn flirtsd
them In the direction of the Joss. The
bowling process WAS then repeated, the
unearthly music resounding through
the room 20 loudly that the reporter
was obliged 10 place his hands over his
ears to keep out the din.
Then came the most interesting por.
ton Of the ceremony. The boy With
the red pigtail brought Q email pot at
vermilion and q brush. One of thess
was handed to the right-hsnd assistant
and &c other to the left Both were
then presented to the priest who took
them. mumbling some words. which
could scarcely be heard on account ol
the changing and s,jueakiug of the
musical instruments. The priest dipped
the brushes In the paint and held eosh
aloft. This was . signal Tor more
kueeling by those around and rcdouhled
energy on the part of the suusiciaas,
lie then applied the brush 10 tho staring
black eyes of the image. leaving . lissis
round red spot ON each. This PEE.
fccted the divinity Of the joss. Belers
this he had been only passsboaed sad
paper; now be was cmnlposent HE
eycs could read the future. and hs wss
capable of giving good fortune 70 Me
worshipers and bad luck to tho>e Who
disrcgardcd him and believed not IN
his powers. The music ceassd. the
ceremonies came 10 q close and tbs
hcathcn pssscd out II tho joss-house.
down the stairs and into the street.
These cercmonics arc ot monthly 90.
currcnce In al the joss houses. the
paper gods being taken out ints the
street aud burned. and new ones set up
In their stead. - saH FrancSsco CAres.
Ice