Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-07-09
ats all right, John; l want to buy

Come in" said the Chinaman, in
modified tones.
The rough door was pushed open,
and the reporter entered the room
where the joss-maker-for such the
man was-plled his peculiar vocation
Here were seen unsubstantial idols OF
all descriptions ranged around the
room in a promiscuous fashion, and
with what seemed lack of reverence
on the part of the manufacturer. Then
there was the raw material-gilded
and colored paper, rough framework
and other cessories--strewn about
fireplace, odds and ends, dirt and dis
order being everywhere visible.
"You paintee man?" asked the joss.
maker, as he picked up scrap of blue
paper, probably intended for the robe
of god, and which the reporter had
sacrilegiously trodden upon. "Some
paintee man buy joss; makee pictua"
"No, I'm not an artist, but | wish
toprice the gods. What is that one
worth?" and u blue, red and yellow
idol, witha staring countenance and
with the convention alChinese head
dress, together with paper robes
stuffed with cotton, was pointed out,
"Twenty-n dolla," was the reply.
Assuming that the price was salts
factory and pending an imaginary
transfer of the property, it was found
by putting a few questions to the
Monaghan that quite trade in those
idols is carried on in this city, though,
OF course, the chief buyers are the
worshippers Of joss. When finished,
the joss, if it is one which has been
made to order fora wealthy Celestial,
or which is to take its place in tenn
pie, must first be consecrated by high
priest, who, with his acolytes, goes
through long and apparently recon-
dite ceremonial, winding up by daub-
ing a little red paint in
each of the black eyes of the joss,
who is then enabled to see into the
mysteries of this world and hereafter
1t is the dying wish Of every Chinese
who can afford it that a joss may be
burned for him after his death, and
this proceeding forms a part of all
well-regulated funeral ceremonies
another cause for the great demand on
the elligy manufacturer and con-
slant source Of revenue to him. The
head being of wood or piable card.
board, and the body of cheap though
gaudy material, there is nothing to be
considered of value; the ingenious
workmanship in which such display
of detail is made may be quoted of far
more consequence than the useful or
eXtraneous stuff which goes to make
up the potent and mystic joss. Even
the paper finger nails, of extraordina-
ry length, are finely curved, and
the thick-soled shoes and fan are not
omitted. A half-completed joss is one
of the queerest looking sights to be
seen in the Chinese quarter, work be-
ing commenced from the feet, and the
inside portion Of the body being
plainly visible.
The subject Of the proposed pur,
chase was again brought up by the
Monaghan, and while he was jabber-
ing away regarding the merits of the
life-sized image which the reporter
had singled out, and telling what good |
luck it would bring the buyer, another
leading child, entered the
apartment. The little heather was
down on his knees and had bumped his
head against the floor before the joss,
while a youthful pigtail trailcd in the
lust, before the reporter knew what |
TO make of the scene. jerking the
to his feet the guardian
snapped out something in his native
tongue, whereat the child began to
cry.
Him no goodee." exclaimed the
to the reporter, and point
ng at the image, said: mo catchee
ed spot on him eye
The reporter saw an opportunity to
but the joss-maker followed
lin to the door.
You habee him--ten dolla."
"No; I'll call again.
"Six dolla.'
But with a good day his visitor had
led the scene.-SQn Francisco Bulle-