Daily Honolulu press. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1886, 1885-11-26
PLAYING FAN-TAN.
HOW THE GAME IS CARRIED ON IN
THE CHINESE pENs.
- Of the Quaker City = Celestial
Gamblers in an Inner
Rendezvous.
Philadelphia Times.]

Renuexvous.
Philadelphia Times.l
"Did you ever soc Cinnamon gamblei
Come with me, and I'll show you. They
are the most inveterate gamblers in the
world. A Canton Chinaman would sell his
cue to raise stake to gamble with"
Expressing desire to see this exhibition
Of Oriental depravity, my cicerone, who
seemed to be we'll acquainted with the queer
haunts OF tho city. taking q car to one OF
the down town wards, on a side street not
more than mile from the central station,
stopped before the front door OF house, In
the windows OF which hung the tawdry red
curtains betokening Chinese laundry.
"Chin- Chin" said he, as we entered the
interior, to an Acknowledged Celestial on
gagged In polishing up the bosom Of linen
shirt that was spread out on narrow
counter behind the dingy curtain.
"Chin- CHM responded tho Chinamnn, As
he looked up to take in the features Of bis
visitors "What can do for Mclean man tlo-
dayf'
THE PASSWORD.
My guide stepped up 20 the son OF the
Flowery Kingdom and laying his hand
lightly on bis shoulder. whispered some
most Internal teabox gibberish in bis ear.
Our laundryman appeared to catch ON sat
isfactorily. for he Immediately said:
aAllee lite; CLONE this side,n showing US
the way into the interior heather sanctum
hung with more red curtains and where the
light was dim and tho smell more than aro-
matte. sMe 60 catchee Ah-Kee. Back bly,
and bly,. Slit DOWN. motioning US to
rickety rattan sofa, which from its age
might have been used in the Confucius
homestead. and then leaving us for q
remoter part OF the house, passing out
through more red curtains, which con-
trasted periodically with the immaculate
white OF his paJama and the blue nankeen
OF his trousers
In little while Ah-Kee, who appeared TO
be sort Of mandarin In the place and who
was rather large framed Chinaman, with
keen oblique black eyes, cue tied up ON top
OF his head and dressed In semi-Europsan
costume, returned. A short confab took
place between him and the guide, and turn
Ing, he said: "Allee lite, you fond wantee
see Chinaman glamble, play fan-tan. Alice
lite. CLONE along" with which he led the
way through the red curtains, along back
by narrow hall way, up flight OF stairs
TO door leading to rear room OF tho dem
At this he stopped. "Me lap" giving
mystic wink OF his eye and an esoteric crack
or two with his long bony fingers ON the
panels. Foo, velly much fade, Nell
can dleetectiye. No wanchee get pulled"
INTO THE INNER DEN. :.
In N fev seconds tho door WAC ou,at,v nm
bolted ON inside and with Massrs Ab.Kaa
and All Foo and tho oyida ,vh, nod s,,ch
ultimate acouaiptanca With tbar tha "a
norter was carried throuoh .nother roou,
rarnisbed with mora raj curtain ana an.
othsr door wbara n o,ser siaht mat h;s
Gaze Gatbarod aho,ta Iaroa ro,,nd t.t,io
in center of room yvera soms fan or tvsIvs
Cbinamap all 40 anna rantlv ;ntant on ,vh.t
no, r,o,,,, 80, a.. th..t sts,. ~ ,.,.as
OF looked up ut the intruders. The room
was almost dark, the light was SO dim. On
the mantel over disused fireplace was
blue Canton jar, in which were burning
some tapers Most of the Cinnamon had
little long bamboo pipes the small bowls Of
which were necessarily filed. On some
couohes or hunks in far corner OF the
room were huddled two or three sleepers,
who either from opium or fatigue at the
game .or both, had succumbed. In tho
center OF the table was huge pile of brass
"cash"-the Chinese penny, with square holes
in 1t
One man, who was introduced as Hong
Lee, acted as banker, and In drawer by
him was quite comfortable pile OF United
States coin and role Of notes The game
seemed to require each Celestial round the
table in the play to rake out of the large
central pile smaller pile. Then they all
began to assort their lesser piles, together
with the banker, into small groups Of four