St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-07

have read so many untrue and unreaSOn-
able articles about opium and opium smoK-
ers that | deem it a duty, as one VINO mas
had a thorough introduction to this habit.
10 write true and unbiased account OF all
Of my experience, which will serve to en-
tighten your readers in all the details that
have heretofore remained mystery. IL Is
no fault of the papers that they have been
unable TO get at the bottom facts, because
those addicted to the habit are not noted
for their veracity, nor do they wish their
secret to become known. But L have been
cured of the habit and so have no mere in
.erest in keeping the secrets Of the United
Order Of Dope" iends.
One evening three years ago met friend
whom had not seen for some time. For
Dne who professed to be SO delighted to see
NE again | thought it very strange he should
De in such hurry to leave, and told him
80. He then unboSOmed his reasons for
leaving. He was going to Init the pipe"
| demanded he should take me with him.
He showed great reluctance, but after some
persuasion consented, reminding me that If
[ ever had cause TO repent the visit to
a joint l should never blame him. l
laughed at the idea of harm ceming, except
ii the place were raided. and this l was
willing to risk. So away we went, taking
car down town.
Getting off the car we proceeded to Pell
street, where he led the way up several
steps through dark hall and raped at a
door in the back part leading to the base
ment.
Some one from the inside inquired
"Who?"
My friend replied, ''En she quay"
(Chinese words meaning opium-smoker.)
''WhO en- she OUaVqn was asked
Little Doc" my friend answered again.
After a moments waiting a bolt was
withdrawn from the inside, and opening
the door, we proceeded down the stairs,
which were lighted by lantern hung from
the ceiling. There were about six steps,
then another door, in which little wicket
opened and yellow face appeared, scrutin-
izing us inquiringly:
''How many?" the face asked on seeing
us both.
''Two," my friend replied, and another
bolt was withdrawn. My friend opened
the door and we entered.
1t was small room, smelling like most
Chinese laundries, only the odor was more
pronounced. The room was about twenty
feet long by fifteen wide. On one side ex-
tending the whole length, was platform
raised two feet above the floor and wide
Four or five feet above this was another
platform only few feet below the ceiling
At the other end of the room were two
similar platforms.
The end OF the room was partitioned OF,
having door and large window. This
window had number of wooden bars rum
ming across it. These were to prevent any
one reaching their hands through to the
counter behind. This little room was
lighted by single gas jet, and a couple OF
Cinnamon were in there talking away in
their own language. The platforms were
occupied by men and women in little groups
lying around little lamps and smoking
cigarets and afterwards learned, opium.
Several people were stretched out asleep.
My friend was evidently well acquainted
with the smokers; for they nearly all sa-
luted him and asked him what was new out
il the world. Selecting vacant place,
my friend told me to take off my coat and
place it on a little stool to be used as a
pillow. He sat on the edge of the bunk
talking to a man who had risen from the
bunk when we entered.
He invited this man to smoke with us
and introduced him to me as frankie 1.-THE
Kid" The Kid accepted the invitation and
lay on the other side of US, my friend rest
ing his head on my breast. A LAYOUT I"
as my friend called it, was ordered and one
of the Cinnamon brought it to us. The
Layout" consisted of an ordinary little
tin waiter, knitting needle fattened at
one end and gradually receding TO point
at the other, which he called a yen hook, a
little glass lamp of peculiar pattern, wet
sponge in a china dish, small tin dish to
deposit cigaret stuInps or ashes and a pipe
of very curious construction. A small
clam shell contained black, taTTy-looking
stuff and this was the opium.
The kid" prepared the pipe and my
friend smoked, taking one long draw. Next
was my turn and l tried to do likewise,
but it threw me into a fit of coughing
They told me to breathe through my nose
whenever l felt the choking sensation. l
did this and got along pretty well, they
said, for beginner.
FIRST SENSATIONS.
When ! had smoked several times I be-
gan to have dizzy sensation about my
head, and objects appeared very indistinct
to my vision. | had an itchy feeling all
over my body, which tried in vain to re-
lieve. l smoked a little more and there
was feeling of nausea at my stomach.
then decided to stop smoking.
My friend told me to lay perfectly still
and try to go to sleep, but the more | tried
the less sleepy felt Ny nerves became
exceedingly sensitive, the least little noise
causing me to tremble with fear, and my
heart beat wildly. | also felt very thirsty
and asked for drink, but they told me
that must not above all things, attempt
TO drink water. So l lay quiet little
while longer, getting all the more nervous,
and then attempted to start home.
Ny friend warned me not to, but per-
and II \
on my feet the room seemed TO whirl around
and around and strange noises buzzed in
my ears
This passed off in few minutes and NV
throat felt so dry l could not resist the
temptation Of taking drink from bucket
OF water that stood on table in the Joint
= The moment l drank 1t l was sorry had
not needed my friends advice, for the in
slant 1t was down up it came as bitter as
gall; so, hastily bidding my friend good
night, staggered out and started for home
The fresh air revived me somewhat. bur /
vomited every few steps, pitching abont
like drunken man. was completely be-
wiidered; everything appeared backward to
my mind, and it was with the greatest diff
Guilty l managed to find my way to car.
But in some way, how am unable to
say. L succeeded in reaching home. L did
not wait to dlsrobe, but threw myself on the
bed just as L was. going to sleep instantly.
woke in the morning, still very dizzy, I'M
dressed and got into bed; slept straight
through till the next morning; woke with a
pale face, bioodshot eyes and dull pain In
the back of the head; felt like going to sleep
again. but conquered this and started out to
attend to my business for the day.
AS soon as this sickness passed off ]
longed TO smoke again, and did day or
two later.
This time did MT srnoIre "a ,,n,aoh Low