River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-08-02
CHINAMEN AT Home
Their Methods of Business, the Way They
Work and How Thewrsva


think | promised to give you some
Of the Chinese characteristics from a
business point OF view. One rigidly
enforced law or custom of Celestials
might be, with good results. incorpor-
ated into the usages of all nations. It
IS the payment OF an Indebtedness at
the close of the year, and / am sure it
must add to the enjoyment of the weeks
holiday that welcomes in the new year,
during which all business is suspended
and fsstiyity reigns supreme.
Whether these people arc indeed the
descendants OF the..'lost tribes, or not,
they have some of the traits Of the
Israelites found in other lands. Their
distinct national peculiarities. as well
as their ability to drive sharp bargains,
makes Chinaman's personality as dis
tinct as that of the jew Perhaps
nothing better can illustrate the BUSH
ness methods OF the country than some
unique experience in building house
on the American plan.
just before the debt-paying period
was favorable time 10 purchase ma
terials. The brick was bought at a less
price than the same quality sell for at
home. The wood used foN building
comes down the Pel-Ho in logs and is
deposited in log yard, and for time
time our yard wa. a lively scene of
donkey carts unloading brick and saw
yers cutting the logs into plank, scant-
ling and joists.
Our compredore Ohe middle-man who
talks pigeon English" and does the
bargaining) had tussle with the car
rying guild" He tried to use men out
of this class 10 bring the logs, but the
union men attacked them with clubs.
and we were obliged to use the guild
carriers.
also had ''racket" with the saw
yers for attempting to cheat in their
measurement, and they laid off for sew
eral days. They finally agreed to
measure according to foreign custom,
and the work is done more satisfactorily
than it would have been at the mill.
There is but one in this region, and that
is an English machine and does inferior
work.
Three gangs Of men are now busy
hauling dirt to fill in the low places and
we soon expec to a cart to y for sand from
the coast and another from the interior.
Our Oregon lumber viii come soon.
There was not time after my order
reached Vancouver to have the doors
and sash made in time for shipment.
Finding that they would have to be
made here, / sent for the carpenter to
come TO my Office and made him un-
derstand that / wanted him to make a
draft OF a door. With a little he p he
did so correctly, and was much pleased
when l told him to make a door, which
when done was so wOrkmanlike that |
am glad that the work is to be done
here at a less cost and a better job. He
has made a desk for me that many a
skilled mechanic could not improve up
on, and he enjoys my commentator
highly.
The Chinese have very little original
ity but are very observing and careful
imitators. What they learn they know
thoroughly, but they are not as house
servants wholly trustworthy, and need
to feel that you are watching them.
They succeed best with but few conven-
fences, a small kitchen and things in
their own way. With the poorest kind
of a coolting-stove, and with a single
boiling place, a cook will prepare a sur
prisiup number of courses and serve
them all hot.
There are plenty of meat shops in
flemish, and fruits and vegetables can
be bought at moderate prices, but for
all ordinary groceries we must send 70
Boston, San Francisco. or some Eu-
ropean city, ard order years supply.
Tea, of course, is abundant and cheap,
and of fine quality, though one would
better not watch too closely the curing
and packin. of it for market Cor.
Cleee3d7d I,GGer