The Osceola times., 1888-08-04
6HlNAMEN AT HOME,
fAsar Methods % Business, the way ftsS
Work and How They Live:


Work and How They Live:
think promised to give you soma
Of the Chinese characteristics from q
business point OF view. One rigidly
enforced law or custom ~ CelestialA
nigh, be, with good results, incorpor-
ated into the usages OF all nations. II
is the payment OF an indebtedness at
the close OF the year, and | am sure IL
must add to the enjoyment of the week
holiday that welcomes In the new year,
during which all business is suspended
and festivity rcigns supreme.
Whether these people are indeed the
descendants of the ''lost tribes" or not,
they have some Of the traits bf the
lsiaeiites found in other lands. Their
distinct national peculiarities, AS well
ns their ability TO drive sharp bargains,
makes a Chinaman's personality ms dis
tinct IA that Of the jew. Perhaps
nothing better can illustrate the busi-
ness methods of the country than some
unique experience in building a house
on the American plan.
just before the debt-paying period
was d favorable time TO purchase ma.
terials, The brick was bought at h less
price than the same quality sell for at
home. The wood used for building
comes down the Pel-Ho in logs and is
deposited in a log yard, and for a time
time our yard was lively scene OF
donkey carts unloading brick and saw'
yers cutting the logs into plank, scant'
ling and joists.
Our compredore (the middle-man who
talks "pigcon English" and does the
bargaining) had a tussle with the scar
rying guild" He tried TO usc mon out
Of this class 10 bring the logs, but tho
iinion men attacked them with clubs,
and we were obliged to use the guild
carriers.
also had ''racket" with the saw
ycrs for attempting TO cheat in their
measurement, ind they laid of 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
u 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 expcc to a cart tgo for sand from
the coast and another from the interior.
Our Oregon lumber will come soon.
There was not time after my order
reached Vancouver 10 have the doors
Ind 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.
dorstand that wanted him tn make q
draft Of door. With little help he
did so correctly, and was much pleased
when told him to make "a door, which
when done was so workmanlike that
am glad that the work is to be done
here at less cost and a better job. He
has made desk for me that many q
skilled mechanic could not improve up.
on, and he enjoys my commendation
highly.
The Chinese have very little original.
nv 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 c0nvcn'
iences, q small kitchen and things in
their own way. With the poorest kind
of cooking-stove, and with single
boiling place. cook will prepare sur
prising number Of courses, and serve
them all hot.
There are plenty Of meat shops in
Tien-tsin, and fruits and vegetables can
be bought at moderate prices, but for
all ordinary groceries we must send to
Boston, San Francisco, or some Eur
ropean city, and 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 packing Of II for market.
Cleveland Louder.