The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-03-27
CHINESE NEW YEARS DAY.
An Important Event Among the CeIes-
tials in America

An Important Event Among the CeIes-
tials in America.
To ''tenderfoot' in California this
festival is one of great interest. Can
you imagine quiet American town
suddenly dropping into another world?
Such was my impression on the last
Chinese New Year, the 10th of Feb
ruary. All the day and night before
gongs and cymbals banged in a terrible
clatter, and huge serpent made of fire.
crackers twined around pole was set
up in the center of the town. Now and
then huge crackers would burst, and
then the noise was insrfferable. I
asked what it all meant, and ''boy"
told me (Chinamen are all boys) 'That
the devil we keep him away for whole
year, burn him up, and make noise to
to scare him." and indeed don't blame
the devil for being scared. Surely fire
and birthstone could not be worse than
the sitting smell of powder, opium and
burning sandal wood
0, how bright was that strange sum-
merry New Year morning, and scarcely
could the sun shine brighter than the
faces of those children of the Flowerv
kingdom. Freshly shaver and in their
best, frocks of lavender. pink and green
brocades, with little black satin caps
with red button on top, they formed
charming contrast to the swarms of
dirty, ragged Mexicans that loafed
around on all sides. My landlady would
hardly agree with my enthusiasm in the
festive week for joy. Yuen or Hop Yong
is very sure to bid you a fond farewell
for that length of time with never "by
your leave"
After the dressing comes the spread
ing of the sacred table" Choice pic
lures of Chinese gods and holy men are
hung, and under them is put a table,
often of ebony, handsomely carved,
covered with crimson cloth embroid-
cred with gold, silver and rich colors,
two or three feet deep, according to the
wealth of the proprietor. Then trays
or boxes are set in thee center, filed
with confections Do not turn up your
nose, they are delicious-limes cooked in
sugar till crystalized: candied cocoanut
cut in long curling strips, faly and white;
nuts that have soft brittle shells and a
prune-like substance inside; and nuts
looking like horns, that are very good.
Back of this is pile of Chinese oranges
similar to grape fruit and all pulp; these
are to look at; huge pears and the betel
nut and leaf which they chew. On the
side are plates of fiaky substance
crystallized, which has no American
name, and tastes like soaked chips On
each table is taper or incense burning
and chips of sandal wood seeming the
whole room. Under the cloth are
placed the cards, written on long strips
of red paper folded in the center and
then folded again together, which read,
Santa Barbara, Wah Hing, Happy
New Year These preparations are
made very early and by the time we ar
rive John" stands ready with an ex-
preston that is ''childlike and bland'
to play the part of host and let all who
come taste of his goodies. We go in
with a smile, and Gin zee fa choy." or
Happy New Year, grow rich, keep
young"
Alas! Unjust I say it?) the Cinnamon
were often more gentlemanly and pa
tient, and generous. Such pushing,
nudging and scrambling, l never have
seen in Chinese crowd. Do you blame
the poor priest in the door of the Joss
for saying, mo, you belly Tough; you
spoil the spread; you break the things.
No, you cannot come IN to some peo-
pie that were pushing him one side.
Then turning to me, he said, so, so
belly tired; hit him gong all day, all
nirhf onH SlaayN OF oil FThny, 10
so Tough" (rough.) He took me to see
the gods with the offerings placed be-
fore them: chicken, barbecued pig,
flowers, money, paper and incense, all
to be taken away that night and the
food eaten by the holy men. The China
men all knew me as having taught in
the school and were very kind. They
brought out preserved ginger and other
choice goodies for our party.
After going well over the town we
went to the missions. Here the tables
were set with goodies in the same way
as the heather Chinee's" but they had
no incense or pictures of the gods. AS
you enter, if you have visited there before
and are a favorite, they will rush upon
you with, you like my card? You give
me your card? Happy New Year"
Then the goodies are passed and if you
have a particular admirer in the crowd
perhaps bag of nuts and candies is
thrust surreptitiously into your hand
with, Heap good; you likee.' Then
they sing gospel hymns, and if they
seem hoarse, and to feel anxiously for a
note, and you kindly remark, Are you
not tired? You have been singing so
long" the reply comes, so, no, no, I'm
not tired this happy New Year day.
Tomorrow I'll be tired"
This is their only holiday, and why
should we begrudge it to them when
they work so faithfully and patiently
until the next one comes.-J. +. Hanna,
in American Agriculturist.
How He Got Even,