Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-05-01
CHINESE NEW YEARS DAY.
An Important Event Among the Celes.
tials in America.

CHINESE NEW YEARS DAY.
An Important Event Among the Celes-
tials In America.
To a 'tenderfoot" in California this
festival is one of great interest. Can
you imagine quiet American town
suddenly dropping into another worldp
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 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 insufferable. 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.
o, 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 Flowery
kingdom. Freshly shaven 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 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 a 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 thea center, filled
with confections. Do not turn up youl
nose, they are delicious--limes cooked in
sugar till crystalized; candied cocoanut
cut in long curling strips, faky and white
nuts that have soft brittle shells and q
prune-like substance inside; and nuts
looking like horns, that are very good
Back of this is a pile of Chinese oranges
similar to grape fruit and all pulp; these
are to look at; huge pears and the bette
nut and leaf which they chew. On the
side are plates of faky substance
crystallized, which has no American
name, and tastes like soaked chips. Or
each table is taper or incense burning
and chips of sandal wood scenting tn,
whole room. Under the cloth ar,
placed the cards. written on long strip
of red paper folded in the center ant
then folded again together, which read
Santa Barbara, Wah Hing, Happy
New Year" These preparatiezs ar,
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 VIII,
come taste of his goodies. We go il
with smile, and 'Gin zee ia choy," o.
Happy New Year, grow rich, keel
young"
Alas! Unjust / say it?) the Chinamel
were often more gentlemanly and pa
tient, and generous. Such pushing
nudging and scrambling, l never hav
seen in Chinese crowd. Do you blam
the poor priest in the door of the jos
for saying, mo, you belly lough; yo,
spoil the spread you break the things
No, you cannot come mi" to some pee
pie that were pushing him one side
Then turning to me, he said, 20, S
belly tired; hit him gong all day, al
night, and no sleep at all Then the,
so Tough" (rough) He took me to Sc
, the gods with the offerings placed be
fore then; chicken, barbecued pig
flowers, money, paper and incense, al
to be taken away that night and tn
food eaten by the holy men. The China
men all knew me as having taught i
the school and were very kind. The
brought out preserved ginger and othe
! ! choice goodies for our party.
After going well over the town w
went to the missions. Here the table
|. were set with goodies in the same wa
as the ''heathen Chinee's" but they ha
no incense or pictures of the gods. A
you enter, if you have visited there befor
7 and are favorite, they will rush upo
you with, "You like my card? You Civ
me your card? Happy New Year.
! Then the goodies are passed and If 20
have a particular admirer in the crow
perhaps bag Of nuts and candies
thrust surreptitiously into your han
> with, Heap good; you likeel' The
they sing gospel hymns, and if the
seem hoarse, and to feel anxiously for
: note, and you kindly remark, "Are yo
: not tired? You have been singing S
/ long" the reply comes, 80, no, no, II
, not tired this happy New Year day
Tomorrow I'll be tired"
This is their only holiday, and VIII
!, should we begrudge it to them whe
they work SO faithfully and patientl
until the next one comes.-J. L. Ham,
in American Agriculturist.
n How He Got Even.
|. Clara-Mister Smith is in the parlo