The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-11-23

even greater than expected when I did get
there, and the surprises came so thick and
fast that | haven't recovered from them yet.
The house is situated at 927 Washington
street, in the rear, and is approached by
long, narrow covered passageway, which
leads into small garden.
In the center is the house, an unpreten-
tious two-st0rv cottage, In good repair, the
steps and porch being enliyened with
plants OF various kinds in pots and boxes.
When we entered I was ushered into a
coy little parlOr furnished in the best Of
taste, with nice. easy, comfortable chairs to
rest in. On the walls hung a number Of
pretty photographs and one OF two oil paint
ings. while here and there wedged in be-
tween the pictures were various knIck-
knacks and ornaments.
After being offered a chair my guide
left me, saying be would call his wife.
then had a chance to look around me.
and found that everything In the room
bore the unmlstakable signs Of refine
ment and had nothing to make any one be-
lieve it the home OF Chinese family.
Against the wall at the back part of the
room stood an upright piano, on the top of
which rested French horn and either,
while by the side of these large pile Of
music and photographs was to be seen.
Next to the piano stood O com bIDation
library and specimen case IN VIII eh on the
lower shelves was goodly array OF books.
while the upper part was devoted to some
beautiful specimens of California birds,
which l found out afterward had all been
shot by the master of the house. as he is a
great lover of field sport.
Before l had quite finished my review the
nj RI
Mr.. Tape presented me to his wife and the
rest Of the family who came in to see what
reporter looked like.
Mrs Tape received me In the most charm
Ing way and babe me welcome to her house.
We do not wish to get any newspaper
fame" she said, "but If you think II will be
of interest to your readers to hear about my
studeslin photography l shall only be to
happy to tell you all about il, and also about
myself and how L came 10 take Ii up."
This was all said in the best OF English.
and with refined accent, showing that
Mrs. Tape must have devoted the greater
part OK her life to study, and as we talked
on further l found that not only wa. she
extremely well yersed in the ordinary lines
oil the English language. but was also well
posted on the current events of the day.
After We were seated took look at nv
new-made friends and found that, although
they had the features and forms of the
Chinese race, everything else about them
was thoroughly American.
Mrs. Tape, whom took to- be about 35
years old, was dressed in gown of soft
elinging silk or some Indian stuff which set
off her figure TO good feet. Her hair was
arranged in the latest American fasno q
and was as black and glossy as ever graced
- ,Ao1. ,c,o
Her face was comely. one might even say
pretty, because il had SO much intelligence
and was set off by fine mouth, behind
which were a set of peariy teeth that
showed whenever she laughed.
The children were fine healthy lot and
all Of them good-looking. taking after the T
mother ia most respects.
There were tour OK them-one boy and
three girls-the eldest, named Mamie, the
second Frank, and the third Emily, while
the youngest was 4 baby three years old,
whose name / have forgotten. but remem-
Der 1t was a very pretty one.
After they had been presented in order
and bad answered my salutations in charm
Ing language. l turned to Mrs. Tape and
asked her how 1t was that her child ZEN
spoke such good English.
mo doubt you are surprised" was her
reply. "but You will not be SO when you
hear short history OF my life.
81 was born in the northern part OF China,
near Shanghai, from which place few
Chinese ever come to this country.
II arrived here when IL years Of age, and
have not much recollection OF the first few
months of my residence here. except that
lived somew here In Chinatown.
'Ths only lasted five months, and then I
was taken up by the Ladies' Relief Society,
cut on Franklin street. and IL was there
under their care that first learned to speak
the English language and acquire American
manners.
~ staid with them five years or moro and
then met my husband. and we were married
after a six months courtship." Looking
up with happy smile she continued: I'VE
have never had cause 20 regret our first
meeting, either, as our lives have been very
happy.
'.Slncc that time we have always lived as
Americans, and our children have been
brought up TO consider themselves as SUCH
''Tbeir education in the.common branches
has been gained at the Chinese public
school on Clay street and their other ac-
complishments by private tn ors. Each OF
them has some accomplishment and my