The Dickinson press., 1894-12-29
New Year In Japan.

New Year In Japan.
diamonds upon him, and his sole dress
was these and a silver belt. He was
about d years old, and he was smok-
ing q cigarette. There were lots of
pretty Siamese girls, many of whom
wire silk waist cloths, and through
the crowd came a number Of Siamese
debtors will, chains about their legs.
They were going to work. and they
were not allowed to take part in the
festivities. The celebration took place
In a great court leu the city market
Of Bangkok. We waited about three
hours before we heard the procession
Then a noise arose like that of q
thousand dogs with tin ms tied to
their tails rattling over the stoniest of
streets, and q moment later we saw
about 1000 naked legs carrying 1000
balf-naked Siamesc. who carried ban
ners and escorted q wrinkled old
prince and their king. This old king
was as black as the ace Of spades and
his under jaw was no thicker than
your finger. He was dressed in gold
and silver clothing and he had a crown
on his head that locked like a pyra-
mid of ice cream. The people cheered
him as he came up. and he stopped in
front Of u party and wagged his thin
lower jaw at the governor, saying
something that ! conld not understand.
Right near here there was IL great
swing fastened to Il beam across two
poles about 100 feet high. From the
top of this beam the ropes holding the
swing were hung. and on the board at
its foot four naked Siamcse stood. A
purse Of money was tied to a long
bamboo fishing pole and fastened to
one Of the u%pri%l.ts. so that the money
hung about thirty feet out from the
swing. The pole was so bent that the
bag of money hung uuivering from the
topmost point, far out to tile side OF
tie swingers. The feat a for them
was moving. They first knelt down
up and down upon the swing until
they swung themselves high UP in the
air and nearer AID nearer the money.
At last one of them reached it. Ac.
cording to rules bc had to bite it Off
with his teeth and hold the money in
his mouth until the swing stopped.
This is no easy feat, and the people
went wild. Then other four men took
their places on the swing. and more
money was put UP, and SO it went on.
! was not able to learn Just what it
meant, but l was told that it was
semi-religious in character and that it
came from the Eralmins.
Queer Chinese Custo,ns.
The Chinese New Var festivities
often last fer three weeks. The pco-
pie prepare for them, and the last
days Of the old year are the busiest.
Everyone wants money. and the store
keepers r getting ready for their
annual settlement. All debts are ex-
pected to be paid ut the end Of the old
year. and everyone figures up his ac-
counts. The women celebrate the oc-
casi6h by cleaning house. The floors
are washed. the chairs are covered
with red cloth, ana strips of red pa
per marked with lanes Of good for
tune, wealth and happiness are pasted
outside the front doors. The last Of
the old year is celebrated with u feast
and On the last night the little boys Of
Ghira ~" ~"t til" strcots yellino out
good resolutions. One Of their cries II
that they will sell their folly and
their lazy habits to anyone who will
buy, III order that they may be Wiser
next year. On the last day Of the old
year the Chinese pray before their an
cestral tablets. They go out to the
graves and they worship the gods In
the temples. They fire off firecrackers
to scare OFF the bad spirits and New
Years night in China is a good deal
worse than it is in America. New
Year morning finds all the shops clos
ed. The day is devoted TO calling and
visiting. Presents are given. The la
dies visit ~ another and carry gifts
Of candy. AS 500 as they come III
each guest is served wirll Il cup Of tea