The National tribune., 1894-05-24
IN THE SLUMS.
Chinese Degradation as Seen in New York
Streets.


Chinese Degradation as Seen in New York
Streets.
By Leaore Sherwood Marble
Besides nv journalistic friend, there were
four Western women in our party. Our escort
walked ahead and we followed by twos, almost
tramping on / is heels st every step. in order
to identify ourselves with him. The walk
down the Bowery was uneventtui. We met
the usual number of drunken men and gaudi!y-
dressed women. and the full quote OF Germans,
Poles and Russian Jews.
Peel. Mott and Doyer streets. the Chinese
quarters were alive with Cinnamon. swarming
in groups and walking in single file along the
streets They always walk alone, and nobody
seems 10 talk TO his neighbor.
We followed the sound of what seemed to be
section of Midway Plaissnce. There was
that same endless din of Oriental music. We
soon found the noise came from the Chinese
theater little tumble-down brick building in
one of the peculiar crooks and turns of Doyer
street.
A CHINESE THEATER.
The theater was crowded, but we found
places to stand in the very back Of the hail.
1t was a strange gathering, not white face in
the whole audience; not a single woman
among the dusky assemblage. 1t was singular
TO see couple of hundred faces all alike, all
dressed alike with 200 hats just alike.
There was no noise no applause, no motion
in all the audience. 1t was all deadly still,
with an oveFpowering odor of opium thai made
my head dizzy aud my senses dull and stupid.
What was the play all about" we asked
each other.
II will tell you, maums," replied the only
white face in the row in front of US, whom we
had not observed before. He was nce-look-
ing boy of Is and we were surprised at his
knowledge of the language, as he interpreted
the play.
BE explained that the Chinese was the Oldest
school of acting in the world and that there
had been very little changes and developments
within the past 400 years. The play lasted six
weeks, and was like book, with one chapter
added every night.
1t was all so primitive. or simple There
was the rich old father with wig and long
beard his disobedient daughter in love with a
poor man, instead OF q rich man, her fathers
choice.
There was heated discussion between the
father and the poor sutton. in which the father
was killed. Then the undertaken came in and
carried off the corpse, while the orchestra
dinned minor chords.
Finally the Emperor appeared and arrested
the murderer, and the chapter was finished.
THE OPIUM HABIT.
As the audience were leaving the hall. we
drew our young interpreter aside and ques-
toned him. His mother had been Christian
missionary his father a Chinaman. Both were
his life. coming to this country with them six
years ago.
why is it we see no women, only menu" 1
asked.
"0h, you know, there are only eight Chinese
women in all New York. and their white women
are always hidden. They never associate with
women. Why, a woman 10 them is no better
than dog" was the answer.
We inquired about their opium dens, and he
assured US that since the DIR. Parkhurst raids
they had all been wiped out. and that to his
positive knowledge there was not one in New
York. He continued to say that opium smok-
ing was as prevalent as ever, but that it was
now a solitary vice and carried on secretly.
81 would like TO see opium smoking. What
is it like?" asked.
Why. can show you, he eagerly reioined.
=" smoke; l would die without il. / have
smoked ever since my mother died. ] cannot
overcome the habit. / have not smoked for
three days. and the pangs arc commencing 10
come upon me. 1t is horrible"
Poor boy. only Is years old and a slave to this
cursed habit fine-looking boy too with
refined face and intelligent, honest eyes.
Come with me, and / will show you how
opium is smoked, only you must swear not to
give me away 10 my people,"
We followed him down to the corner and
gave him a dollar 10 buy opium, the least guam
tity he could procure. There was policeman
on the corner, 70 whom the boy spoke. I" He
will guarantee my return" ne said, and tell
you that an honest"
We had long talk with the officer. who con-
frmed everything the lad told US. and who
seemed TO be very fond of him.
BE is good boy, only slave to opium, and
he is going TO pieces as fast as be eau, poor
devil"
We followed the boy down Oliver street. a
dark, crooked street. lined with dirty, low
houses, and stopped in front of rickety tene-
ment house.
A SPECIMEN OPIUM DEN
Wait here moment" he said. "and will
see If all is clear" He beckoned to u.s. and we
followed him through long unlighted hall,
and stumbles up four rickety flights of stairs,
with only the light from an occasiona! match
to show Us the way.
ran against some one in the third hall and
struck match, only 70 peer into the faces of
two OF the handsomest looking men New York
affords. IN moment it was dark What did
it mean? Simply that these two men were
opium smokers, and had a room in this build
ing. where they could come and smoke undis-
turbed aud unsuspected.
will never forget that awful climb up those
dark, steep stairs, and the poor boys little bar
ren room. There was nothing in it bot a low
cot covered with an old ragged quilt.
de prepared his opium. arranged his compli-
Gated pipe, recined on his cot, and in moment
the room was dense with the fumes
am deathly sick; must 60" said /
rushed 70 the door, opened a window on the
stair landing and waited for my party.
FAIR OPIUM VICTIM
l heard footsteps on the stairs and peered
over the dark banisters. There was some one
coming up the stairs with a candle Ii was a
woman dressed in white, with fresh, clean
skirts and nicely combed hair. She passed m G
and knocked at the boys door
" For Gods sake let me in, Harry; I smelled
your smoke; am dying with cramps"
We left her in the room with the pipe and
went down into the street. She was but an
other victim of the vice and had sacrificed her
life 10 crafty this weakness-yes, her very
soul, as the boy told us.
FnITnRsS CHAT