The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-19
A CELESTIAL'S PARADISE.
Newspaper Reporter Watches n Chi
naman Enter Dreamland.

Few people in this city are aware that
those who are inclined toward the dope
pipe'' may have their cravings satisfied
without journeying to the opium dens Of
Chicago. In fact, an enterprising Chinese
laundryman on Indiana avenue Is in posi-
ton to furnish his customers the real thing
in pipe Dreams"
A Journal reporter was informed yester-
day that such an institution was in opera
ton in this city and, under the guidance of
a Bohemian friend, he decided to see how
the Celestials go about transporting them
selves to the land Of fantastic dreams.
The room to which the Bohemian escorted
him was about what the regular visitor to
a Chinese laundry is accustomed to. 1t
lacked the siIken hangings with which nov
elists have always endowed opium joints,
while Oriental divans and luxurious couches
were altogether missing. The only thing
perceptible above others was musty smell
mixed with the peculiar acrid odOr of
opium. Light was below par, and what little
alcohol lamp which stood on a rough table,
the legs of which had been sawed off to
convenient height for the accommodation
OF person lying down on the two hard
Altogether, there was nothing about the
place that would appeal to any one, except
those interested in the little tin can about
the size of those in which condensed milk
is sold. The lid Of this was off, displaying
dark brown substance resembling pitch.
When touched to the tongue it left a bitter
taste but the one Chinaman who was pre-
pairing to enjoy prolonged siesta with the
help of his pipe looked on it longingly.
do you want to a pipe fiend burn his
pill?" the reporter was asked
The latter confessed that he did. in view
of the fact that burning a pill had become
a colloquial term in newspaper parlance.
oil hEr1 NlfA1 rrrtt1 ts..c,t
Sleep
The Chinaman went about his work very
instrument, which looked like a knitting
needle, and, dipped ii into the sticky sub
stance stance in the can before him. Slowly he
turned IT around and around, gathering
more of the substance at each turn, until he
had ball about the size. of a hazel nut
hanging S to his needle Then still turning
over the alcohol lamp to cook. At first there
was violent suffering and a strong, un-
pleasant smell ,9 filled the room The stolid
kept industriously turning his pill until the
suffering finally stopped. Frequently he
hard and dry enough to smoke, and finally
after about fifteen minutes cooking. he
thought it done. Taking the needle in one
other. The pipe was a curiosity in itself
1t had a stem about eighteen inches long
and about an inch thick. At the bottom
lHClC was q SlIidH metal DOWl ABOUT large
enough for man to insert the tip of his
forefinger into. Slowly the Chinaman insert
ed the pill into the BOWL still keeping il
on the needle Then he gave II the last
test to see If 1t was done by pressing il
down and then trying TO extract the needle
Tor II the needle sticks TO the opium the
pipe hend knows the material is not ready
for use. In this instance the Chinaman
had UNDERGONE his pill for when he sought
TO extract his needle the pill came with it,
and he mutter1d few curses in Chinese.
There was no frOwn on his faca hnwavar
as he patiently turned once more to the
alcohol lamp TO give the pill another broil-
ing. After few minutes he tried il again.
and this time IL stuck. The rest of IL wa :
simple. He lay down at full length and
holding 1t over the flame, began to pufr'
FOR time the reporter wondered what was
becoming of all the smoke for he took
fully a dozen puffs without any smoke being
expelled; Finally. closing his eyes he re.
the smoke to escape from his lungs. He had
inhaled all of 1t.
The last of 1t had not escaped before tbe
pipe was again in his mouth and the opera
ton was repeated. Not sound escaned
him and nothing but the glitter of his small
eyes told that was conscious
Being informed in advance that sit would
take lot TO put him TO Sleep the re-
porter was anxious to know how many doses
the Chinaman would take before his hopes
would be realized, and he decided 10 pur
How many pills will ii take to put Won
to sleep. John?" he asked
Ten, replied the Chinaman. withou,
turning his head or losing a puff. Their
with. chuckle, he added: Two 'nuff for
YOU" All