The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-05

buy every little garden patch in his ma
tive province and still have enough to
burn out all the punk sticks that China
town could import.
During these years the influence Of
Chin Tan Sun had been increasing until
II made itself felt with respect and fear,
not only in the Asiatic quarter, but be-
yond its limits. He was a member of
the Chinese Six Companies. He was
one of a trio at the touch of whose yell
low fingers the fortunes of their coun-
trymen were nodded, made and I'M
made. These three were Big Jim, Lit
tie Pete and Chang Chung big Jim"
was now the name by which Chin Tan
Sun was known throughout San Fran
cisco. The lQnglegged lad from the
Orient had grown into some six feet OF
worry good looking smooth-shayen
Chinaman, better proportional than the
majority of the Chinese. In business
matters he was regarded as the soul Of
honor. Said man who knew him well:
IF Big Jim were 20 tell me that he
would meet me at a certain place with
in the hour 10 pay me $4,000 in coin
would know that he would be there II
he were alive
When Big Jim was starting one of his
fruit canneries he went downtown and
negotiated with firm for $4,000 in ma
supplies TO be shipped az once.
What security have you to offer?"
asked the white merchant.
Bis Jim drew himself up with scorn.
Il have no security to offer" he re-
rled. Il have money. l want credit
of no man" From his pocket he drew
a wallet. out of which he counted the
$4,000 in gold notes and the trifing Incl
dent of purchase was closed.
Big Jim Town, a Chinese settlement
near San Jose, was at one time owned
by Chin. He also has ranches scattered
over the state. and contemplates start
ing a steamship line along the Chinese
coast. His wealth is declared TO reach
the multi-millonaire mark. A rich
Chinaman lives his allotted time. His
sons inherit his wealth. and they do not
abuse the trust. Obeying the commands
Of Confucius, they must pay all and any
debts contracted by the father, but the
father is not liable>for debts contracted
by his sons A fch Chnaman attends
banquets. where he drinks samsbu and
eats birds nests, sharks fins, seaweed
and Other impossible delicacies near to
the Chinese palate. He attends the con-
tinuous performance. theaters. He en-
ploys several Wallets to care for his ward
robe, which is magnificent. Sometimes
he is so fastidious that he has three
sets of coats and trousers embroidered
in the same flower-rich display OF buds
for morning. blossoms for the afternoon
and full-blown flowers for evening. In
cdeEtally he acquires harem. Such
are the opportunities improved by Chin
Tan Sun-not excepting the harem.
And what OF the white wife7 She Is
the white wife still She is living in
Chinatown in her own establishment
provided with money and servants in
plenty. She has never borne any chill
dren by her husband. The calamity Is
paramount to all others in Chinese eyes
Corfucius has established a law that
each family must have sons to per-
petuate It's name. So a wife who is
childless gives her consent to the taking
Of other wives, who, however. are not
recognized as such, for her place is
never usurped officially. The number Of
concubines is optional with her master.
The children of these women address
the childless wife as mother" For their
own mothers they have only pet name.
The second wife" OF Chin returned re-
Gently from n visit TO China. She ma.
two fine sons, Of which the father Is
exceedingly proud. And the women OF
Chins harem dwell together In such
peace as passeth che American feminine
understanding.
Every one remembers the killing OF