Washington sentinel., 1901-05-18
n -, SENTINEL
The pow
ODD THINGS IN erty OF
U China,
N7 7lNH saws Mrs

says Mrs
A. w. Wilson, in the Baltimore
San, is heart-bresking. While
some OF the immense fortunes OF
the globe are found there, yet such
abiect poverty 1 have not seen else
where. The patience and endur-
ance of the millions while hunger
aud cold stand at the door are
worthy Of note.
I know that almost zoo foreign
men, women and children and
thousands OF Christian Chinese
were slain by iniuriated mohs last
spring aud summer. there is a
seeming contradiction between my
statement of patience and the facts
ofthe past year. Yet it is true that
out OF the depths oi want there
comes a power of endurance that
is wonderful. In this power lies
one OF the dangers Of the present
situation-the more that it IS
coupled with a quiet resistance Of
nature, very difficult to combat.
Poverty leads to begging, which
in China is systematized. 1t is a
legitimate occupation, to which
men, women and children are
trained. There are guilds and Of
6cers, king, queen, treasurer, etc.
These reduce the organization into
working order, giving each MEM
Der his or her district. Thieves are
banded together in the same way,
and l have heard that neither these
nor the beggars eyer intrude upon
a comrades territory. Only tramps
invade another's rights. A tramp,
whether beggar or thief, is dis
honored.
BEGGARs INSIST ON PAYMENT,
Beggars collect at regular inter
walls, and woe betide the family or
business house that refuses the
small sum-but a "cash re
questedl It fact, it is useless to
deny the gift, for the entire body
in that vicinity would know how
to persecute the establishment for
so rash an action. The brother
hood would appear, iitV or a hun
dred strong, oil loathsome men and
women, nor would they leave until
double or treble the amount was
forthcoming. The law does not
hinder the fraternity.
The house where l spent the
winter was entered several times
and the losses were considerable.
think about the fifth time men,
Der OF the guild was consulted and
gave the clue.
The Chinaman has a curious
plan tor vengeance. He kills HIM
sell to spite his enemy. No injury
to Celestial is so great as when
the man he hates commits suicide,
Tor in the land Of ghosts the sui
eide may distress him as could not
be done in lite. Nothing can be
worse than the enmitY Of the dead.
Also i'll luck comes to the familY
where a visitor dies. A host makes
haste to send bis best friend home
At illness attacks him while his
guest The inns are reluctant to
~ H'--s N and even the
~''A g. .-ho IS sl5a-..sd Be
'-..-s a power for evil to the fam
Ily on whose premises he may hap
pen TO die.
A coffin is a most acceptable
present to the living. 1t is a gilt
to be cherished with pride, for now
the provision for death is beyond
a peradventuTe. In some parts oi
China the coffin is carried to the
home with great pomp, fine pro-
cessiou and music heralding the
caskets Tor the parents - one or
both. Sometimes fine speeches
are made, and the old people feel
honored, while the neighborhood
offers congratulations upon the
affection OF such dutiful children.
1t may be that years are before
the father and mother, but nothing
ever aiterward can mean so much
to them as this act OF devotion.
Henceiorth thIs last resting place
will be cared for, and absent
friends will be expected to sympa-
thize with the honest pride and
pleasure.
POVERTY BRINGS SUNDAY WORK.
have said before the mai rity
OF the Chinese are very poor-so
poor that Sunday is as much a
work DAY as any other It is some
times a question, when a man OF
woman becomes a Christian, what
provision shall be made Tor the
household on Sunday when a few
cash day are their only earnings.
The 10, IS or 20 cash earned
on Sunday Ia cash varies in valne
mostly requiring 10 or IL to make
one cent United States currency
are often all that stands between
the children and hunger. The hal
Of day Of rest from work means
nothing to eat for that time. Hence
the family OF the poor man car
have no social life. The entire
community is engaged in finding
work II at will yield few cash. I
the children should have a small
present theY cannot indulge II
cookies as our little ones do. The
bowl Of rice from the shop on tn,
corner is the need OF the hour.
TIREsOME ETIQUETTE.
Social life among the " ealthy il
hampered by conventionalitIes.
suppose the men may and do NEE
together without let or hindrancs
but l have been told that the for
malities are so cumbersome tina
l.-re ir ,uasfad ON minis Of Ell