The Washington times., 1902-10-12
Casting a child's Horoscope

bargain. The Chinese c-z.-Ec-s t-.--
their fortune very seriously, and are
much interested In each turning out Of
the coins
On the opposite side to Yen Sen, an
other table is presided over by pale,
ntellectual-looking Chinese, who speaks
a little English, and who refuses abso-
lutely to tell your fortune at any price
unless you first assure him that you be-
lieve in him. II you should happen to
laugh it is all off-no fortune. His
method is very similar to that Of his
friend across the way. only he turns out
the coin in place of the customer.
Diviners Hard to Find.
The first method is the most popular,
but the diviner who works with this
outfit is to be found only at odd inter-
walls. When he requires little extra
money, out he comes with his table on
the sidewalk and is very soon sur
rounded by his own countrymen. For
period of perhaps week he will appear
every day at his old stand, then sud-
denly he will retire for weeks or
months. according to his financial needs.
The fish is on a sort Of dial, much like
mariners compass, and it acts as kind
of connecting link between the phenom
ena of the heavens and the regulations
of the earth, and the state of man in
his social and public relations. It is en-
circled by a wheel like diagram upon
which various symbols are marked.
The inner circle represents water. fire.
metal, wood, and earth. each one Of the
five being symbol OF the five planets
Venus. golden star; Jupiter, wood
star; Mercury, water star; Mars, fire,
and Saturn. earth" According to the
Chinese, the only correct models of hu-
man conduct and pursuit are five in
number, and they correspond in a man.
ner to the five planets. All the social.
political. and religious systems are reg
ulated by the influence of this ancient
belief. The fish, pointing to the vari
Gus points upon the several circles, and
to the figures and characters painted
thereon. give the clew to the diviner,
and his imagination and eloquence do
the rest. The fish fortune-teller is in
great demand when he appears. AS
his method requires more expensive
outfit and perhaps. too. the symbols are
a trifie more difficult to decipher, he
has no rival in Chinatown.
An Independent Old Seer.
On Spohord Alley. in a tiny room
about the size Of a pocket handkerchief
another fortune teller makes his home.
The sign painted on the door In red
paint is the most pretentious thing about
the place. This old fellow is singularly
he does not appear to care
much whether school keeps or not He
speaks fairly good English. but that ac-
complishment must be discovered by ac-
cident, for he generally replies with a
muffled no sabe'' to any stray question
However once induced to talk, he never
stops. and his 10 cents worth of fortune
is as imaginative and desirable as one
could wish. He informed me that he
charged 81 for the privilege of taking
his photograph, but as the idea i'm
pressed me humorously and l laughed, he
finally relented. laughed as though he,
too. enjoyed the absurdity of his de-
mand. then consented to pose just for
the honor.
Bartlett Alley has its special prophet,
who prefers the evening for his Office
hours. Weird enough Is the picture he
makes with the little tin lamp fastened
to the wall at his back. the flame flicker
ng like q will-o'.the -wisp through the