The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-21

TWENTY-FIVE cents. according to the
way the willy diviner judges your
financial worth and your good nature.
If you should inquire the price and find
it to be thirty cents, you answer. IAN
right; 1 will taken ten cents worth"
and your offer will be Immediately ac-
cepted. Many times, just in admira-
ton of your business-like qualities in
suggesting a cut in price, you will in
all probability hear a better fortune
than YOU would have otherwise, The
average Chinaman win double the
price of anything for an American,
but his respect is considerably in
fee as a Chinaman would.
The price being settled, the Gus
toner is given the three coins and, the
tortoise shell, upon which he must
rap three times. The diviper then
lights a punk at one side of the table,
takes up his brush, and proceeds to
business. The customer must next
place the coins inside the shell.
shake them, then turn them out
on felt mat provided for
the purpose. This is repeated
six times, the revealer writing on the
tin slate with each turning out of the
coins
The customer must then ask what
he wants to know. A Chinaman will
say Subject, marriage" or Subject,
travel" or whatever the matter may
be. A long prayer, similar to the Of
fering of Wong, follows. Then, if from
the usual group of Chinese who are
attracted an interpreter is developed,
you will very likely hear long string
of fortune, generally all sunshine, for
the heather Chinee" is a Christian in
way, and he likes to send his Gus
toners away feeling happy If no in
an hae -
he can, that there is heap luck"
counting on his fingers just how many
days of luck you may look for. Mex
month, strong moneystrong joy-ebly
ting heap good, allie same clatchem lot
tley, maby you go him journey" etc,
and the Volley of good fortune is con-
tinued until you are satisfied with your
bargain, or some other custimer APP
pears on the scene. The Chinese take
their fortunes" very seriously, and
are much interested in the turning of
the coins.
On the side opposite to Yen Sen, an
other table is presided over by a pale,
intellectual looking Chinaman who
speaks a little English. and who re-
fuses absolutely to tell your fortune
at any price unless you first assure
him that you believe in him. If you
should happen to laugh it is all off
ilO AOl luis
Models of Human Conduct.
The fish method of divining the flu
ture is the most popular. but the di-
viner who works this outfit is TO be
found only at odd intervals. When
he requires a little extra money, out
he comes with his table on the side
walk and is very soon surrounded by
his own countrymen. For a period of
perhaps a week he will appear every
day at his old stand, then suddenly
he will retire for weeks or months, ac-
cording to his financial needs. The
fish is on a dial, much like a mariners
compass, and it acts as kind of con-
Meeting link between the phenomena
of the heavens and the regulations of
the earth. 1t is encircled by a wheel
like diagram, upon which various sym
bols are marked. The inner circle
represents water, fire, metal, wood and
earth, each of the five being a symbol
of the fine planets According to the
Chinese the only correct models of hu-
man conduct and pursuit are five, and
they correspond to the fine planets. All
the social, political and religious sys-
TENS are regulated by the influence of
this ancient belief. The flesh pointing
to the various points upon the several
circles, and to the figures and charac-
tiers painted thereon, gives the clue to
the diviner and his imagination and
eloquence do the rest.
In most of the Joss houses divina-
ton is made by reeds carved and paint
ed in symbols, the Interpretation of
which discloses the mysteries of life.
But of all the various methods used
by the numerous OWNERS, the fortunes
told depend largely upon the shrewd-
ness, intellect, good nature and humor-
Gus disposition of the fortune teller.
However, it is all highly amusing to
any one with an eye for color, sinse
of the ridiculous, and a disposition to
study the characteristics of the quaint
Oriental folk.