Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1904-12-30
the shops are all closed for ono or tw,

the shops are all closed for one or tw,
weeks for il Is unlucky to do business
during the birth OF the new year (excep
at tie back door-but don't say any
thing about this).
Then, too, We Americans could wall
along the streets for once in the yea
feeling sure that nobody would curs'
us, or call us foreign DEVILS" for 1t Y
unlucky to use that bad word at such
happy time Dear me, how wish that
New Years would last IL months!
But the first day has come, and the lit
tie Chinese children get ready to enjoy
1t for all 1t Is worth. They are dressed
In their best and gaudlest clothes, Which
are only worn on this occasion, The
father has got from the pawn shop hi
finest silk COWS, which that ohllginc
relative has taken good care Of curing
the past IL months, and, thus splendidlI
atti:ed, the proud father and his Iittlt
| boys start out on a little visiting trip
to his relatives and friends, to ''Kune
HI, Fab Tsoi, wish them happy new
year and many riches.
What" you say, dent the little girls
go. too?"
No. they must stay at home, because
the little girl is not so important as he!
brother, and, besides, she would have
difficulty in walking far In her tiny
golden lily" shoes, which Go not meas.
ure more than three inches in 'ength.
But what day it is for the little boy!
lie has already eot his first sent
when Santa Claus, that Is to say, he
boys father (sama thing, you see. in
this country, gave him little string Of
copper cash tied on red cord; for 1t Is
unlucky to start the New Year without
any money in your pocket, and that is
something both you ard | agree with
isn't Il?
But our little Chinese boy could never
carry homo all the money that is given
to him. for 1t is the custom for every one
whom he visits to give him presents OF
money, as well as candy and cakes. OF
course, the father takes charge of THU
Il mean the money-and have often
wondered if his little son ever sees his
money presents again. really think
that little Chimes hoy must be a good
investment fer his father on New Years
Day in China.
But the visiting is soon over, and Their
the little Chinaman is off, sometime:
with his sister, to see the sights IN The
streets. They look at the peep show!
and the Punch shows--which
by the way, is Chinese invention. The,
) spin their tops and fly their kites, unit
; the sound of songs and drums tells then
that there is theater or juggling SHOW
somewhere near, and off they go, an,
soon are to BE- found in the front row
clapping their hands in childish gle,
at the funny antics of the performers
until the man comes round with the hat
and then there is a patter of small fee
as the youngsters scurry away, for tn
Chinese boys Lave no use fer the La
d like some other boys know.
But twilight finds the tired little folk
at home, for tLey are afraid TO be OH
at dark; and little John Chinaman close
the cay in eating sweetmeats, or in TAX
, ing his turn at beating the unmusioa
u gong, or in diving among the mass q
red paper in the courtyard. where tn
fireworks were let off by his father an
: big brothers, in search for unexplode
u single crackers, which he at once put
i to their proper use, until, tired out vii
: his days exeret!ons, he is put to bet
j. and is soon sound asleep. dreaming {
. cahes and candJ copper cash, an
o Punch-and-Judy shows, and "Cr-cr-cl
u crack - bling = bang-toom!"- Sunda
e School Times.