The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-10
CHIC SING CHERLINGEN


Times.
Burton Che was not much attracted by
Celestials) greatly admired the def way
in which the Chinese cook at the VAN
couver emptied his refuse basket from
the hotel back windows upon the heads OF
his fellow Cinnamon below; but he ceased
10 admire the COOK on discovering thal
these apparently ai;nIess Cinnamon picked
up mysteriously little bundles which tum-
bled out of the refuse, hid them under
their blouses and ''slithered' away in diff
ferent directions. The third time this hap
pened the cook looked up, Burton looked
down The Chinaman's face was impas-
sive; Burton's conveyed an assurance OF
respectful interest; he smiled amiably and
closed the window. After this incident
Burton was the best served man in the
hotel
Growing curious, Burton began to ex-
plore Chinatown. Most of its denizens
were opium smokers habit which mar
rowed the pupils of their eyes to mere pin
pricks He was fascinated by the pas
sionless. unfathomable naught-revealing
explosion of their alrsonc-snaped optics
In his evening strolls through Vanvou-
ver though he continually saw opium
fiends at street corners, the meeting al
ways caused a sense of shock on his part
they, apparently. did not see him at all,
being otherwise engaged viewing and re-
viewing eternity.
Burton gradually tired of hotel life, for
its gloomy pomp chilled him. Naturally
sociablc. he was yet an extremely shy
man. AS q rule his WORK occupied him
all day. When free from the absorbing
occupations of making money he did not
know what TO do with his bachelor exist
ence. Apart from Chinatown. his only re-
source was to 90 to CapTano Canyon or
Stanley Park. After a time the latter
palled on him, for he knew every animal
there from the affable Roman-nosed goat
to the wildcat whose sun-stricken eyes
narrowed down to the size of a China
mans. It suddenly occurred TO Burton
that he would give up the crowded soli-
tude of hotel life and start little home Of
his own.
On the outskirts of the city he soon
found an UNFINISHED wooden verandaed
house which just suited him. After agree
ing to rent it for year he began to look
out for a servant. of course" said Pey-
ton. a man who pitied Burton's solitary
lot, and was inclined to be friendly, you d
better get a Chinaman. He won't stay in
the house at night. but, when you come to
know as much about Cinnamon as 1 do
you will find that an advantage. He'll
soon get into your ways, if you train him
L can't afford an expensive servant"
said Burton Ruefuly. Besides, wouldn't
it be wiser to have someone always in the
house,"
Not a Chinaman; they're much better
out of it"
''Well. how can I get one cheap"
1.-The only way is to apply through the
Never heard of EN-. Who are they?"
They're the secret society which con-
trolls thel abor market here. No China
man would dare to take a place on his
own initiative. If you got one who de-
cIined To pay toll to the Highbnders
they'd cut his throat p d. q, which be-
ing interpreted, means that they would
not let the grass grow under their feet
before they settled him.
Burton laughed Live Cinnamon seem
TO be dear enough I can't afford funeral
expenses for dead ones. How can I get
into communication with these mysterious
oh, I'll send you one. You'll have to
pay what he asks, or go without"
Burton. delighted to hear o. this way
out of the difficulty, went on furnishing
his house. Although the premises were in
good condition, the garden had not been
touched for some months. He was par
ticularly fond of tomatoes. and promised
himself great pleasure in growing them.
Any Chinaman would soon earn his wages
IN retaining this tangled wilderness.
As he came out of the house a few days
later Burton was suddenly aware of a
blue bloused fellow leaning against a
veranda post. Fifty yards away, loung-
ing by the garden railing was a much
smaller Chinaman, who. although Burton
knew it not. subsequently, proved to be
Chi Seng. The first Chinaman. with d
sinister scar across the right side of his
ugly face, nodded to the "fiolen deviF
with an afably greasy smile.
You wantee boy? Me find him plan
tee"
How much?"
What YOU sive?"
Twenty dollars month
The Chinaman shook his read. "Flortee
dollar"
Cant afford it Twenty. Not cent
more.
The Chinaman reflected. 'Twerlentee
dollar-twerlentee dollar work: lortee
dollar-fortee dollar work"
Burton began to be annoyed. Well
I'm not going to pay more than twenty
The Chinaman looked around the gar
den, then at the house. "Pilantee much
diggee." he said. with wave of his yell
low hand toward the untitled tomato
patch. ''Twerlentee dollar Chinaman heap
fool alice samee folen devil"
y can't help that said Burton. an
grily. IF you'll find me fellow who'll
cook. wash and do everything else, III
pay him twenty dollars a month-no
more"
His visitor made a gesture of dissent.
Burton turned TO lock the door as if there
were no more to be said. When he again
looked around the Chinaman had disap-
peared.
Later on h mentioned the matter TO
Peyton. who seemed rather annoyed about
it. .'of course. its no use TO oter 500.
Any Chinaman who IS worth his salt can
get twice as much in Vancouver. The
Highbincers won't let him take less. If
he does, they throw in free funeral"
Then / shah have TO 90 it all myself"
said Burton rucfully. I'm a bit pnched
inst now and c-n-t aef.rd n ny. r.nnra