The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-25
NIG LEE BE TALKEE YIDDISH
NEOVERY BY ABE SIDLOWSkI
OF THE PURPLE SHIRT.
NM Six Years Hearing Everything in
Gserck Street and Saying Nothing,
The Lamdryman Betrays Himself to
Save tho Wash and Owns Up for Peace.
pUBI.ICAT1O NS.

The Lamdryman Betrays Himself to
Save the wash and Owns Up for Peace.
1t w six years ago that Sung Lee,
hundyman, moved into the basement at
NJ Goerck street and began to wash clothes
for the Ickelheims and the Winkowsks
md the Sidlowskis and their allied families.
Tor dx years Sung Lee abode in peace,
&ivered the washing every Friday after
non and hardly ever got caught in fan
amid His prices for shirts were shade
how those Of the steam laundries, and he
put twice as much starch in them. OF
sumner evenings he used to sit on the base
nsnt steps and play with the children.
suetimes, If they were good, he'd bring
ss little Chinese pipe and play a tune
'Nch was twice as funny as the tune Of the
lrdy-gurdies and cheaper. His days
vss days Of industry and his nights were
lights Of calm content. He did all business
b English. Whenever q new immigrant
hid to talk to him in Yiddish, Sung Lee
would answer
'whasamalla3 wha' TO-? Spik EN-
tAhi spik EN- English. no spik 'em Heb
M. VIVA fo'l' So that the neighbors
psdualy began to feel safe In trading
suhdences before Sung Lee.
Abb Sidlowsh, aged %, Is mentioned In
10 Yiddish press as a prominent member
Z tho Garment Workers Union. For the
snkh on those pink and purple effects OF
Writings In which he scorches Grand street
.ey Sunday afternoon, Able Is indebted to
sung Lee. This goes slightly against the
rsi, for Able has been told that Chinese
emigration is running the country; also
ut cheap Oriental labor is the foe OF the
MONS. Able became mindful Of this when
eusl Lee tried to overcharge him ono FRI
ny Afternoon.
Il was the next Thursday night when
lhs went INTO Sung Lees shop with his
saun, Morris Ickleheim, and demanded
wash In advance.
An light, mepbe one minute. I fix EN-,
I'D Sung Lee, and went on ironing.
~ tell You what you do, Norris, said
~, struck with an idea: you grab the
!anfs washbaske. and run out OF the
enH and III stand here and make him be-
AZ ~ you stole it, Able said this in Yid-
Norris lifted the basket. Sung went on
i1onng: Morris beat it for the door. Sung
Without turning around, reached up
~ pulled little string, The door
IIrqmed tight and locked. And forth
saa sung Lee turned into a hundred
TnG OF concentrated action. Able made
mistake OF trying to fight Sung Lee.
.m9 70 hight Chinaman is a grievous
; KIT INTO which American citizens have
se In many parts Of this broad land.
~ wy seconds later Able and Morris sat
\. vac basement stairway wondering where
cyclone came from.
Ndnml, wise to the Chink. He knows
r as1,'., said Able, expressing himself
~ Sd,ah he does" said Morris. Able
nj home and thought.
s1s, vas the next week that the eviction
n ~ sIsss settled on COINS row OF fats,
ss.n iacn lo7 Goerck street is. When the
d. a as.a were at their loudest and merriest,
So,. S'y marshal piled a heap Of chairs,
SSs..d, waiting his chance, sneaked into a
I'M" me pile with big wad OF damp
~ ~ which he lit. A beautiful smudge
70 ron into the laundry door, Sung
'Nsa OUT " and bumped into the barricade.
49,! Chnl Ali" cried Sung. No one
~ IIteo, The police and the marshals
~ , Uusy with the hourly riot. and there
S none but Able to hear.
bm, ITsamalla; Fiah! Lemme out!" yelled
Nob.., zee, Still no answer, but Able lit
hayier snhudge and the smoke rolled
~ III than before. Sung Ice gath
eu,,..s ~ j. bis breath and sang out in the
.1%UuSss! Mem vech! Whasamalla!"
I'd t6s A.. said Able, from under the pile,
s nre went out.
hcueht several weeks later when Able
can OF white paint and painted