Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-30
FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR
LOCAL oRIENTALS PREPARING TO
CELEBRATE EVENT.
Begins Next Friday Morning - Lasts
Three Days-No Fireworks, but
Games-Exchange Calls.

Local Cinnamon are living in anticipation
Of a Joyous time the last of this week
when they will celebrate the Chinese New
Year. The celebration will begin Friday
morning, and many Of the celestials will
remain up all night in order to be on hand
in the joss house during the first morning
of the holiday, which lasts three days.
While the celebration is supposed to last
three days, the Cinnamon in this city will
not refrain from doing labor all this time.
Many of the laundries will close their doors
part of the day Friday, but their patrons
will find no difficulty getting their "washee''
If they do not lose their "tickee." The more
wealthy of the Cinnamon will do no work
during the three days, but some of them
will not hesitate to enjoy friendly game
of fan-tan with an ANTE to make it more
interesting. Years ago the local Cinnamon
celebrated at night with an elaborate dis
play of fireworks, but during recent years
the police have discouraged the use of ex-
plCs1ves, and now there will be nothing in
which the general public can participate eX-
cept to make call.
Kwong He Sung Men.
The greeting of "Kwong He Sung Mem
"a happy New Year to you) will bring joy
to the hearts of many Cinnamon who have
been at odds with some of their fellow
countrymen during the past year. No mat
ter how bitter the feeling has been all will
be well at the dawn of the new year. No
Chinaman ever refuses to shake his own
hands at the approach of another China
man ON the occasion of this holiday. The
religious feature of the day will be strict
ly observed by every one. A Chinaman may
have his religious pictures of good and
evil spirits in his own home but he will
not fail to visit the joss house on Penn
sylvania avenue in Chinatown" and offer
up his prayers for health and prosperity
during the coming year.
Tries to Pay Debts.
AT this time every Chinaman is struggling
TO pay all his debts, as he does not hope for
much luck with any money obligations out
standing. In chinatown" most of the res
ldents Will make gorgeous displays of Chi
nese fruits, candies and other good things"
as the Cinnamon refer to them. The men
and boys will dress in their bright cos
tunes and spend the day in calling, but the
women Will not be in evidence. Bright-cOl-
ored pictures, feathers and pictures of great
men will also be displayed. The children
who go calling will be given sums of money
the amounts ranging from a nickel to a dol
sessed by the host. Cigars and wine are
served but many of the callers content
themselves with a sip of tea. The tea is
Kept on hand at all times and does not play
spreads.
Cards Are Exchanged.
cards to be used on the festive occasion
have been received from the Chinese publ
fishing houses in California and New
York These cards are exchanged, most of
the Cinnamon having two sets of them
One is to tell of the business and address
of the caller and the other contains no
references to business. They are ex-
changed by the residents of different cities
and even by friends who are separated by
the briny deep and the Chinese exclusion
law. Many OF them have already been re-
ceived from the orient and the local
Cinnamon have sent theirs across the
ocean, Some who do not get their cards
in time to exchange send kilograms to
their near friends. Every caller. whether
Chinaman or not, is treated TO the
Chinese good things when he makes a
call and is also greeted with gar ne TO
toy" which means the wishing of good
luck. Despite the amount of Chinese
liquor that is dispensed on the New Year
day it is seldom that one of the Cinnamon
is seen under the influence of liquor.