Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-25
CHINATOWN GREETS NEW YEAR
WITH BURST OF SACRED MUSIC

and from door to door dashed young
men and cid, calling greeting to their
friends while bands of musicians
strolled from one street to another,
serenading the popular merchants and
calling on all to come out and cele-
brate.
Shadow in the Sunshine
There was one who did not come. 1t
was a day for little Sing Yu. For
weeks the little maiden had slipped
silently through the door of the great
temple. and creeping to the feet of the
fat god of love, had placed her three
little bowls of rice as a peace offering.
Then she buried her face in her hands
and waited, but nothing came of It.
Down on Apablaza street was bright
eyed youth, whom she loved and yet
the gods refused to favor her suit. So
yesterday the girl sat in the farthest
corner of her fathers reception room
and gave but a dismal welcome to her
guests.
1t was not until late in the afternoon
that someone suggested to her that an
offering of money to the love god might
be more satisfactory and the maiden
promptly hurried to the temple and
placed the Offering at the feet of the
joss.
She retired and ten minutes later the
money was gone. Where, she neither
knew nor cared, but henceforth her
suit will prosper. So says the law of
her people.
The celebrations of this holiday have
cost more than ever before according
to the statements Of some of the Chi
nese merchants, but most of them are
beginning to realize the value of cash
gifts and yesterday George Lem, one
of the most powerful merchants of the
town, and many of his associates, spent
several hours wrapping quarters and
half dollars in red papers for distri-
button among the children and the
poor
All Debts Paid
Not one cent is owed by anyone on
the new years day as all debts must
by law be paid before that time and as
a result yesterday all were happy.
From place to place the merchants
strolled, covered in purple silks and
yellow and pink satins. Bright eyed
children dashed from place to place,
popping crackers and calling their
cheerful little Happy New Year" to
all who passed.
But the hoodlum put in an early APP
pearance and before the day was we'll
started the rough house raisers We're
at work. tearing at the silk lanterns
and pulling down the sacred prayers
ana sputterlng scare devils.
A squad of police on duty all day
long found more than they could do to
keep back the crowds of we'll dressed
young men who insulted the Chinese
women, chucked the Chinese mer-
chants under the chin and called
them John" or Charlie and who stole
the decorations from the store stills
and pulled the pig tails' of the little
Chinese youngsters who fled to their
parents for safety.
In the evening the same hoodlum ele-
ment was present and many of the
thousands Of visitors who went to the
town found their pleasure married by
bands of boys who threw mud. tore
down lanterns and cursed and smoked
in the temples with utter disregard of
the sacredness in which these places are
held by the celestials.
Today and tomorrow the celebration
will continue at it's highest and tonight
all the tong halls and joss houses will
be open to the public but the district
is being carefully policed by officers in
plain clothes and every hall will have
one or two men on duty. Through the
orders of the chief. the slightest at
tempt at ruffianism will be sufficient to
cause the arrest of the offenders