The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-04

coolies seem to be quite industrious and carry astonishing weights, there seems to be a deep-rooted contempt for labor even among. the middle classes, and a contractor told us that in the employing of the coolies it was necessary to pay them every day be- cause a weeks compensation would have to be spent before they would re- turn to work. An incident will serve to illustrate the feeling in regard to labor of any kind. In making pur- chase we wanted two things tied to- gether with a string. We called the guides attention to 1t; he handed the things to his attendant and the att tendant handed them to the shop-keep- CT. who did the tying. We were also informed that the Koreans lack the power of organized cooperation Each one works by himself and carries his burden on forked sticks strapped to his back In walking he uses what seems like a staff, but It's real pur- pose is that of a prop for his load when he stops to rest
 The shop-keepers of Korea have the oriental taste for bargaining to 8 marked degree and always ask a great deal more than they expect to receive, finding, apparently, intellectual recre- ation in haggling over the price In making few small purchases we were very much amused at the spirited dis cussions which took place between our guide and the merchants. Followed by a crowd of interested spectators, num- bering from 20 to 50, we moved from shop to shop. The vendor would an nounce a price as if his were a one price store The guide would receive the announcement with absolute con tempt and the wordy war would begin. The bystanders took sides and joined in the fray; the clerks and members Of the storekeeper's family hocked to his aid, while the crowd elbowed each other to get near the scene of action. Usually the guide would start toward another store before an agreement could be reached; sometimes less than half the original price was settled upon, and in the calm which followed the storm everyone seemed satisfied. We heard of instances where one- eighth of the price asked was finally accepted, but either the merchants with whom we dealt were more reasonable or our guide yielded too soon.
 
 The Korean houses are entirely diff i ferent from those of Japan; they are not so high, nor so large, but are more warmly built They are usually con strueted of stone set in mud and have i poorly matched roofs of straw; ocea- | | supplies the floor except for the little sleeping rooms which have floors oi stone covered with oiled paper. These rooms are heated by hues under th' floors which conduct the flame ano smoke to the chimney which opens or the side of the house. Leaves, fagots coarse grass and all sorts of trash arc used for fuel and these stone hoors | heated twice a day, keep the smal l roonas tuite comfortable.
 T7e people sit on the floor, as 1T Japan. except that they sit cross-legget instead of sitting on the feet, anC sleep on mats spread on the floor al night and slowed away during tho | day. .,-., ,,
 courtesy of Rev. s. F. Moore, one oi inc missionaries, invited to the wed 1ine, of two Korean Christians and af fer inc ceremony had chance 10 in spect the hoase of the groom's father 1t was neat and clean, but the housoI