Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10
Takes His Card With Him.

Not only does the Chinaman take his card
with him when he goes visiting, but he ex-
changes cards with his callers and sends
them to friends in other cities In order
to send his cards to friends who live a
long distance from his home it is necessary
for him to get them started a long time
before New Year day. Then there are cards
for the little ones who call. These cards
contain coins, from a nickel to a dollar,
according to the financial standing OF the
Cinnamon who wraps the money and places
it upon his deliberately decorated stand.
with candies. nuts and what are termed
Chinese good things.
Tea will be found at every store and
laundry, and New Year da yis the one time
of the year when the host waits upon his
guests and insists upon their partaking of
his hospitality. Shortly after midnight the
Cinnamon will be seen vending their way
sclemny and slowly to the joss house in
chinatown" where they will shake the
piece of earthenware that is filled with
joss sticks, and learn if the new year is
to be a profitable one. Punk enough will
that is calculated to Stifie persons who are
unaccustomed to it. All day Wednesday
the Cinnamon will go from house to house
paying calls and induging in Chinese good
things.
As to Intoxicants.
While most of the Cinnamon. especially
the merchants will have intoxcants to
offer their guests, Chinese whisky and
Wines there are many of the callers who
will abstain from partaking of these bev-
erages, but there are not many of them, 1t
is stated who will refuse to hit the pipe
during the day or night. 1t is rare thing
that a Washington Chinaman is ever seen
under the influence of liquor and some of
them follow the custom of the American
friends during the holiday season, refusing
to imbibe at that time for fear of becoming
intoxicated, but they will take drink at
fhnr
1t is intended that the Freemasons and
members of the Chinese Empire Reform
Association shall send greetings to the
members of the lodges and associations
elsewhere those that are to be delivered
to the members In China having been
mailed nearly month ago. The members
of the organizations look forward 70 the
holiday season with considerable more IN
terest than does the unattached Chinaman.
bur, it is stated, there are not many OF
them who are not connected with either as
ISOLATION. The Chinese Freemason ORDER
is becoming stronger every year, but there
are some local Cinnamon who are pegln-
ming to lose their enthusiasm over the at
fairs of the other association
Meeting Place Of Freemasons.
At the meeting place of the Freemasons'
it is stated, only the members of the order
are admitted, although American visitors
sometimes manage to pass the sentinel
The whole affair is like so much Greek
to them. however, but they are ushered
out of the door in a short while, the China
men never forgetting their politeness.
Those who visit the temple during the holi-
day season are expected to make an Of
fering the money being put aside TO de-
FRAY the expenses of the order during the
wear 1t is stated that an effort is 10 De
made this year to change the name or the
reform association to the Imperial Repub-
lican Association.
No matter what Is done respecting the
name of the association, local Chinese
merchant said to Star reporter, the mem
bership will probably show decrease dur
ing the coming year. The Chlnese, ne
stated are getting tired of giving their
money without receiving any returns. ihey
fail to see what has been accomplished, ne
said. and think they can use the money TO
lust as good, If not to better, advantage
than those in charge of the association
IT is said to be source or great regret
that the Cinnamon are not to De permitted
to assemble in front of their place OF w0r-
shin or other place, and set Off fireworks
the first day of the year, but the emma
men make no complaints. Some or them
set off a few firecrackers or other expo
siyes indoors, and seem perlectiy salisiIeu.
cinnamon are expected to close tnelr
places of business for two days, put there
are MANY of them who do not feel mat
thev can ford to spare so much time from
their places and they close only ions
enough to permit them to call upon their
friends Some of them remain at tneir
business places all day, and do their calling
at night. All must go visiting, however,
and many of them eat SO MANY VI t e
good things that 1t is necessary Tor
them to take off day or two TO recup-
crate. -. =. ..h+ Mill
90 To baltimore Wednesday and participate