The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-20
CHAPTER XvII-Continued.


"Oh, isn't it sweet! So Charming,'
cried Mrs, Bowser, as we came into
full view of the scene and crossed the
Invisible line that carries one from
modern San Francisco into the an
cient oriental city, instinct with for
aign life, that goes by the name OF
Chinatown Sordd and foul as it ap-
pears by daylight, there was a charm
aud romance to it under the lantern
lights that softencd the darkness,
Crowds of Chinese hurried along the
4treots, loitcred at corners, gathered
about points of interest, but it seemed
Is though it was all one man repeated
pyer and over.
why, they're all alike!" exclaimed
Mrs Bowscr. How do they ever tell
each other apart?'
oh that's aisy enough, ma'am,' re-
piled COrson with a twinkle in his
eve They tie a knot in their pig
:lils, and that's they way you know
ON"
Laws you don't say!" said Mrs
EUWSGr, much impressed. Il never
could tell 'em that way
1T is strange resemblance, said
Mr Carter. Don't you find it almost
Impossible to distinguish between
.ham?'
"To tell you the truth, sor, nc" said
Cors0n ITS a trick of the eye with
YOU, s3g If you was to he here with
m for a month or two you'd niyer
htnN there was two CT EN- alike,
There's as much difference bctwiXt
one aud another as with any two
whit" men. was loike you at first.
SAYS 10 mcself that they're as like
IS two prasc But now, look at those
two mugs there in chat door. They're
no more alike than you and me, as
Mir Wilson here can tell you, sor.'
The difference between the two
Chinese failed to impress me, but
was mindful of my reputation as an
Id resident.
OH yes; a very marked contrast"
/ said promptly just as | would have
sworn that they were twins if Corson
had suggested it.
Very remarkable" said Mr.. Garter
dubiously.
In and out we wound through the
oirnetal city-the fairy-land that
stretched away, gay with lanterns and
busy with strange crowds, changing at
times as we came nearer to a tawdry
reality, cheap. dirty, and heavy with
,dors. Here was a shop where ivory
in delicate carvings, bronze work that
showed the patient handicraft and gro,
'eSque fancy of the oriental artist, lay
side by side with porcelains, fine and
coarse, decorated with the barbariC
taste in form and color that rules The
art of the ancient empire. Next the
rich shop was low den from whose
open door poured fumes of tobacco
and opium, and in whose misty depths
figures of bloused little men huddled
around tables and swayed hither and
thlthCr. The click Of dominoes, the
rafting of sticks and counters, and the
excited cries of men, rose from the
throng
They're the biggest gamblers the
Ould Nick iver had to his hand" said
COrSon thee isn't one of 'em down
there that a'6u't bet the coat eff his
back"
Dear me, how dreadful" said Mrs
HOwser, And do we have to go dowr
nto that horrible hole, and how car
ever get out with our lives?'
We're not going down there
ma'am.' interrupted Corson shortly.
And where ncXt?" asked Luella.
The question was addressed to the
policeman, not to me. Except for {
formal greeting when he had met, Lll
ella had spoken no word to me during
TIE evening.
Here's the biggest joss-house il
town." said COrson. I'VE might a!
veil see it now as any time"
oh do let US see those delightful,
horrible idols" cried Mrs. Bowser.
The policeman led the way into the
dimly-iighted building that served az
j temple.
fingered moment by the door t
see that all my party passed in.
There's Wainwright" whispered
Porter, who closed the procession.
'Where?" l asked. a dim remem
bcance of the mission on which l haC
sent him in pursuit of the snakeeyeC
m2a giving the information a sinister
twist
Porter gave a chirup and Vain
welshs halted at the door.