Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1908-01-23

er, ana the paraphernalia of u better
kind, and there are two exits for use
In case of emergency, unknown as yet
even to the habitues. A fair estimate
would show Lee to do daily OF
nightly business of some three hun
dred Shells or 1915, for many OF
his customers call for second and
third shell of hop" Fifty per cent
of this is profit, and many of the
regulars purchase opium for home
consumption.
The third of the cheaper "joints" is
found six doors further down, and
this time, instead of descending to the
basement, one ascends the stairs of q
comparatively new house, the ground
floor being occupied by a fried fish
| SHOP. This place, known as "Hop
Harbour" is exclusively used by ORR
entails, and white man finds it ex-
ceedingly difficult TO gain an entrance.
Each of these places has manager,
| the Chinese syndicate which owns
them remaining in the background.
A certain amount of opium is carefully
| weighed out each day to the managers
| by the representatives of the owners,
who collect "a money equivalent. The
| manager receives his commission
daily, and the assistants their wages
at the same time. This is the Chinese
| method-no books, no accounts, Just
business. John is far from being a
fool.
oCy'- l.,
word, no special knock is necessary.
for almost the moment you approach
the door it opens, two Cinnamon in Or
binary clothes look you over, and, be-
ing satisfied, bow you to n second
door, which opens silently. The hall
is lighted by four large lamps bearing
red shades; the walls are covered
with Chinese hanging screens and or
naments, while red sign with black
lettering reads: Chinese Restaurant.
On the first floor to the right of the
entrance hall is a dining room con-
tanning eight tables. Chinese lanterns
hang from the ceiling; the decorations
are in red and black, and even the
floor is painted black with a border
OF red around the room. Here come
any number of respectable people to
dine la Chinoise. They have not the
remotest idea of what goes on above
the dining room floor, though others
use the restaurant only for a blind,
and, later on, smoke a pill or two up.
stairs. The food is excellent: Chopped
chicken and rice" yoke May" and
Chinese tea being served; but the
great dish is chop suey," a most
palatable mixture. To this place come
many prominent persons; army Of
ficers who have been in China, So
ciety people, popular Jockeys and
sometimes politicians.
You pay your bill, then ascend the
heavily carpeted stairway to the
rooms above. At the top of the first
flight, in small recess, sits a China
man spotlessly dressed in white. He
gives you a keen glance and awaits
your pleasure. II wish to rest awhile.
Loo; let me have "a room" Loo bows.
and an attendant comes forward and
leads the way into a small but lux.
uriously furnished apartment fitted up
as a sleepingroom, the bed, however.
being divan raised some six inches
from the floor, with a silk-covered
mattress and silk cushions, or a nil.
low. The attendant waits for further
orders. Bring me a layout" With
a bow the man departs, to return
with the paraphernalia. The tray is
a work of art, the stem is inlaid with
ivory, and the SHELF is a mollusc's
Shall cook for you, sir?" injuries
the servant; but the visitor has been
there before, and requires no assist
ance. Should the attendant be called
upon to do the necessary work" and
added fee of $1.25 is necessary. The
man then says: "One guinea (S5.OO
please" and, taking the money. leaves
the visitor to himself. There are som,
six private rooms at Wong's, the sec
ond floor being q sort of association"
smoking-room, used by parties VIII,
come only for the fun of the thine
This room has some ten coucbe.
beautifully upholstered, the floor I.
heavily carpeted, and the walls ar,
hung with silk curtains. All the couch
es are arranged In circle, the pillow
end to the wall, and each couch
large to hold two person.
as often n servant is called nt
requisition TO coax"
MAURICE VERNON