The Columbus journal., 1908-08-26
CHAPTER xvlI-continued.

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
eign life, that goes by the name of
Chinatown. Sordid and foul as it APP
pears by daylight, there was charm
and romance to it under the lantern
lights that softened the darkness.
Crowds of Chinese hurried along the
streets, loitered at corners, gathered
about points of interest, but it seemed
as though it was all one man repeated
over and over.
Why. they're all alike" exclaimed
Mrs BOwser. How do they ever tell
each other apart"
"Oh, that's aisy enough. ma 'am," re-
piled COrson with twinkle in his
eye They tie knot in their pig
tails, and that's they way you know
EN-"
Laws, you don't say" said Mrs.
Bowser, much impressed. Il never
could tell 'em that way"
1T is a strange resemblance" said
Mr.. Carter. Don't you find it almost
impossible to distinguish between
them
ITO tell you the truth, sor, no" said
Corson. It's a trick of the eye with
you. sor. If you was to be here with
EN- for a month or two you'd niver
think there was two of 'em alike.
There's as much difference betwiXt
one and another as with any two
white men. | was loike you at first.
says to meself that they're as like
as two peaSe. But. now, look at those
two mugs there in that door. They're
no more alike than you and me. as
Mr.. Wilson here can tell you. sor."
The difference between the two
Chinese failed to impress me. but
I was mindful of my reputation as an
old resident.
.'Oh. yes; very marked contrast"
I said promptly. just as | would have
sworn that they were twins if Corson
had suggested It.
Very remarkable" said Mr. Carter
obviously.
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
odors. Here was shop where ivory
in delicate carvings. bronze work that
showed the patient handicraft and gro
tesQue 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 a 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
thither 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
Guild Nick liver had to his hand" said
Corson: there isn't one of 'em down
there that wouldn't bet the coat off his
back
Dear me. how dreadful" said Mrs.
Bowser. And do We have to go down
into that horrible hole. and how can
We ever get out with our lives?"
We're not going down there,
ma'am.' interrupted Corson shortly.
And where next" asked Luella.
The question was addressed to the
policeman. not to me. Except for a
formal greeting when he had met. Lu-
ella had spoken no word 10 me during
the evening.
Here's the biggest joss-house in
town." said Corson. We might as
we'll see it now as any time"
'Oh, do let us see those delightfully."-
horrible idols" cried Mrs. Bowser.
The policeman led the way into the
dimly-lighted building that served as
a temple.
l fingered a moment by the door to
see that all my party passed in.
There's Wainwright" whispered
Porter, who closed the procession.
Where" asked. a dim re-nem-
brance of the mission on which | had
sent him in pn~suit of the snake-eyed
man giving tie information a sinister
twist.
Porter gave a e':rrup and Vain
wright halted At ne door. /