File:Chinatown ballads (1906) (14771822644).jpg

Identifier: chinatownballads00irwi (find matches)
Title: Chinatown ballads
Year: 1906 (1900s)
Authors: Irwin, Wallace, 1876-1959
Subjects: Chinese Americans
Publisher: New York, Duffield & Company
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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ench she lay.Smoked er pipe and whispered nonsense to the greasy walls all day. Dr. Chun was quite attentive—^he had medi-cine to give— Waited patient as an idol till she hadnt longto live, TTHE CHAMBER OF TRANQUILLITY Then he signalled to the coolies that wasworkin In Is pay, And they rolled er In a blanket and they car-ried er away; Packed er down trough traps and cellars tothe narrow, wooden stair Of the Chamber of Tranquillity. Theyknocked and left er there. What, the Chamber of Tranquillity—aint heard of it before?Its kind o death-bed annex to an undertakers store.In the Quarter when a Chinamans about to pass away,Then he Isnt wanted round the house—It brings bad luck, they say—So they chuck Im in this quiet cell to breathe Is heathen last.Where the undertakers handy—and ther aint no questions ast. Oh, the Chamber of Tranquillity is under-ground and cold, It hasnt got no windows and Its walls Iscracked and old; It hasnt got no pillows where a feeble headkin lifr— 78
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Saj/ the biggest bunch o zvicJzedness that ever walked in silk. THE CHAMBER OF TRANQUILLITY But a feller aint pertickiller wen hes aboutto die. And the prayer that speeds the dyin in thatdark, ondecent shed Is the pigtailed undertaker nailin coffins over-head. All day long the dyin woman lay a-moaninin the den. Old Jim Mok, the undertaker, peeked insilent now and then Jest to see if it was ready. In the MoonFlower restaurant Dr. Chun, he gave a banquet which was allthat heart could want. Twas a feast fer gods and devils, the occa-sion of Ms life, To announce that Wing Lees daughter wasto be is second wife. Late and early came the swellest merchant-kings o Chinytown, Red-hot, pigtailed sports, kow-towin in therrobes o green and brown; And as in and out they waddled wit thedignity o beeves, Ye could hear the gamblin-money clinkingently in ther sleeves.79 THi: CHAMBER OF TRANQUILLITY Eyes like agates, cheeks like ivory, and smiles as white as milk—Say I the biggest bunch o wickedness t

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