TOBACCO LEAVES 



followed them about the streets in open- 

 mouthed wonder. They wore the long 

 flowing robes which have characterized 

 the garments of the race for three thou- 

 sand years, and the shining silk, queer 

 felt shoes, and long, dangling queues were 

 marvellous to the American beholders. 

 They carried fans in their hands, and 

 whenever the sun shone too strongly they 

 slapped them open, as they do on the 

 comic-opera stage, and shielded their 

 faces, but never used them to create cooler 

 air while in the street. But it was the 

 cigarette innovation that struck us with 

 most awe. None of the Chinamen was 

 engaged in the laundry business as now, 

 and the sale of tobacco the strong Chi- 

 nese variety, which resembles our Loui- 

 siana Perique and cigarettes seemed to 

 form their sole occupation. They kept 

 little stands on the street corners, and 



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