Dyet'D(Mse/Vol.5 No.2 Winler 2005-2A06

Chinese Tea BasketGift of Eaelyn Coughlan,1985

Among the many items given to the Dyer by the Coughlans is this tea set. In the tea potwas the story of how it came to the family. Written in her own hand, Evelyn Coughlancalled her narrative"TallTales of the Old Town." However, it seems that this is a truestory and not at all a tall tale. In any case, it is with pleasure that we present heraccount of the Chinese tea basket publicly for the first time.

The Dyer Discourse is o publicoiion of the Dyer Memoriol Librory. All rights reserved. O 2006

TrrC CTTIruESE TEN BASKET

This is the tale of the Chinese tea basketas told to me by *y husband, William D.Coughlan.

Some years ago, aChinese laundryoperated in the center of Abington by agentleman named Yee Yin. The laundrywas located in a building on thenorthwest corner of Washington Street atOrange Street. This buildingwasreplaced later by a complex of smallstores. Lynch's Drugstore occupied thecorner spot for some years. This samearea is now a vacant lot and used by theBailey Garage owrrers in connection withtheir automobile repair business. Shallwe call it Bailey's Corner? So much forthe location of the laundry.

It was the custom when laundry wasbrought to Yee Yin" to receive a receipt forthe merchandise in the form of aticketwith Chinese characters on it. To collectthe merchandise it was necessary topresent this ticket to Yee Yin in order toreclaim the laundry.

There was a gentleman in Abington whobrought his shirts to the laundry, receivedhis ticket and departed. hr due time heretnmed without the ticket to collect hislaundry and Yee Ytnrefused to grve up theshirts. FIe was adamant and told thepatron in no uncertain terms, in hisoriental accent "no tickee - no shirtee."The gentleman departed in anger.

The wheels of justice were set in motionand the gentleman from China was sued{or withholdirg the shirts. So, he trotteddown the street to the Coughlan Bros.Law Office and told his tale of woe.

WilliamJ. Coughlan (my husbandsuncle) defended the laundryman in courtandwon the case of "r.o tickee - noshirtee."

Christmas Day arrived and the Coughlanswere at the grandparents home onBedford St. enjoyin g a f amlly Christmasdinner, when the door bell rang out loudand clear. William J. left the dining tableto answer it. He opened the door andthere stood Yee Yin holding out to him asmall basket and saying in his ownpersonal way: "Melly Clistmas."

This is the tea basket, a little battered bytime and probably by Coughlan kids. Ithas always had a place of honor in thelaw office and in our home and now itwill become a permanent obj.ct in theLaw Office in the Dyer Memorial Library.

Evelyn C. CoughlanApril1985

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Fnov THE DIRECToR

Happy New Year! A1l of us at the Dyerwould like to wish you the very best for24A6.

I was huppy to find this delightful story ofnot only an object in our collection, butalso a slice of life in Abington a centuryago. Im sure every artifact has a story totell, butfew carry a well-documentedprovenance. So if you have a familyheirloom that has been passed downthrough the generations, please take thetirne to write the story and keep it withthe item. Future generations, and thearchivist/ curator where your treasuremay end up, will thank you.

Also, if you have a tall tale or true storyfrom Old Abington that you would like toshare, please let us know. We would loveto hear from you.

- ]oice Himawan

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Abington Center, from Centre Avenue looking west. The building at righf behind thetree, was where the Chinese laundry was located; it is now the parking lot of Bailey'sGarage.

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The 1900 Resident andBusiness Directory of Rockland and Abington listing of the laundrybusiness on Orange St., corner of Washington St. belonging to J. Y. Yick, whom webelieve is the Yee Yin in Evelyn Coughlan's story. The difference in spelling is probablydue to non-standard Angltcization of Chinese names at the turn of the last century"

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Dyer Memorial Library28 Centre Ave. . P.O.Box2245Abington" MA 02351

CunnEruTLY IN THE SAM DYER Roovl

With OurNeedles Created - an exhibition featuring the samplers of Old Abingtor/syoung ladies in the 18th and 19th centuries. Extended to 10 February 2006.

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UpconalruG EVENTS AT THE DyEn

Sunday,5 February 2W6,2:30pm - Historical society of Old Abington meeting: "JosiahCushman, First Sheriff of Abington " presented by A. Dean Sargent.

Sunday,5 March 2006,230pm - Historical Society of Old Abington meeting: "GreatHighland Bagpipes," presented by Tom Childs.

wednesday, 12 April20a6,7z3opm - Historical society of old Abington ANNUALMEETING: "35A Years of Furniture Making on the South Shore," presented by KeithCornell.