Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-04-15
CHINESE COUNTRY JOURSRYIyGs.
NissToSARY's ENCOUNTERS Win THE
CoNNoSER PEoPLE-A BRIDAL Feast
AMONG THE RICE FIELDS AND OR.
ANnH CpnNus Hrl.

AMONG THE RICE FIELDS AND OR.
ASGE GROVES. ETC.
Correspondence Of the Springfield Republican.
FoocHow, CHINA, Dec, 4, 1879.
"Would you like to go to the country
with us again!n asked DR.. b. as he
came in one November afternoon. The
proposal was gladly accepted, and pack.
ing a supply of bedding and other nee.
essary articles in two Chinese baskets,
just enough for a coolie load, for we
have no baggage wagons here, we pre-
pared for an early start that we might
take advantage of the morning tide. As
we passed out through the gate the sun
was just lighting up with glery the top
of old kushan, our mountain sentinel,
and soon down through the mists of the
valley extended long, rosy lines of light.
At6rst the streets seemed almost desert
ed, but as We neared the fsh.market we
found it difficult 10 make our way
through the narrow street and the mass
of human beings, crowding, scolding.
screaming, bargaining. over the baskets
of fish ranged an both sides.
Before o'clock we slowed away in a
little sampan, and wind and tide and
oars all helped to hasten us on our way.
Soon after noon we reached the village
of Lampwor, where we we're to make
our headquarters. We found the peo.
pie in the midst Of their rice harvest,
and more than usually busy. Instead
of the fresh green which was just sprout
ing all over the flooded land when we
saw them seven months ago, was now
the ripened grain, the sheaves, in the
distance, closely resembling wheat. Here
and there in the fields stood the native
threshing machines, very simple affairs
large square boxes, which q man
could turn over his head and move from
to place to place at convenience.
Around and above three sides of each
box was fastened a sort of curtain to
protect the grain from waste, and over
the edge of the fourth a man beat vic.
lently a sheaf of grain letting the ker.
nels fall into q box.
This is slow work TO be sure, but perse-
verence conquers where invention fails.
Along the paths which intersect these
fields we met men carrying. suspended
from each end of pole, heavy basket
of the threshed grain, which after being
famed, is poured in almost any level
place upon large strips of mating, where
men aud women wade back and forth
through IL, spreading it evenly with
their feet that it may be dried by the
hot sun. How much the Chinese de-
pend upon their rice western nations
eau hardly realize il Is more TO them
than bread to US. In It's different stages,
il is known by four different names:
-, hs. E.l1 -
tea after il is threshed, ehioh the hull
being removed il changes to mi and
boiling converts IL into p,pong.
We crossed the rice plains one even.
ing and climbed the rocky hillside to
gather maiden shair ferns and breathe
the fresh, lnvigorating air. On the op-
posite side of the plain, behind the misty
noun tains, the sun was sinking in q
cloudlesss sky. Close beside us merry
brook was tumbling over the stones, and
very sweet and homelike was the gen.
tie music OF its voice, so of humanity
by which we are so often surrounded
that silence aud solitude are rare luxu.
ries. Almost everywhere, a. we went
among the people, we were cordially re-
ceived. We sat with them in their
dark, untidy houses, or on the broad,
fiat stones outside where they were car.
ing for tho grain, and between their cur
ious questions found opportunity to
weave ia the grand truths of redemp.
ton through his blood, who came 20
bear the burdens of the heavy-laden
and give the weary rest.
We entered house one day at the
invitation of its occupant, Quite near
the door stood bedstead, and between
it and the wall she led us through .
narrow passage to another room. In
this passage way lay stretched at his
ease large black pig. He seemed an.
noyed at the unusual commotion,anda .
little inclined TO dispute our right to
thus disturb his slumbers. but before he
had decided what course TO pursue. We
crowded past him and went on our way.
one can become accustomed to almost
anything,