Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-05-15
Chinese Country Journeyings.

with us again asked LIT. d., as ne
came in one November afternoon. The
proposal was gladly accepted, and,
packing a supply of bedding and other
necessary articles in two Chinese bask-
cts, Just enough for 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 glory the top
of old Kushan, our mountain sentinel,
and soon down through the mists of the
valley extended long, rosy lines of light.
At first the streets seemed almost de-
serted, but as we neared the fish-market
we found it difficult to make our way
through the narrow street and the mass
of human beings, crowding, scolding,
screaming, bargaining, over the baskets
of fish ranged on both sides.
Before seven 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 were to
make our headquarters. We found the
people 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 lands 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 tnreshing- machines, very simple
affairs--large square boxes, which a
man could turn over his head and move
from place to place at convenience.
Around and above three sides of each
box was fastened sort of curtain to
protect the grain from waste, and over
the edge of the fourth man beat vio-
lently sheaf of grain, letting the ker-
nels fall into the box.
This is slow work to be sure, but per
severance conquers where invention
fails. Along the paths which interseci
these fields we met men carrying, sus-
pended from each end of a pole, heavy
basket of the threshed grain, which, at
ter being famed, is poured in almost
any level place upon large strips Of
mating, where men and women wade
back and forth through it, spreading il
evenly with their feet that it may be
dried by the sun. How much the Chi
nese depend upon their rice western ma
tons can hardly realize; it is more to
them than bread to us. In its different
stages, it is known by four different
names: While growingin the fields they
call it ten; after it is threshed, chiOh
the hull being removed it changes to
mi, and boiling converts it into prong
We crossed the rice plains one even
ing and climbed the rocky hillside tC
gather maiden 's-hair ferns and breathe
the fresh, invigorating air. On the Op'
posite side of the plain, behind the misty
mountains, the sun was sinking in
cloudless sky. Close beside us merry
brook was tumbling over the stones, and
very sweet and homelike was the gentle
music of its voice, so unlike the noisy
clamOr of the crowded masses of hui
mainly by which we are so often sur.
rounded that silence and solitude are
rare Injuries. Almost everywhere, q:
we went among the people, we were
cordially received. We sat with them
in their dark, untidy houses, or on the
broad, fiat stones outsldewhere they
were caring for the grain, and between
their curious questions found opportu-
nifty to weave in the grand truths of re-
demption through His blood, who came
to bear the burdens of the heayy-laden
and give the weary rest.
We entered house one day at the in
vitation of its occupant. Quite near the
door stood bedstead, and between il
and the wall she led US through mar
row passage to another room. In this
passage-way lay stretched at his ease a
large black pig. He seemed annoyed at
the unusual commotion, and a little in
clined to dispute our right to thus dis
turb his slumbers, but before he had de-
cided what course to pursue, we crowded