The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-07-25
Letter From Mrs. DR.. Neal.


Il
MY DEAR MOTHER;
We are al Zon See, fairly started
now on our way TO our new home at
Che Nan Foo. We left Tung Chow
Tuesday, April IA There were so
many last things TO be done, so many
came to say good bye, that twas noon
before the Shentsze was packed and
off, then we got on cur horses TO go
around TO say our last farewell to all
our Missionary jriends, making the
rounds quickly. 1t was dreadfully
hard at the last TO turn our backs on
all our old haunts, our work at Tung
Chow and the friends of six and half
years. The good-byes were sorrowful,
more like funeral than anything else.
The Doctor say when he went into the
school room TO take leave of the girls
that they all had their heads on their
desks and were crying hard. We rode
| fast that first afternoon, but the shent-
sze had three hours start of us and we
did not overtake 1t until we had gone
almost % miles to our first stopping
place where we stayed over night.
The next morning we again started
the boy and shentsze off ahead of us,
but was so tired by the long ride of
the night before that when had gone
about eight miles | was glad enough
TO get in the shentsze TO ride the re-
naming eight to our noon resting
place. After dinner we started the
boy off again ahead so that we could
have q longer rest at the Inn, but
| didn't wish to ride on horseback all
the fifteen remaining miles into Che
Foo, but after riding short distance
we came to a stream over which the
bridge seemed unsafe to lead our
horses, so We walked on the bridge,
the DR.. leading the two horses over by
the bride, he on the bridge, they 10
the water. His horse attempted to lie
down and when he shouted at it mine
took frigh; and j4rked, the bride rein
by which he held her parted in the
middle, the one connecting the two
horses broke aud off went the horses.
Tuey were tired and didn't care to be
caught, so every time the DR.. came
near them his horse would run farther
away and mine after her. After about
half an hour he succeeded in catching
mine, aud after three quarters of an
hour of tautalizing failure, for his
horse would follow mine but not allow
itself to be caught he offered dol
lar to a passing Chinaman if he would
catch her. The man made a quick
dive and caught hold of one stirrup
but the horse wheeled itself round and
round in circle till the mao, hanging
on all the time and flying around with
it, was almost taken off his feet; final
ly she slackened up little, the man
grasped her by the bride and the vic
tory was won, and he pooketed his dol
lar happy man. Then we mounted
and came towards Che Foo at a rapid
rate, but there was no catching up to the
shentsze; it reached here fifteen min
utes ahead Of us, and we came in both
we'll tired out. l had ridden on horse
back AZ miles out of So, the longest
ride ever attempted, aud have been
very tired ever since. The horses are
to go back to Tuug Chow until we
6nd out whether We can use them at
Che Nan Foo. We are at DR.. Nevius'
where we are always made so welcome
and are only waiting for steamer to
start to Tientsin; one is expected to-
morrow. We wish to push through
so as to get settled at Che Nan Foo
before the hottest days come on. From
Tientsin we want to 60 to Pekin, then
to the Great Wall, back to Peking and
Tieutsiu from where we will take a
car al boat to Teh Chico, from there
have three days by wheel-barrow or
car, to our final destination.
With dear love to all,
Ever devotedly your daughter,
EIIzABETH S. NEAL.
NorE.-A Shentsze is litter swung
between two mules, one walking be
fore, another behind. 1t has a can
vass cover but no wheels.