Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-17
GETTING ABOUT CHINA.
Changes American Women Made in
Chinese Cart.

The palanquin is really the only We
hicle considered proper for ladies OF
high rank in China. but l did not find
it comfortable. The jerky motion
and the frequent shifting from one
shoulder to the other by the bearers
annoyed me, but still worse was their
continual calling out to each other.
This Is necessary. because the mafoo
goes ahead on his horse to clear the
way and direct the course, and he
calls the directions to the bearers in
front, who in, turn inform those be
hind the palanquin, as they cannot see
the road This necessitates repeat
ing the orders to show that they have
been heard and understood Thus the
shouting goes On unfortunately. NO
leaning back or lolling is allowed in
sedan chair. One must sit in the mid
die, very erect and as still as craven
image, to preserve the equilibrium,
and this soon becomes wearisome.
The Chinese cart, as the natives use
it, is an instrument of unmitigated
torture. Take an oblong box, about
the size and shape of an immense
Saratoga trunk, with rounded top,
open at one end only; put fixed WIN
dow on either side; put it upon ex-
treNely long and strong shafts, rest
ing on enormous wheels, which are set
very far back; the tires, for some oc-
cult reason, thickly studded with big
iron knobs, with no springs of any
kind-then you have a native cart of
the best sort. The inside is lined in
winter with wadded silk or warm
furs.
The Celestials crawl into the open
front, and, half-squatting, half-lying
on the mattress which covers the floor
seem to find their quarters warm and
comfortable. The jolting over the in
creditably rough roads, which to all
but well-seasoned foreigners is intol-
cradle. does not seem to trouble them
in the least: they sleep and smoke
and smoke and sleep, and seem per-
fectly content. The wit of man and
the ingenuity of woman have. how
ever, worked wonders even in the
Chinese cart.
Someone, probably an American mis-
SiOnary, contrived to convert one of
tho windows at the side into a door
on hinges, thus obviating the necessity
of climbing over the shafts into the
open front. Another. by sinking a
box FOR the feet. invented seats upon
which two passengers could sit VISA
Wis This was great improvement,
because in all other vehicles in China
foreigners must travel in solitary state.
The invention Of a portable step to as
sist in getting into the clumsy car
riage exhausted male ideas.
Though much improved there was
still something wanting and it required
finishing touches of woman before the
cart could be made reasonably COM
Portable. Springs were impossible
They only serve to bounce the I'M
fortunate passenger with additional
force against the roof and sides. Cush-
ions and air pillows were equally I'M
awaiting, but an American lady had a
bright idea. She took from her drawing
room sofa chair. softly upholstered
arms, back and seat, made as luxuri-
Gus as possible with springs and pad
ding. Then. cutting off Its hind legs
she slipped it onto the back seat. 1t
fitted into the place exactly and I'M
mediately the hard, bunny car was
transformed into a comfortable car
riage.
The mule litter is a palanquin with
the poles resting upon the backs of
two mules harnessed tandem fashion
one in front and the other behind. The
rear mule Is so close that he some
times almost thrusts his nose into
your back hair, but this does not alter
my convictions that when the animals
are we'll matched and are trained to
keep step together, travelling in a mule
litter is not at all unpleasant, other
wise it Is terrible.-Martha Finch
DENLY in the Pacific Era.