Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-09-03

| ally reached the Peak Hotel we
scrambled out with considerably
more alacrity than we had shown
at starting. The hotel is pleasant
resort, but we did not linger for we
were bound for the top of the noun
tain, and so pursued our way on up
the cement path clear to the very
pinnacle.
One look around from this ele-
waited point showed us that Victoria
Island Is nothing else than the sharp
peak OF a mountain sticking up out
OF the sea. A narrow neck OF water
cuts 1t of from the main land OF
China which we could plainly see ex-
tending away In series of barren
hills. We had had the impression
that every inch of land In China was
populated, but this inhospitable re-
gion showed no signs of life as far as
the eye could reach. Far below us
Hong Kong nestled at the waters
edge, while the ships in the bay were
tiny specks. A scattering OF fine
residences extended clear TO the sum-
NIT, while cement roads and trails
wound along In all directions. So
numerous were they that a person
could traverse the entire island af-
ter rain-storm without getting his
feet wet; even the mountain streams
had their channels paved with ce-
ment. This finished state of affairs
Is due to generations of English oc-
cupation, an abundance OF material,
and cheap labor.
On our way down the mountain we
met some OF this cheap labor in the
shape OF long procession OF coolies
both men and women-toiling
slowly up the road, Each one was
wearing yoke, from which hung
two baskets of coal or brick. They
carry these loads clear from the
water front TO the summit OF the
mountain for few cents day. The
sight OF them makes man with five
dollars In his pocket feel like a mil
lionaire! A good way to get rich is
to visit China; and still, they are
probably as well off as many of our
own laboring class.
When we had descended as far as
the railway the Spaniard, who was
rather heavy on his feet, suggested
riding down / took one look down
and recommended walking as being
healthier. He argued that the cars
were perfectly safe, as they had car.
ried thousands of people without all
accident. replied that we had no
guarantee that this state OF Affairs
would continue indefinitely, so we
compromised by hiring two chairs
popular eonveyances slung on long
poles and carried on the shoulders of
coolles--and for 10 cents each we
were borne In state all the way dowr
to the city and the Hotel America.
We reached the hotel just in tina
for dinner, and In this the house al.
most lived up to its American name.
The walters were, of course. Chinese
the cooks, too for that matter
but long association with the English
and with American tourists had
taught them enough of our language
and our outlandish appetites to en-
able them TO make a fairly good inn
ltation OF an American hotel.
In the afternoon we went out to
visit the battleshlp Wisconsin, MAX
Ing the trip In sampan. which We
hired at the water front for 10 cents
each. II was a craft slighly larger
thar an ordinary sailboat, and we
were much surprised to find 1T the
home Of an entire family. A woman
sat in the stern holding the sheet
rope and steering oar; another wo.
man and a small boy handled the big,
clumsy oars; the woman at the oars
had, In addition, baby slang on her
back. while down the forward hatch
We could see another baby sleeping.
The whole family was barefooted, al
though the weather was far from
warm. The women were good SAIL
ors, holsting sail when the breeze
struck us. aud although the boat
heeled over until began to feel anx-
ious, they steered around among the
vessels in the bay without the slight
est concern. These women seem to
have a hard life, and at first glance
one is inclined to pity them; but stIlI.
1t may not be so bad. Compare one
of them. with her loose garments an |
fresh air, to one of our society birds
einehed up in harbarous apparel, win
seven-pound hat on and her fever.
lsh grind Of bridge and pink teas, and
man may well hesitate as 10 where
to bestow his sympathy.
IL seemed almost like reitinF hack