Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-08-05

The following letter from former
Winthrop boy who is teaching in the
Philippines will be of interest to many
readers:
"Bugias, Benguet. Philippines,
May II, 1909.
Dear Ones:
This is the fourth day that / am ON
vacation,-a queer vacation you would
call it, and for that very reason
thought it might be of in
terest to you and so I am go
ing to attempt to tell something %
it," I am travelling from Baguio to
BontOc and after one day there shall
return to Manila by the quickest route
possible. The change of climate, the
scenery and the opportunity to say
'hello' to few friends are what make
the trip desirable to me, not to men
ton the chance to see something of the
roads and the schools. Gov. Packs
trails are famous throughout the is
lands and the schools for the non-Chris-
tians are very interesting indeed.
This morning I saw-but first let me
tell you something of the start. DR..
Copeland of the College of Agriculture
and Mr.. Dr.) Merrill, of Maine, were
to leave Baguio on May Sth for Mt.
Pulog to collect botanical specimens
and incidentally to Climb the noun
tain and enjoy the scenery. l
was busy and did not make many in
quiries about the trip but nevertheless
asked them to count me in.
On Saturday morning I sent my bag
e., 10 al,
which 1 kept to carry w 18th me contain
ing my blankets, a change of clothing.
etc. l went to breakfast at six o'clock
but as there seemed but little prospect
that the party would start Immediately
went I'D to see the autos start for
the train, three of them carrying thirty
passengers in all. DR.. and Mrs. Bar
rows went down as did also several
division superintendent
1t was nearly seven o'clock when I
went around to find the. party and they
did not start for a haf-hour. Strange
as DR. Copeland said, everybody
claimed to be ready at six and yet we
did not get off until seven thirty.
Cur trail started bl.avely off straight
up the highest hill in sight from the
top of which we looked down upon
Commissioner Forbes house. "Topside."
the highest and most luxurious house
in Baguio, the summer capital. From
here we also got a fine view of the
"a gno river valley.
We had more high hills to so up and
missed the trail. taking by mistake the
Igorote trail over the top instead of the
new government trail that winds about
he CT lot ho, 40
greater that Is per cent. and in many
places, most places, it is but four per
cent. The Igorote packers followed us
for awhile but soon forsook the way
of their fathers for the white mans
trail.
Our party, I should have told you
consisted of seven pulistas-carriers-
who carried our packs on their backs. l
will send YOU a postcard showing how
they look il l can find one. Do not be
shocked when l tell you that they did
not have a stitch of clothing on, only
a small piece of cloth around their
loins which had no stitches in 1T, was
just as it came from the loom. Every
man had a coat or blanket to wrap
around himself at night. Blue army
shirt and coats are a favor1te with
Them 1t is surprising to see how many
get hold of them. With nothing on but
the G-String the Igorote scarcely looks
dressed to us but they look even more
odd with coats or shirts and no trous-
ers or Shoes The Division Superinten-
dent of schools, and in fact other off,
Gals. have clerks who wear white coats
with nothing below them. 1t is quite
startling 20 see them come from behind
a table where their legs had been hid-
den.
Besides Dr. Copeland, Mr.. Merrill.
and the carriers there were Mr.. and
Mrs. I.edyard of the Manila High
school. Mr.. and Mrs. Baldridge of the
Dun1aguete High school, Messrs. Riley,
Parker and Leischer teachers. Mr..
Ledyard is Mason ard it was through
him, that 1 got an invitation to the din
ner given by Masons in the Teachers
Camp to the Honorable, the Secretary
of Public Instruction Commissioner
Newton c. Gilbert.
Everyone had started out with the
intention of enjoying the trip to the
fullest extent possible. Under such con-
diticns time cannot but pass very
pleasantly indeed. About ten o'clock,
l think 1T was, we got fine view of
the Agno and two or three branch river
valleys, with an Igorote village thrown
in to aid deeper color to the scene.
We lunched by a small stream, de-
licious lunch though no doubt anything
| would have tasted good to appetites
whetted by such exercise as we had
| taken. Il
In the afternoon it rained; we did not
mind it much except that 1t made
walking difficult Because of that first
days nike my toes were sore for two
weeks after.
| We got a most beautiful cloud effect.
A light rain hung like a veil between
us and distant mountain side, rather
more like curtain because only the
half of the scene before us, the half al
our right, was clouded. This Quadran,