The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-09-08
LETTER FROM CHINA.
Friends Mission,
Chengtu. West China.
4-5-1916.

The next day after 1 sent my last
general letter telling you that we
were about to start to Chengtu orders
came from the Chinese military
authorities telling us that it was not
safe for us to start. We were much
disappointed but there seemed to be
nothing which we could do but settle
down to spend the summer in Chung
king. Three weeks later, however,
though we had not heard of any
difference in the state of affairs in
the country, another note told us
that we might proceed: So proceed
we did and 1 am glad to say we are
now really at our journeys end.
The overland trip was not near
SO uncomfortable as I fancied it
might be. To be sure we had an
especially good time or year for it.
It was not too hot nor too cold Except,
on one rainy day)to be quite COM
Portable out in the open. Moreover
the fruit trees were IN bloom, and
the wheat fields were very green and
the mustard fields very yellow; SO
that the scenery was beautiful all the
way along. 1t was great relief the
first day to get out of the crowded
city of Chungking among the fresh,
fragant growing things.
There was quite caravan of us as
it took 25 men in all to carry us and
our belongings. The road practic-
ally all the way was a narrow path
about three feet wide paved with
flag stones. When, as often happens,
there was just flooded rice fields on
either side of the path you sort of
held your breath when you came to
slippery stones or sharp turns. The
men are marvellously sure-footed,
but they did dump me into a rice
field one day. / was reading away
quite unconcernedly when suddenly
realized that something was wrong,
and before / even had time to be
scared over I went, chair and all.
The mud and water nad no regard
for the fact that my steamer rug
is an especially cherished possession
because it came from, the Westtown
girls. That, and several other things
were gathered up out of the water;
and myself crawled out of the chair
into mud and water up to my knees.
Fortunately most of my things re-
covered when they were dried and
brushed; and, thanks to other peo-
Pies dry shoes, stockings, and steam
er rugs, I came off with hardly a
cold.
I did not find the chair at all I'M
comfortable for travelling; and for
once in my life had plenty of time
to read. Mary Naish did do
some writing in her chair but did
not attempt that. We walked on an
average about three hours a day. So
we were always ready for the nights
rest when it came. On two
days we climbed over regular noun
tain passes; and we always walked
when there were long steep places.
The chairmen think we are very
strange people to walk thus when
we are paying them to carry us.
We were on the road IL days but
in that time only had to spend two
nights in Chinese Inns. The first of
the two was the night after I had
fallen. into the rice field when
would especially have enjoyed a
clean warm place. But we got along
very well just the same.
The total cost of lodging for our
selves and all of our men for one
night in one of these inns was less
than so cents.
We had cook with us on the
road and he would rush on ahead
to a respectable inn and there get
our meal ready. Generally we had
a Chinese meal in the middle of the
day as it took less time than cook
ing our own foreign food. Before
many days had passed really en-
joyed my bowl of rice with sort of
sauce of chopped up meat and vege-
tables mixed with it for fiavoring.
AS for the chop sticks had already
had few lessons in their use in
Japan so that / did not have a great
deal Of difficulty with them. Posi-
bly, II you could ask some member
of the crowds which always gathered
around to watch us eat they would
tell you that we really did seem
somewhat awkward, and did not
hold our bowls up to our mouths in
the most approved fashion!
And now we are really in
Chengtu, and can we'll believe all
that people have told me about its
being the finest city in China.
have not seen Peking or Canton,
but it is certainly cleaner and better
than Marking, even though theyiatter
was the southern capital for long
time. think You could drive
through almost any street, here. ex-
cent that thew are nor naVed for