Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1917-05-10
News From The Orient.
Marking. China. March 81, 1911

Marking. China. March 81, 1917.
Dear W.
Mail boat leaving tomorrow and
though do not have much of interest to
tell you yet l cannot bear to see that
boat go without carrying few lines from
me to the home folks. Today is the be-
ginning of our Easter vacation and l am
very glad, for not only is my brain trifie
weary but the hot weather has descend
ed upon US, and from experience you
know all about the hot weather hours in
the schoolroom. Tomorrow morning sew
eral of US are going to get up very early
and go out to Cherry Island in Lotus
Lake to see the sun rise. At present this
island, like other spots in Marking, is
beautiful and fragrant with the lovely
trees in bloom.
On Tuesday number of US are going
to walk around the city, distance OF
about twenty-five miles, and take our
lunch along. All day Wednesday the
University will have track meet which
will be very exciting. How | wish you
could see our boys play baseball. They
are regular monkeys, and certainly DO
get lots of fun out of it. On Thursday
we are going on little outing across the
Yangtsze to visit the railroad shops and
a very ancient city. Thursday is special
day in China Using Meing. The story
and the customs in connection with the
observance of the day, are very interest
ing. Long years ago young man OF
royal birth was kept out Of his rightful
property and lived life of poverty and
misery. A loyal friend devoted all his
his time, money and energy, and finally
succeeded in having the young lord $
rightful inheritance restored to him. The
rich lord forgot his friend entirely. (This
sometimes happens outside of China.
doesn't it?) The old friend grieved deep
ly and with his mother retired into the
depths of wooded mountain, where he
lived very sad life. Finally, some one
remembered him and his kindness, and
when they told the young lord he sent
out to find him. But when he was found
he refused to come at the royal COM
mand. Some one had a brilliant idea.
1t was suggested to burn the mountain
side bare, thus forcing the man to leave
his seclusion. Acting upon the suggest
ion, the fires were lighted and the man
burned to death. On this day, in COM
memoration of the man, the Chinese ha We
no fires in their houses. To prove that
there is no fire within they place branches
of willow over the doorway. They also
wear willow, thus reminding one of a
Palm Sunday observance in some locali-
ties. This is the day on which they 60
out and clean up the graves, do ancestral
worship and take little outings into the
country. Last Saturday we visited the
Marking Mint. This is said to be the
third largest in the world. The president
took US through and made the trip very
instructive and interesting for u.s. We
had the pleasure of seeing the die for the
new fifty cent piece that is shortly to be
coined. They have not had this hereto
fore, and it is one of their first steps to-
wards making money exchange on a
Mexican dollar uniform. School cl oses
June 10th, and then l 60 to Kuling and
probably to Yochow, where the mission
meeting is to be held. On the next boat
l am sending you box of real Chinese
candy. Tell me in what condition it
reaches you and how you like it. Love
for all