Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1917-06-14

carving banners, next were men carry
ing fire crackers and candles, and then
came the decorated sedan chairs in which
the IDOLS were being carried. At first
thought it was some ancestral worship,
but the bystanders told me they were
imploring the gods for rain.
We began new schedule at school to-
day session begins at 7.SO promptly.
closes at 1890. This is to lessen the
danger of sunstroke, for while we have
not vet had the real unbearable days,
this is the time of year when the heat is
intense. The rainy season has not yet
come, and unless it does come soon there
will be great suffering. But although
the rain has not come the tremendously
high winds have.
Last Thursday had one Of the worst
experiences of my life. Just as school
closed the terrible wind burst upon US.
It was almost impossible to make any
Roadway towards home. l had thought
of stopping in one of the houses along
the way, but when saw the little Chi
nese houses being tossed about l decided
to keep on the homeward path. l ate
dust until thought l would strangle;
my ears. eyes and nose were SO full ! was
in agony. Shortly before reacha I'd home
short downpour of rain came, just
enough to spatter person. white clothes
and making them look as though they
had ploughed through mud puddle. 1t
took more than an hour to rid the various
parts of me from the real estate collec-
ton. Today the wind grew very high
again and vowed that before l would
have that experience repeated | would
stay at home, and as the Chinese say
when blue or unhappy, "eat bitterness. !"
must tell you about our enjoyable and
interesting trip last Saturday. Forty of
US took two Chinese boats and went down
the Yangtsze to the Twelve Caves. The
trip down the river was lovely, and when
caught sight of the green hills, the first
real green I've seen since left the u.
S. A., real honey looking one, ] felt
something very peculiar in the region OF
my heart and felt like jumping into the
river in my anxiety to get on those hills.
The most interesting of all the caves is
entered through Buddhist Temple, and
steps lead up through this winding cave
to the top of the mountain. As soon ts
we reached the darkest spot there came
the feeling that the cave was beginning
TO fall in on US, which wasn't such an
agreeable sensation. At the top was an
other temple from which we had a fine
view of the surroundings, When we
came back to the entrance the priests
had brought out their dainties and were
serving hot tea. The latter was very
welcome to US. Then we walked out to
the end of the peninsula, passing several
fern and moss-covered caves, visiting
two more temples, passing through a
very ancient village, and finally upon
re aching the outskirts of the village
found we were on the highest peak of all.
OF course we went up to the top Of the
pagoda on the summit and there were
rewarded for our exertion. The view
was wonderful. The green rice fields,
the winding river with the picturesque
junks and households on its surface, and
the quaint little village at our feet, where
the people had ceased from their labors
and come out to stare UP at US, noisy,
queer-looking "outside country folks. |"
Leading off from the city was a splendid
broad stone road and just on the brow of
a gently sloping hill was an artistic arch.
1t reminded me of my Caesar days. |
imagined some of the roads he built so
long ago must look lot like this splendid
time. marked one. We followed the river
bank back to our boats where we did full
justice to an appetizing supper.
Next Saturday we expect to 60 to
Chinkiang and visit the Golden and Silver
Islands and large monastery there.
In my next letter will tell you how
to have the Chinese tea for the Mission
airy Society, and will also send the tea.
Love. Write often.
Ever affectionate