Catoctin clarion., 1917-09-06
News From The Orient.


Yochow, Province of Human, China.
July 6, 1917.
Dear M
On reaching Hankow found that
the boat had left for Yochow just one
hour before, and that no boat stopping
at Yochow would leave until Sunday
morning. After short time l met two
ladies who know G. we'll, so l was saved
from utter loneliness.
Our boat was expected to reach Yochow
at three or four o'clock in the morning
so sat up all night and at $50 my time
had come to disembark. The boat did
not stop, just cut off power and drifted
along while hoped into little Chinese
boat Rev. H., Gertrude and Mary M.
had come out to meet me, in fact had
been waiting since midnight. The lake
was alarmingly rough, in fact they say
thew have never seen it in such condition.
We were almost an hour trying to land.
Great waves tore away heavy planks put
down, the boat was swept out and away
time and again. Finally we managed to
make landing at place further down
the coast but were soaked to the knees
and were compelled to crawl through a
coal house and tea house. But after
all it was fun and | didn't mind it one
bit. am delighted with the place. In
the compound is DR., AS. home and the
hospital, the Girls school, which is Won
derful for China, so well planned and
convenient; the chapel. Rev. HIS. house,
then ours, and across from 1t another
house. where we do not know who will
live next year. The others live at Lake
side, four or five miles away across the
lake and not easy of access. In our house
live Miss F., Mary M. nurses, Helen A.,
Gertrude and myself. Miss T. has adopt
cd darling little Chinese girl, an orph-
an, about four years old. My, but you
would love her.
Kuling, July ll.--On Sunday afternoon
we left Yochow. Spent all day Monday
doing Hankow, leaving there Monday
evening. Our boat reached kinkiang
the next morning, 80 after arranging for
transfer of baggage to Kuling, chairs to
take US up the mountain. etc.. we cross
ed the lake in sampan and were just In
time to catch the motor bus now runs
from Kinkiang to the foot of the mount
aims, about ten miles. That mountain
climb was wonderful. can't even be-
gin to describe it. Imagine, if you can,
a mountain between $500 and 1000 feet
high. very steep and overlooking lovely
river, lake, and beautiful valley. The
ascent was wonderful. There is one
place, where as the coolies turn a sharp
curve, your chair hangs out over moth
ingness of several thousand feet. 1t is
beautiful orce on the top, you are up
above the clouds. Yesterday thunder
storm was coming and in just few min
utes we were right in the midst of a
cloud, you couldn't possibly see more
than few feet away. A quarter of an
hour later and the storm was all below
US, and you look down on the great
clouds. This morning when ] awoke and
looked out, stretching from my window
sill out to the horizon seemed to be one
great plain covered with snow, but it
really was just an ocean of clouds. Right
now the view of the lovely valley is hid
den by field of snow bank clouds. While
the mountains are green and very beau
tiful, the lack of trees is pathetic.
July 12.- Yesterday l went down into
the valley and was caught in one of the
rains I've heard so much about. In a
few minutes the khaki suit l wore was
wet through. the water was running
down me in small riverlets. My shoes
became so uncomfortable that took
them off and went barefooted. l see
now why everyone says there's no rain
to be compared to Kuling rain. We
are going on picnic today to the scene
of some ancient incense mill.
July 18th
was surprised to wake up and find
myself living after yesterdays trip. We
visited Emerald Pool, one of the lovely
spots of Kuling, the big trees, two mag
nificent cryptomaria and gingko tree,
and the incense mills. We took dinner
along, played games, went in swimming
and had jolly time. On the way back
we climbed one of the steepest noun
tains ever. 1t is equal to about six
Chimney Rocks. mean the Thurmont
Chimney Rock. Its been a long time
since have had such a climb, and not
being acclimated to the high elevation Of
Kuling l had an awful time. As you
know l never yet suffered from any kind
of walk-considered the walk from Boons-
boro to Frederick and return just pleas
ant jaunt-but this climb sure got me.
Received letter and package from
you today. All the little things needed
and greatly appreciated. The little bone
collar buttons that the laundries stick in
free are so cents dozen out here. A
pair Of common twenty. Ave cent white