Catoctin clarion., 1917-11-29
News From The Orient.
Yochow City. China,
October 5, 1917.

Dear Mother:-
Not am dead nor am ] Sleep
ing-if only you could see how wide
awake find it necessary to be. Here !
sit before class of twenty Chinese
girls, having a study period. They watch
me and l watch them, and don't get
much done but the watching.
What month this has been. l feel
about ten years older. The school girls,
as might be expected, gave me tryout.
and it proved very trying. They test
you out on everything just to see how
far you'll let them go. Then too, the
new dialect worried me terribly. 1t is
such a radical change, and at first could
not understand nor be understood. But
now that understand SO very much bet
ter | feel less blue about it.
We have some charming girls in the
school and the kiddies are SO dear. Will
tell you about them some time. Last
week Mary M. and spent the weekend
with the family of an official, several
miles from here. We went in sail boat
loaned by Chinese official, and it was
so windy it took three hours to make an
hours journey. Mrs. H., Mary and l
were terribly sea sick. You should have
seen the three of US lying out on that
Chinese boat, wishing it would 60 down
and end our miserable lives. To cheer
US up one of our party, who wasn't sick,
sat by and laughed and teased.
However, we reached our destination,
recovered our health and spirits, and had
a most delightfulvisit really wonderful
time. Such lovely walks and entrancing
views. In the lake is a very historic
island, and | believe it must be one of
the loveliest spots on earth. You will
find most interesting description of the
island written by one of our missionaries
in recent "Outlook." Be sure to read
it. One thing, among the many that we
saw, was the tea, once the favorite OF
an Emperor, all in bloom. 1t is not so
fine as it once was but it was the first l
have seen growing and was very inter-
esting to me- The flower is white with
a beautiful golden center, reminding one
of the flower of the May apple, only not
quite as large The chrysanthemums
and persimmons are on the streets and
we are still enjoying figs.
October 8th-Well! we've been out do
ing little shopping and how much ! en-
joyed it. 1t seemed like the old Marking
days. We've been very much excited
about piece of news. which of course,
may not be true. We were told that no
leather shoes can come out from Amer
lea. AS have but one real respectable
looking pair left feel rather uncomfort-
able.
October IA, 1917.
Dear M
Perhaps review of the events of the
week will be acceptable. Wednesday
was the anniversary of the birth
of the Republic of China, so of
course we declared holiday, as did all
government schools and institutions. On
Tuesday night we were invited to play
at the school, The girls had planned it
to entertain the foreigners. They COM
posed the play, made all the arrange
ments, did all the decorating, inviting,
ETC., themselves. Several called for
each foreigner, escorted US to the school
and back again. They had fixed up a
very nice "spread" for US, SO after we
had feasted awhile we enjoyed most in
teresting play. AS have told you, the
Chinese are wonderful actors, and you
cannot fail to enjoy their productions.
1t was amusing to see how the ones who
were not in the play watch US eagerly to
see if we were enjoying their play and l
am sure they were not disappointed.
Last week did not study with my
teacher, Mr.. Ding. On the Saturday
before servant had come and told him
his son was dying. 1t was his eldest son
who had been i'll with tuberculosis
year. He died, leaving two daughters
ard no son. This, in itself would be
tragedy. This is the second son who has
died and there is only one left. How
ever, this one has two small boys. and
one of these was given to the widow Of
the eldest son that she might have some
one to bow before his ancestral tablets
and perform the many rules. Mr.. Ding,
though for long time teacher in the
Lakeside schools, has never become a
Christian, but his eldest daughter, a
very lovely girl, in our school, is a
Christian, and before her brother died,
held prayer for the family. Outside of
this the funeral was entirely heather,
the banging, yelling, noisy, insincere
priests holding forth.
Oh! how pity the poor father. He
looks as if he had been i'll for weeks.
The first time ne came back the look on
his face got on my nerves 80 ! had to
send him home, and when went do wn
to school G. asked me what had happen
ed, that my face was a sight. These
things and others are what makes one 80
worried at times.
For example, bright young girl, an
unusually interesting character, entered
school last fall She is about fourteen