Catoctin clarion., 1918-08-15
NEWS FROM THE ORIENT.
Kuling, Kiangsi, China,
March "a, 1918.

Dear Folks
Enclosed is copy of an ar
ticle which appeared in the Centrai oh,-
ma Post and gives an idea what happened.
They wrote US that one Southern macnine
gun was just outside our school gate,
that the girls crouched down in the nal,
during the battle of several hours ana
afterwards went back to work. Three
cheers for Mrs. Hemrichsohn and the
girls!
The compound is packed and jammed
with the poor scared people. They were
not allowed to bring in any possessions
except their sleeping covers. But al
excention was made in the case OF an
old woman who appeared with pig IN
her arms. Another family was seen SIT
ting on one of the porches, hen ana
one lone chick standing contentedly De,
side them. Another woman was founo
with her setting hens in wash basin.
l am teaching for brief time IN the
American school here but we are all
looking forward anxiously to going oack
TO Yochow, the sooner the better.
wish you could enjoy the lovely flowers
here beautiful, fragrant, Towering
trees, magnolias, daphne and exquisite
violets. The violets are especially beau
tiful and sweet. So many of OF our wiid
flowers at home seem to lack fragrance
while nearly all the Chinese flowers are
richly perfumed. There are also many
beautiful song birds here.
S. S. Ting Wo.
Indo China, S. N. Co.
April 4, 1918.
Last week when we heard that condi-
tions in Yochow were settled. we decld q
to start for home (Yochow) on Tuesday,
April End, and not say much about IT,
On Easter Sunday while on our way to
church we were wondering whether we
really could go uLtil we heard from the
Consul. After church came telegram
from DR.. Hoy telling us that the Consu
approved our return. We were just
about mentally unbalanced from JOY.
On Monday began the rush OF packing
for the trunks had to leave at noon. Inc
next morning we started on our ten mile
walk down the hill.
| had Just been reading your letter IN
which YOU wish for descriptive powers
to picture to me the glory of the snow
covered mountains, and | was wishing
for the same amount of ability to bring
to YOUR mind the wonderful beauties OF
this trip, The sun was very warm, but
there was cool breeze blowing. The
lights and shadows on the mountains gave
lovely effects. We walked along rather
slowly so we could pick some of the myr-
lads of violets white and purple, SO fra
grant that the air was full of their per-
fume. There were many flowers in
bloom, but loveliest of all were the many
trees in blossom, dark red peach, pear,
plum magnolia and many others. AT
the foot of the mountain we found the
scarlet azaea and orchids first beginning
to bloom and bridal wreath at its height.
When we reached the Kuling Estate rest
house it was nearly noon, so we ate our
lunch there and ordered chairs to carry
us the ten miles across the plain to Kin
kiang. The fields were glorious sight
with daphne, yellow mustard and fruit
trees. 1t was near Taing Ming, the day
when the Chinese all go to the graves,
decorate them, burn paper money. paper
houses and boats and offer up various
other sacrifices to the spirits of their an
cestors There were hundreds and hun
dreds of people walking the fields and
huge burying grounds and the graves
were very gay with many colored paper
decorations.
At one grave just ny the roadside was
a man worshiping. On the grave he had
placed tray containing several bowls OF
rice, several of vegetables meats and
several cups of tea and was kneeling in
the act of setting fire to the paper mon
ey. There was some kite flying but not
as much as in Marking last year.
However the real festival dav is not
until Friday, April 5, and this day has
also been declared the National Arbor
Day of the Chinese Republic.
We reached Kinkiang about three and
found note inviting US up to the Meth
odist compound for tea and supper. 1t
was splendid opportunity to see that
fine compound and its equipment. They
are doing a wonderful work. DR.. Mary
Stone has been ill with pneumonia, but is
better now. Phoebe Stone graduates
from Hopkins as M. d. this year and is
coming back next fall. She is a Goucher
girl, and | think Ruth knows her.
Our boat did not leave Kinkiang till 8
o'clock, and we reached Hankow about
5 next evening. We found that boat
was leaving for Ichang at the next
morning, and we could board her at any
time during the night. We had quite
rush to get all our business attended to,
tickets bought and baggage transferred.
The foreign stores were all closed, but
we went into the Chinese city, and to my
great delight, was able to buy several
wicker chairs. had been needing them
for some time.
The boat we are on now is so clean and
comfortable and we're so happy to be on
our way home. We will reach the port
about midnight and then comes the fun