Preview: A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm--Gold and Rail

Good News.
The sequel to a my historical novel, A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm is nearing completion. The novel follows a Connecticuit-born Yankee's adventures in Korea during the last years of the nineteenth century. The sequel finds the main character Josh involved in American-led gold mining, rail, and streetcar concessions. Rooted in actual events of the period, the novel provides deep insights to the social, political, and economic dynamics of the era.

Here's a preview from A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm--Gold and Rail

(From Chapter 2...Josh after a few months back in Connecticuit returns to Korea).

Dense fog covered much of the wharf as Josh and Hunt steamed out of the bay. Near shore, scores of sea lions barked, while gulls and terns overhead squawked. Better prepared for the Pacific voyage than his first trip five years earlier, Josh hoped to spend time developing skills at cartography or map making. The Yankee reasoned his sketching skills would provide the dexterity needed. Moreover, although Korean maps were long available, most of the recent westerner-style atlas drawings tended to detail the coastal areas and not the rural mountainous areas, especially of the North. In fact, in Josh’s first trip to Korea, he had noted the need for maps to aid traders and western commercial ventures. While in San Francisco, Josh picked up several books written by Matthew Fontaine Maury, a noted American oceanographer, geologist, and cartographer. Long hours at seas would be the prefect time for the Yankee to hone map-making techniques.

Like Josh’s previous trans Pacific crossing, the coast of Japan was seen nearly 16 days journey from America. Once in Yokohama, Josh stay was brief, seeking passage on the first steamer to Chemulp’o.

“Learn all you can about Korean gold mining…”
Josh steamed into Chemulp’o with mixed emotions. In 1895, he’d left his mentor Walter Townsend abruptly. Nevertheless, Josh reasoned that Townsend did arrange the New York City meeting. No doubt, Townsend and Morse had also discussed how best to appeal to the young Yankee sense of adventure…not to mention Josh’s knowledge of inland Korea. Still, Josh was unsure what feelings would surface upon returning to Korea. Worst still, Josh thought, with so much business centered in Seoul, how spending time in capital city and with the missionaries might trigger memories of Miss Seo. These concerns soon shifted. With the dock area in sight, Josh quickly prepared his belongings for debarking.

Once in the port, Josh waited as the ship anchored off shore, the bay’s dramatic low tides grounding any sizable vessel dockside. A blue dingy soon left the shore. As it drew closer Josh recognized Townsend and his daughter, Margaret, waving and shouting.
Once shipside, Josh boarded the dingy. Townsend and his daughter were obviously pleased; Townsend in unbridled enthusiasm shaking Josh’s hand almost to the point of capsizing the boat.

Calming both Townsend and the boat, the three waited as Josh’s luggage was hoisted onto the dingy. It was however, Josh’s Columbia Model #40 that drew the most attention—few bicycles making their way to Chemulp’o. On route, Townsend pointed to construction on Wôlmi Island in the bay. Beaming with pride, the merchant announced he had just purchased most of the island for a warehouse to store Standard Oil kerosene. Once on shore the trio headed to the foreign enclave and Townsend’s residence as Josh wheeled his bicycle downs the street to much attention and fanfare.

Over diner that night Townsend updated Josh on current events in Korea, most centering on Japanese moves to consolidate power on the peninsula. To the surprise of the Japanese, King Kojong’s February escape from Kyôngbok Palace to a safe asylum at the Russian Legation thwarted much of Japan’s efforts. Almost overnight pro-Japanese supporters in the Korean government found themselves at the mercy of mobs. The monarch protected by a company of Russian marines moved to restore his control over the government. Moreover, American legation head, Dr. Allen working closely with his Russian cronies began securing business for Americans, like Morse’s gold and rail concessions. For Townsend, it was a win-win situation--the Chemulp’o veteran a longtime trading partner with both the Japanese and Morse.

Townsend quizzed the young Yankee on how best to help his protégé over the next few days. Josh gracious for the offer hoped Townsend could spend some time to explain what he knew of Korean gold. Josh, too, hoped Townsend might spare general manager Cho Sung Dae to assist in travel preparation—travel into the North. Townsend smiled and noted, “he’d see what he could do.”

As the evening drew to close, Josh asked to be excused and turn-in for the evening.
As if on queue, a petite Margaret dressed in a striking kimono escorted Josh to his room. Unable in get a word in during the evening’s business conversation, Margaret took advantage of the opportunity to ask Josh if tell her more about America before he traveled for Seoul. Josh pondered for a moment and then rather bashfully smiled and said, “sure, they’d have time before the trip inland.”

For infomation on my books and A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm see http://www.bridgingculture.com

DS