Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-08-13
LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD.
BY MISS JENNIE A. NELSON.
DEHRA Doom, NORTHERN INDIA,
Nav 2. 1872.


May 2, 1872.
The weather here is now almost as hot as our
July, but at night we have such dehghtful
breeze from the mountains that we can sleep
very well. Since the hot days have come, we
Get nm at Al O'Clock, commence School at 6, and
get through at III A. NJ, when we have our
breakfast, and then [ make the children 60 to
bed and sleep two hours. | forgot to say that
at 81 we have recess, and our "Chotd- HGgT1,
or little breakfast
have the charge of the whole School now,
and it requires much frmness to hold VI OF
these indians, but get on very well. To-day
had to show them off little to some othcers
of the Government, who are visiting the
Schools. One of the gentlemen was nephew
of Lord Lawrence, so was told. One was a
Colonel of Native Regiment who are the
guardians of the Doom. They are noble set
of men, who were true and loyal during the
Mutiny. In my next will give you an account
of Reception which was given them here
They have fine band, which plays on the
parade grounds every Monday evening, when
all the English people appear in full dress In
their carriages The young gentlemen and Ia
gay scene
The heat is becoming very oppressive. All
the old Indians complain greatly, but [ do not
feel it. They all say [ have brought American
zee with me. Every one says that the first sea-
son we are in India we do not feel the heat as
greatly as we do afterwards. This is the ex-
perience of all who have been here, and seems
very strange. The Hindoo word for Fan"
means an ''Air Maker"
| have for my company and assistance now
In the household affairs, (the Woodsides having
gone up the mountain,) very kind English la
dy, whose husband was an officer in the army.
She came here on visit, and when it was
found necessary for the family to leave, she
kindly offered to remain with me. She is an
intelligent, humble, devoted Christian, and we
are becoming very fond of each other.
To-day is a day of fasting and prayer for all
the American Stations and have no School
We had Hindustani service at Z this morning,
and will have prayer meeting this evening.
In former letter | spoke Of Ruth Robbins,
the little child your Sunday School are sup
porting, and that she would get one of the old
er girls to write letter for her to the Sunday
School. [ send you this just as it was written
bv one of the older girls for Ruth. She seems
to feel she has peculiar claim upon me now.
Her eyes look very large and bright whenever
she sees me, and she and her sister run to take
each of my hands whenever 60 into their part
of the building. They are very good children !;
q smile on their faces. I always have to ask
them which is which. This is
RUTH's LETTER.
NV Dear Friends Il have a little sister
named Eliza. We both are twins; we both are
fat and little, and are very much alike. Our
fathers name is Robbins. He is very poor and
support us. have little broad face, and a
little nose. We are seven years old. think
YOU have winter there, and all the trees are
bare, but here all the hedges are blooming very
nicely. The trees here in winter do not lose
their leaves. We are not fond of running a.
bout, but we are fond of playing with dolls
Here are great many fies They tease US
very much when We are eating our food. They
cut us very much. Here are great many birds.
They build their nests in the roof of my bed
room upstairs. They sing so sweetly in the morn
ing when we are in our beds. We have Dol
rice every day, and curry, and some chickory.
Many thanks for the money which you SO
kindly sent, for me to be supported. [ have
lust heard that, so [ thought to write you For
our breakfast we had rice and milk. | can
make rings and pretty bracelets. | have little
brown eyes Just now [ am making purple
ring for Auntie. There are great many dogs
here. They bite very hard. Mr.. Woodside
shoots many when he sees them. We have q
much. Few days ago the lightning fell very
hard here in "Khud." l think it has made
a great big hole. Please answer my letter.
remain your affectionate little friend,
RUTH ROBBINS.
The ''Dol' is kind of grain which is mixed
with the rice When cooked it is yellow, about
the color of sulphur The ''Khud' (cud) is a
dry bed of stream. It is filed with water
during the rains, but dry all the rest of the
year.
Ruth and Eliza are very fond of singing, and
Me-" bright Jewels, and 1--WE Are Coming,
Blessed Savior, they sing very we'll indeed :
[ am just teaching them There Il be something
in Heaven for Children to do They can re-
peat many verses from the Bible.
j. A. N.