Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-05-11
Mt. Sillnda, East Africa.
Conclusion of Miss Gilson's letter.

post came from Mulsetter, seven days |
journey, bringing letters to all but one oil
my European pupils.
One girl had present Of half a farm
from her uncle; another apound note from
her mother.
Reginald had letter from his mother
and large box of cake and toys.
Some of the girls had never hung then
stockings, so l had them all in row hang
ing from my bookcase for l feared they
might get wetii lett by the chimney, as
these matched roofs often leak.
The young people were up about five
o'clock to see their gifts.
1t was my turn to have the Christmas
Inner. have only part of my crockery
and the few sauceoans that l have are
very small, so that | had not thought | could
arrange for it, but found the other ladie,
would be glad to have me open my hut
We were party of 16 for we bad invited
young man of the South African General
Mission, who is in this region to establish
mission. He was glad to walk 40 miles
to eat his dinner with civilized people.
Quite recently police camp has been
established three miles from here. A Dane,
a Scotchman and an Englishman are there.
Unless we invited them they would have
no Christmas dinner. l think we were
amply repaid. They have only canned
meat and bread at the camp with the poor
est of tea, aud coffee that is nearly all chic
DRY. The young Scotchman was just
recovering from an attack of fever and at
-auoh times one has ravenous appetite. He
was gentlsmanly and not greedy at the
table but he evidently could not help look
ing as though he would like to devour
everything on the table.
My girls and l made the soup, mgozs
bread and plum pudding. l also furnished
almonds and Brazilian nuts. Mrs B. and
Mrs. T. made the white bread and cooked
the meats and vegetables except the anna
selwa, kind of vegetable marrow not I'M
like summer squash, which was the product
of my garden. We had roast fowls, roast
buck, rice, sweet potatoes and cucumbers,
pudding and custard pie RIEa T.,
From the mould and the monkeys | was
able to save one good watermelon out of
10 nice ones. 1t was very large and more
than sufficient for the party. Mrs. 7.
brought roasted peanuts so we had tire e
kinds Of nuts.
Just after dinner | served black coffee,
my graceful Hessie passing the cups. The
policeman said it did make such differ
ence to drink coffee from a china cup.
My china cups are part of tea set for
which l paid 1925 in England.
After dinner we went to the school build
ing which my girls had decorated with ferns
and creepers. The school children had an
exercise appropriate to the day which they
gave with much credit to themselves, |
thought, as only three were speaking the
language in which they were born.
Between three and four hundred pres
ents were distributed Of variety such as
am sure no New England tree saw-shirts,
| jackets, dresses, handkerchiefs, pig,
meat, soap, beans, book-bags, pencils,
cards, ribbons, neckties, fruit of the rub,
Der tree, hats made by the native evangel.
lists, thread, aprons, pins, pens and home
made baskets.
The two Zulu evangelists at Chicori came
over. We were disappointed that theil
wives could not come, but this is our rainy
season and it is a walk Of 20 miles. O.
course these men, their wives and childrer
we're remembered with gifts. There is {
Zulu evangelist at Mt. Silinda
Sunday we had the communion service
and four boys united with the church there
were several other candidates but it was
thought better that they should wait little
longer.
/ GU may like to hear about the journey
one of my boarding pupils had. He il
only nine years old and his home is 4
miles away. There is neither train no
stage coach. He was accompanied by hi
mother, three girls coming to the school,
young man as escort and IL natives ladel
horses and four donkeys. Three night
were spent in tents on the veldt. Poo
boy! | felt very sorry for him and ever
more sorry for his mother when they hat
to part. We all went out little way witt
them.
\ | have Just had two new huts made, ont
for European and one for native girls
They both cost 500.
January, 1898.
My birthday was celebrated in the fol
lowing manner. Preparations began tn,
day before when after supper my girl
politely asked me to remain on the verand'
for little time. Life is rather public in
} hut. Very quickly they made, baked ant
frosted two cakes, which | did not see til
the next day. l usually ring the rising
bell at 6 o'clock but this morning they
were dressed at $50 and with the Zull
boy, who is a boarder in the school, were
all singing very sweetly, Sing them ovel
again to me-" One Of the girls ther
brought me delicious cup of coffee.
After prayers they asked if they nigh
be alone in the dining room and when thu
bell rang for breakfast lovely decorations
were around my plate and on my chair. a
pretty cloth was on little table and or
that were bouquets, the cakes and envel
opes with cards from all the girls. Before
school, two of the little girls who made the
long journey up here with me, came bear.
ing a large tray prettily decorated OF
which were book, table cover, feather.
stitched by one of the little girls and Other
gifts.
Returning from school at noon, 1 found
tray from the doctors wife with fuschias
carnation pinks and roses and little of g
very nice fruit, pretty basket and nice
whisk broom.
From to 6 we were at DR.. rs where
we had afternoon tea and during this time
the native department Of the school were
busy and happy as they had fowl to cal
with their saga, in honor of the day.
l try to have the birthdays all observed
| 1850 loo oon xuox Nth <raaf ~ oftor