The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-01-02
HEROIC WOMEN'S WORK.
Made Bags For Defense of Legations,
While Cannons Roared.

While Cannons Roared.
Lady Macdonald, Mrs. Conger and
the other ladies Of the legation offered
their curtains and portieres for use,
and the scissors ruthlessly cut up
most exquisitely embroidered draper.
les into sand bags, while those who
were in charge Of the Notifications
continually sent messengers asking for
"more, more" One Of the mission Ia
dies had just laid in new supply Of
table linen, and some of the native
Christians, finding it and knowing
whose 1t was, brought it to her. This,
with all like material, was used, as
were drawn-work linen sheets and
pillow cases, while bolts Of rare dam
ask linen were cut up without COM
junction. In fact, all sense Of cost,
and even sense Of beauty, seemed to
be lost in the eager desire to furnish
the means Of protection to human
lives. Besides these beautiful things
thus sacrificed there were also used
common materials, such as old Mon
col tents, hangings to Sedan chairs
and stacks Of old Chinese clothing.
These were cut out and sometimes
sewed by foreign ladies unused to
other than delicate work. However,
the foreign ladies were greatly assist
ed by the Chinese girls of the mission
schools, and by the women Of the fam
lilies of native Christians. OF the for
mer there were some $50. Beside the
supplies brought from the foreign
stores there were great rolls Of cotton
cloth, also of silk and brocade satin,
from Chinese stores. The Chinese at
their funerals wear special garments.
Many Of these were used, the long,
large sleeves being well suited to the
purpose of bag-making. 1t was con-
tinual surprise, that new supplies from
new sources came in each day as
needed.
The housekeeping committee and
those who worked in the diet kitchen
were particularly hard worked, being
constantly busy, and exhibited an in
genuity in planning and preparing ap-
petizing edibles that was marvellous.
The materials were horseflesh (called
pony meat, coarse wheat -four and a
dark -colored rice. These were the sta.
pie materials. There was a small
quantity Of canned meats, which was
used as an occasional relish. The
white rice and oil delicacies were re-
served for the babies and the sick.
One of the missionaries told me she
went each day to another part Of the
legation, in constant danger Of flying
bullets, to get slice Of white bread
for her sick baby. The woman having
the flour baked a loaf each day, not
for the use of her family, but for the
sick.
While there were three ladies on
the standing committee Of housekeep-
ing, all the ladies took their turns in
looking after the cooking, serving, ta-
BILE setting, etc. AS there were sew
enty in this family they were divided
into three messes. And it was neces-
sary to have three of each Of the
meals. AS the dining room was also
living and sleeping room, it required
much work to keep it in presentable
condition. One Of the hardest things
to bear was the utter impossibility Of
having quiet. There were times when
it was unsafe for any one to be out
side the building, and all work had to
be done with a large number in the
room. Outside was the roar Of artil-
lery; inside, three busy sewing ma
chimes, and women and children, and
servants at work, besides all the men
not required outside on the fortifica-
tions or at the mill. This constant
noise-and impossibility to be alone
was more wearing upon the nervous
system than any amount Of work.
Leslie's Weekly. %