The Washington herald., 1908-04-26

spirit. It may be that some poor pick
aninny is hungry. having breakfasted on
rice water; IL may be that some sad
hearts are beating beneath the gay
kimonos, and-and-it may be that some
one is longing for home and loved ones
with an intense longing that refuses 10
lie satisfied, but If So nobody knows IL
and on the exterior everything is serene.
We take a drive Immediately after fn-
ishing the song Manila is certainly en-
fete-every building Is decorated with
flags and bunting. at the Eiks' Club they
are firing off hundreds OF packs of fire.
crackers to tie delight Of a crowd OF
street urchins, who assist with their
whoops and yells 10 add 20 the general
din, while the Luneta is filed with
mass of pleasure seekers. the native
Filipino loving nothing so much as a
fiesta, and gladly taking part in any
extra holiday that the Americans may
choose TO introduce; and all natives now
look forward TO July with as much
eageTness as any young American.
When we return home we find several
large packages, most prominent OF which
IS bundle containing candles, nuts, and
raisins from Kwong on Long, our Chinese
q
which evidently wishes US many happy
returns of the day. Spanish gentleman
by the name OF Videl has been taking
hts meals with us and We made up a
little package Of handkerchiefs and neck
ties for him, as we all have our presents
at the breakfast table. He Is apparently
delighted and evidently appreciatiYe. as
soon after taking his departure a basket
containing six pints OF Mumm's extra
dry is left at our door with his card.
Every one has left and We are getting
ready to retire by 1920 2. N. It has been
a great day. / have been at times iubi-
lant, melancholy, OverjOyed, depressed,
homesiek, and content. Our dinner was
a masterpiece Of art-the turkey never
looked so handsome in life as when he
appeared done TO a turn in the center OF
the festaI board He was served with real
oyster dressing and gravy such as mother
used to make. Fruit salad containing
papaya, malaga grapes, raisins, oranges,
and bananas, with may0Enaise dressing
fried oysters Just like those at home
(they come frozen in the ice), vegetables
too numerous 10 mention. hot biscuit that
would fairly melt in your mouth. minCe
Die, plum pudding, vanilla ice cream with
preserved strawberries on top. chocolate
cake, fruit cake. candy. nuts. everything,
down to the brass finger bowls and native
cigarettes, helped to make a triumphant
and epicuTean delight.
Everybody talked and ioked and was
extremely hilarious, but no one men-
toned home or absent loved ones The
subject was tabooed as one that cOurted
disaster, until at the close Of the feast
We all stood and with glass in hand
pledged our glorious native land and our
beloved home land, which toast brought
the tear TO many an eye and pang TO
AL hearts. no matter how calm an out
ward appearance was preserved.
From then on until now, as I sit with
pen in hand jotting down the incidents
OF the day. it was one continual round OF
| pleasure. Our first Christmas in the Phil
| ippines has been a great experience, full
of joyful happenings. not unmixed with
heart aches; but, I repeat. a great ex-
| perience. l. ,. 6EE,
Paymasters Clerk, Manila, P. I.