St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-09-15
A Chinese BOYS Gratitude.
He Shows His Appreciation to the Misses
Bartlett at Whose Home In Hartford He
Was Educated a Generation Ago.

Bartlett al whose home In Hart10rd he
Was Educated a Generation Ago.
The Pekin correspondent of the New
York Herald has a story in recent issue
which will be read with much interest by
our readers as the ladies, Misses
Margaret and Louise Bartlett, are the
ones that the writer refers to in his
letter. Miss Louise Bartlett was for
some years a resident of St. Johnsbury
and for several years librarian of our
Athanaum. The Bartletts start this
month for their new home with the best
wishes of a host of St. Johnsbury friends.
The story follows:
Sir Walter Hitler, foreign adviser to
the Chinese government, is looking tor a
home. The announcement of this fact
gave the Pekiu gossips, whose name is
legion, busy day or two for specula-
ton, and then even they were satisfied
that back of it there was to be found no
tale OF court intrigue, no evidence of
breach of relations between the officials
of the government and the Englishman
who year or so ago was brought back
from London by Yuan Shih-kai to hold
high position at Pekin. Sir Walters
removal from the house he now occupies
has nothing to do with intrigue or con-
siderations of politics, high or low But
the reasons for his change may be said
to be unusual, perhaps abnormal, since
the impelling influence is gratitude.
The facts furnish what in newspaper
parlance is known as very pretty
human interest story. The house where
Sir Walter has made his home since COM
ing to Pekin adjoins that ofhis excellency
Liang Tun-ven, president of the Wai-wu-
pu, and belongs to him. Mr. Liang's re-
quest that it be vacated is inspired by no
lack of consideration for his European
friend, but reveals rather more person
al consideration for an American woman
and her two daughters, who were his
friends in the days of his youth.
When, more than 80 years ago, LANG
went to the United States as one of the
first large consignment of government
sent youths who were to acquire the
new learning" it was his good fortune
to become member of the household of
III. Dbl llClL Vi lldl llOIQ, NJ
students were young boys in their early
teens, the officials responsible for their
selection wisely deciding that to get the
best results China should send youths of
that impressionable age. Upon their
arrival they were placed in American
homes-not in boarding schools-that
they might so far as possible enjoy the
benefits of home life. So it happened
that LANG and three Others became the
Bartlett boys.
With DR.. and Mrs. Bartlett these boys
found not merely a residence but home.
They were surrounded by all the loving
care that these good people gave their
own children-were always made to feel
that they were of the family. 1t was
good rearing, as the Bartlett boys have
demonstrated. All have done well.
While LANG Tun-yen has reached the
highest post yet attained by any of the
foreign-educated students, the other
three also attained posts of prominence
and responsibility. One has since died
Wang Kai-kah, who was commissioner
general to the St. Louis exposition.
Tsai Shoa-C is the customs taotai, at
Tien-tsin, one OF the most lucrative
posts in the empire. WI Yang Tsang is
one OF the head mining engineers at the
great Tangshan mines.
Some time ago it came to the notice of
DR.. Yung Wing, who has long made his
home at Hartford, that fate has not been
particularly kind to the Bartlett family.
The death of Dr. Bartlett and his son
and the loss of the family fortune through
unfortunate investments left the mother
and two daughters in anything but COM
| Portable circumstances. One of the
daughters is teacher, and the family
has nothing save her earnings. DR..
Yung Wing wrote these facts to the
Bartlett boys in China.
These first thought of a substantial
gift that would relieve their American
friends of possibilities of financial
anxiety but Mr.. LANG was afraid this
might look like charity. He had a
better plan. For some time Mr.. LANG
has been contemplating sending his
three children to America for their educa-
ton, but as they are young he felt it too
early for them to be separated from home
influences. The suggestion made by DR..
Yung Wing seemed to him to point the
way to happy solution of his educa-
tional problem and at the same time
permit him to give practical evidence of
his friendship for those who had exercis-
ed so great an influence in molding his
own life.
He at once wrote Mrs. Bartlett and
her daughters, offering them home and
ample income in return for their coming
to Pekin and taking charge of the educa-
ton of his children. They have accepted
and will shortly leave Hartford for
| China where thew a re to have the hnnne