Putnam patriot., 1912-12-06
@'" Windows Byron D. Bugbee

main entrance, uspended ike kettle
from the top of three poles, hung an
immense bunch OF tirecrackers.
The afternoon service opened with
the singing of America by the audi
ence. Indeed America was popular
all day for it was heard all over the
Compound from early dawn, first in
one school and then in another as they
practised 1t. After an address, the small
boys rose in body and sang America,
most periodically. The closing piece
on the program was America played
by the band. There were several adj
dresses, a song by the Girls School,
and of course the band played March
ing 'rhro Georgia. That piece is con-
sidered appropriate even for Christ
mas. The moment the service was
over the impatient crackers made
themselves heard, much to the delight
of the younger generation, | never
knew how deafening firecrackers
could be till heard big string put
of in really Chinese style.
The hours from three to five O'Clock
were spent by the different schools en-
tertaining. a number of us went first
TO the Girls school, which was more
deliberately decorated than the chapel.
The ubiquitous firecrackers were re-
joicing there too. The girls, dressed
in their best, served sweetmeats and
tea. Tea is always served in China,
minus milk and sugar, in wee, wee
handless cups that Americans would
think fit only for dolls playhouse,
but il is polite to take three or four
cups so We bow each time and say
"Kam- asia or thank you as we re-
place the cup and take another using
both hands for the transaction.
Chinese tea is delicious. Unchristian-
lied Chinese do not wash the cups,
but in "A mission school | never fear
am using The unwashed cups that have
just been used before me.
In the midst of the ceremony,
most unexpected thing happened. The
teachers and students of the Boys
School came in body and seated
themselves for tea. For Old China ii
would have been most scandalous
thing to do. The missionary in charge
was far from pleased; the girls dis
appeared like magic. Some of them
did arise TO the occasion and came out
to serve their unlimited guests, but ii
was no easy thing for a Chinese girl
to do.
Next we went 10 the Noman's
School for tea and candies. While
there who should appear but the Theo-
logical Seminary students in body
with their venerable faculty They
seated themselves and the women
involuntanly fled TO a back room.
Soon few of the elder ones came out
and served the gentlemen. Then it
dawned ON us that ii was New China.
These were the people that once sat in
church with PARTITION in the midst
to screen the women from view. Now
tilC tttStl idd tttS W taRA
aud 10 invite the women 10 take tea at
the Seminary. After the visitors had
gone the women had fiocked in and
one of the women showed she was of
New China too. \ real college girls
prank il was. She was dressed in
scholars long gown, large hat, wore
false mustaehe, and acted her part
well to the huge entertainment of the
less daring ones.
The visiting continued from Sc
minary to Academy, from Academy to
the Small Boys School. Ii was
never-to, be-forgotren day. The joy,
the patriotism, the thanks TO Siang-T,
the Supreme Ruler, were good 10 see.
May God bless the New Republic
MAUDE EDITH CRUFF.
swallow, China. Oct. 10, 1912.