Catoctin clarion., 1917-02-15
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY Is, 1917.
News From The Orient
Nanking, China, Oct. 8, 1917.

Dear Mother
When my trunks came last Friday
my delight knew no bounds. 1t seemed
like meeting an old friend. They had
been on the way since August goth, and
looked it too. You imagine how much
fun had unpacking them. Nearly every
thing carried well, but oh! the wrinkles;
however, they can be eliminated. One
special feature of enjoyment was box
of candy. 1t was not quite as fresh as
some have tasted. but it surely was
good Already have discovered mis-
takes in my wardrobe and idea OF dress.
must have some very warm clothing
made, for when it gets cold it is bitter,
biting cold Coal and coal oil are very
expensive, and wood still more so. The
common people burn hay to cook with
and have no heating stoves. The pupils
in our schools sit all bundled up in all the
clothes they can put on, layers and layers
of them. Therefore, we have no heat in
the Foreign schools. for it would cause
great discomfort and even illness to the
Chinese. am wearing a heavy sweater
and my military cape coat and am none
too warm.
Never again call these people "chinks. y
The Chinese students are very polite to
their teachers, a whole lot nicer than the
school kiddies are in America. True,
their customs in politeness are different
from ours, but they do live up to them.
Yet they are very eager to learn our
manners and like to initiate US; because
of their admiration for US. All this is
true in spite of the fact that the Chinese
race thinks itself superior to any other.
You would be surprised to see how many
Chinese are adopting various articles OF
American dress. The extremes seem
most popular. For some reason foreign
hats are considered treasures, and happy
is the man who can strut up and down
the street displaying one of them. They
do not take them off when they enter a
house, for it is considered impolite.
Especially do they like to sport foreign
shoes. American shoes are terribly ex-
pensive and English shoes, while much
cheaper, are abominably made. But the
Chinese boys are very proud to own a
pair of these ugly shoes.
In the Mission schools the boys and
girls are taught our rules of etiquette.
The Government schools are said to be so
evil that, though students receive free
tuition, board, clothing, and an allow
ance, many Chinese parents do not ap-
prove of them. So, in spite of the fact
that the students must go to church, and
must study the Bible at Mission school,
because of the much better education
and good care they receive, and the ex-
cellent discipline, the parents make all
kinds of sacrifices to send their children
to these Mission schools.
American mail came today-eleven
letters for me from the U. S. A. | was
so elated that my exuberance of JOY
rather startled our "boy," who evidently
thought was mentally unbalanced.
There is great deal of excitement in
the air 1t is rumored that on Oct 10th,
the fifth anniversary of the Republic, a
rebellion is to take place in Nanking, an
attempt to restore the Manchus. The
soldiers have been drilling diligently and
the people are considerably stirred up.
We have been besieged by merchants
who are very anxious to sell cheap rather
than to risk having everything carried
off as loot. Marking has suffered dread
fully on several occasions. However, we
are hoping there is nothing in this rumor
and are looking forward to the big Ian
tern procession which all the city schools
are to have.
October II, 1917.
October 10th is over and no up
heaval. l was greatly (?) disappointed,
/ had told Miss w. that | would guard
our little compound with gun. But she
laughingly told me that | might be only
too glad to sit in the Consulate with the
Stars and Stripes floating over me, and
let somebody else guard me with gun.
However, much to the relief Of the pop
ulace Chang Haun started nothing. Yes
terday we hung out two huge flags, "Old
Glory" and the Chinese flag. On the
second story porch we hung five lanterns,
the colors of China. Our neighbors were
delighted, and the policeman on the beat
has begun giving US military salutes.
All the Government employees and schools
had holiday, and in the evening the
schools held their lantern procession,
which was the most beautiful and unique
! have ever seen. There were large Ian
terms of the five Chinese colors with
various characters on, others represent.
ing water melons, pears, roses, lotus
flowers, etc., gun boats, aeroplanes,
temples, trolley cars, but greatest of all
the immense dragons. 1t took twelve
boys to carry these huge affairs and it
certainly was novel sight to see this
great body come wriggling along in the
air, jaws wagging, tongue lashing, and
tail wriggling. You cannot conceive of
the brilliancy of it ALL Miss W. and l
,.,apt in r;oLba with tho Vica COnaul and