Catoctin clarion., 1918-03-21

Several weeks ago some packages caiiie
and Gertrude put them away and gave
them to me early Xmas morning. am
so pleased with all these beautiful re-
membranes.
We have been through time OF serl-
Gus dangers and all sorts of lnconven-
fences. Now the expected battle may be
averted, but conditions are still quite un-
pleasant. The compound is guarded by
soldiers. have only been outside three
times since Thanksgiving and then had a
special escort of soldiers.
One day we were invited to Chinese
Feast given by very fine people who nave
a daughter in our school. We went and
returned with our sol!ier escort, and were
glad for them. We had delightful time
at the feast (which was next to the high
est of feasts given) consistingof rare sea
foods as some of the main courses.
wish could remember all. but just now
can remember only two delicious sea
cucumbers and sharkfns. After the feast
we were taken through an adjoining
bulding-a pawnshop. This was fascl-
mating. One has to go through labyr-
inthian ways before he enters the shop,
then there looms up before him a counter
twice the height of man. The clerks
climb up on platform behind the coun-
ter and look down on the customers.
There are only two of these shops in the
city, and they are distinguishable on the
landscape by their high towers. From
the top of this one we had fine view,
but didn't envy the night watchman
whose business it is to sit up there all
night beating constantly on followed
out wooden log to let thieves know he Is
on the lookout. In connection with this
shop is beautiful garden, an eating
house in fact Within one large walled
space is an individual community set
apart from the whole city. They have
several dozen clerks. These men are on
ly allowed outside for half day each
year, are paid high salaries, given lots OF
amusement and kept in state of salts
faction. had a jolly time in the store
room playing hide and seek with dear
little six year old, who had never seen
foreigners before and who wanted to
play, yet was a wee bit afraid of the for
eign lady.
On Sunday we were very busy. The
school girls had collected a fund and
bought candy and cakes which they did
up in packages to give our Sunday School
children. So on Sunday afternoon we took
it out 1t was complete surprise TO the
kiddies and know you would have cried
with joy if you could have seen the hap
piness beaming on the faces of those
poor, ragged, dirty children who were re-
ceivng the first Xmas gift in their lives.
| stood at the door to march them out
and away as they usually loiter. But not
so this day. Each one bowed and thank
ed me as he passed out and then tearing
off as fast as his legs would carry him.
On Monday helped to make ornaments
rate the house, (the holly here is so beau
tifuD, trim the Xmas tree and tie up the
gifts for the servants and the school chill
dren. Helped H tie up her packages
for her women, etc, etc. At one O'Clock
came to school to help dress the girls for
the plays they were giving. After that
was over went to the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. H. where every Xmas eve they hold
a service for the children and light up the
tree. The children gave cute little play
in which | was the Santa Il wasn't the
cute part. From here | came down to
school and gave out the gifts. had so
much fun with some of the girls but 9th
ers were terribly scared. We gave
hair ribbon, handkerchiefs and some lace
to each girl. The ribbons and some hand
kerchiefs had been sent by friends in the
good old u. S. A. and Mrs. A had sent
the lace. The girls were so pleased, and
every one wore their new hair ribbon on
Xmas day. After playing Santa at sehool
was importuned to visit the Mems and
later the Women's Hospital had no
Xmas postals to give out so painted my
own and it was half past two on Xmas
morning when went to bed. At mid
night Alice played Holy Night on her
little Victrola.
M. P. F.
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Monday next is Maryland Day and
bol;Jou D,pL, ,u;ll ha olnood