The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-10

Yes, I like America fine" said Miss
Lois Todd, a Chinese girl who has
come to America as the adopted
daughter of DIR. and Mrs. Paul Todd
1925 Garfield avenue. this city. The
Todds have been in China for the last
twenty years, coming home only once.
seven years ago. Doctor Todd is presi-
dent and chief surgeon of the Kung
zee hospital, literally the public hos
pitaA" in Canton. China.
Miss Todd looked very much Amer
icanfied," with the exception of her
waist. She wore American shoes. an
American skirt and a Chinese sham"
or waist, the neck of which was high
locing directly under the throat. She
uses perfect English and IS an accom-
plished pianist and violinist.
How She Was Adopted.
THE manner in which we adopted
Lois was a peculiar one said Doctor
Todd. Her mother, one of the better
class of Chinese ladies, came to the
hospital one morning, very sick. H IT
condition was serious, and we held no
hope for her recovery But she was
cheerful concerning her chances
While she lay in bed one morning she
called me to her bedside and asked
me if 1 wanted to adopt her daughter
Now, in the lower class of Chinese this
is not an uncommon practice, but with
the better class of people it is almost
unheard of. Not wishing to hurt the
woman's feelings I told her yes, but
did not take the offer seriously. She
continued to talk of it day by day, and
as her condition became more critical,
she finally asked me if I wanted to
meet her daughter, and she had Lois
come to the hospital the next day:
THAT was eight years ago. Well,
the mother told us that if we would
pull her thru. she would make us a
present of Lois, and asked her daugh-
to be our daughter. The girl replied
in the affirmative. Still we could not
believe it. and as my vacation was
drawing near, we decided to come on
home, and told Lois and her mother
that if, when we returned, they were
both in the same frame of mind we
would adopt the girl. We were in the
United States a couple of months, and
when we returned to Canton, Lois's
mother was very low. When she died
we took the girl. and she has been
with US ever since.
Just then Lois entered the room,
smiled, showing a row of cleaning
white teeth, and seated herself on the
arm of her foster fathers chair. She
is eighteen years old.
Papa" she said. IT think your
country is-do you say-great?"
Studies English Only Six Months.
Miss Todd has studied the English
language just six. months. During
that time she has completed the pri-
mary grades, and three years of high
school. at the same time becoming
remarkable musician. She will enter
Washburn academy this fall to finish
her high school education, also taking
piano, violin and voice in the music
department.
She is olive skinned. and dresses
her hair in the true American fashion
and it seems China must have copied
several American fashions-she pulls
her eyebrows.
DO all the Chinese society girls pull
their eyebrows?" the reporter asked
after debating the proIIriety of the
question.
ooh, yes" said Miss Todd,-then-
well, no, we shave them"
China Becoming Christian.
1.-THE Chinese as a whole are rap
idly abandoning their barbarous Gus
toms. and are entering into a new era