The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-06-09
NEWSF
THE NEAR EA'
Beirut, Syeria,
Monday morning, May 9,

Dear folks at home
Some how a letter from you ~
would make me feel very happy. ~
been trying to settle down to WI
to you but ever since we al IN
Thursday evening something has
happening to take up time.
know l have have been so ho1
occasionally coming down, in 81
the fact that Doctor Newton al
sic White my two best frien 7VI
here were with me. Some how
as though some of you were
trouble and now hope it is
foolish fear On my part. FRS
coming down met a Swede Wac
Travelled all over Norway. In tai!
to him l saw mother and felt som
the wonders of the lovely Northlan
which she came and wished with
my might that she and father W
here with me. She to see her hon
land and father to see again S,
places as he saw years ago, before -
dreamed even. He should not f;
them much changed. Cypress, Rhoe
! Adalia, Smyrna, Alexandria,, Mel-
sina Tripolie, etc., lastly beautiful
; Beirut of which l have heard him
speak. Beirut is much like Triliyond,
with it's tile roofs of rose and sweet
tinted stucco homes. 1t is not modern
at all. Everything is old and dusty in
the city. The city is in control of the
French government, who have I'M
proved the roads and streets. We
passed olive trees, sur O dry. to low
queer fiat covered roofs, arches, to
palm trees, cypress and pine. The
yard here is wonderful. live with
Mrs. Hoskins, a missionary whose
husband died recently, in the same
yard is chapel, Presbyterian
building and our headquarters, located
in the Theological Ich building. Here
are profusion of flowers everywhere.
Underneath the date palms: one sees
geraniums, for-get-me-nots, daisies,
asters, everything, while over the
arched entrance, hang clusters OF
roses, deep scented. 1t certainly
seems like the oasis we pictured as
children. I shall leave here tomorrow
for Sdon.
My work is going to keep me very
busy. l shall nave charge of the
boys orphanage for three weeks: then
take over the girls orphanage too.
This puts me in charge of 700 or so
Syrian children. I shall be busy no
doubt but that will be good for shall
be rather lonely. There are eight
Americans all told in Sidon: but am
the only woman in the Near East
there and besides two men. The 9TH
ers are missionaries. l am sorry my
children are not going to be Armen-
ian for l can talk Turkish rather well
(Which is their language) and l shal
not be able to learn Arabic in so short
a time. However l shall do the best
I can.
Miss White received message
from her mother saying she was BET
ter. she will work in the office here.
Doctor Newton went to Jeresulem,
Egypt, Cairo. etc., on his way to Ber-
lin to take up some new work IN med
icine. After a month in Berlin he VIII
be in New York City again:
I sent home with Cox's Shipping
Agency two boxes of stuff, my won
derful rugs, etc. I believe l shall
have them taken out later and if l
do I shall write instructions to Janet
Hodges to send them home to you. 1
hope that you are taking good care
of my books and things. You know l
am in hopes of having a home some
day, with mother and dad with me.
1 have hopes of being home or near
home by Xmas. My contract ends
Nov. Is. It is very peaceful here
No war or conflict.
Now 1 shall have to close this let
ter. I received one check from the
treasury department. The envelope
l am sending. The draft No.
54977O61, one month. That is the only
one have had out of 27 months, 50
I trust that l shall be able to find the
others coming to the bank. Am going
to bring Col. White something from
out here. I remember Mrs. White had
a weakness for shawls so may bring
her Persian shawl.
This city is full of missionaries.
who are all very good to us. Shall
have lot more to write when get to
work.
Best of love in the world,