Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-27

While in Washington in 1898, /
that the Afghans were locking for te
for position in the physics depart
ment of Habibia College, in Kabul,
the Afghan capital.
After his marriage in 1910, he re-
turned with his bride and the Paynes
would probably be there still if the
war had not made their location in
the Orient little uncomfortable.
I'VE left this country in January,
1e40," Mrs. Payne related, land even
then woman were not permitted to
60 by China or Japan
The couple had an opportunity to
see a good bit of the Far East how
ever, before they reached their des-
tination.
I'VE stopped in Hawaii. the Phil
ippines, Singapore, Penang and
Bombay on the way" Mrs. Payne
said.
Having heard and read of the
wild people" of Afghanistan. the
young bride was bit nervous by the
time they reached Kabul.
"It took me about six months to
get used to the country" she said,
but found that the wild people
I had heard of were as tame and
friendly as they could be. And
they are wonderfully hospitable."
In Kabul she found city of con-
trasts-with ancient and modern
scenes side by side.
Long, Flowing Garments
Worn by Women.
you see men riding donkeys and
others riding automobiles" she re-
called. There is very modern bank
and one business street of modern
buildings, but there are lots of
bazaars still"
Especially interesting to Mrs
Payne we're the purdahs or burkas
worn by the Afghan women when
on the streets. She described them
as long flowing garments which
completely envelop the body, from
tip to toe. with an opening Of net
for the eyes.
They reminded me of ghosts,
walking about. but they are very
graceful. Some of the women look
lovely in them" she said.
There Is school for girls in
Kabul, where little black uniforms
and white wells are worn, she said
But when the girls leave the grounds
they, too, must put on their pur-
dahs.
Native Afghan women have no
part in public life and have no social
activities except among themselves,
she reported.
Men don't have harems," Mrs.
Payne declared, but they may have
four wives according to Mohamme-
dan law and Afghans are all Mo-
he nmedans.
Modern families frown on the
practice, however.
Lived Comfortably
In 5-Room Mud House.
The Paynes lived in mud house,
which was quite comfortable, with
five nice rooms and electric and bath
facilities, although baths aren't
common.
Life was very gay, in spite of the
fact that there were few public
amusement places-only one moving
picture theater and no night clubs.
Including residents of the various
legations there were about 300 for
eigners in Kabul and they make up
a cosmopolitan group which enter
tains constantly.
Both the Russian embassy and the
British legation had movies once a
month, and there was round Of
parties.
When her son was born. Mrs.
Payne went to the small hospital in
the British legation.
The youngster, by the way, is
called 'Kabul Jan" after the Afghan
capital The name, which means
dear Kabul," was given the baby
by DR.. Payne's students.
Everybody was very much inter-
ested In him." the mother remarked.
"Once met the Prime Minister and
discovered he, too, knew all about
Kabul Jan"
Lack Of Souvenirs
Her Main Regret.
The United States, incidentally,
established a legation in Kabul
early this year. and our military
attache. Maj. Gordon B. Enders,
made his home with the Paynes
until he could find his own living
quarters. Maj. Enders recently sent
them copy of his latest book, THE
Foreign Devil which he has writ
ten on Tibet and India.
Now living at 1929 Connecticut
avenue NV. Mrs. Payne has one
main regret when she thinks of her
life in Afghanistan-that she doesn't
have any souvenirs to remind her OF
the experience.
when we left things were quite
unsettled because of the war and
we were told we couldn't take much
with u.s. she said. ut turned out