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if they do not rent to them. After they get in they open up houses of ill fame and then the neighbors move out, especially if the neighbors are foreigners, and that gives them a chance to have little communities which they want. Prices of food stuffs, especially the kind the Japs like - fish, foreign cabbage, potatoes, meat etc. are just double the former price.

Arrests are still going on daily without any excuse whatever. Mr. Timothy Liu of the Anglican Mission, a very noted man connected with the China Christian Council, was taken. It happened that the three newly inaugurated Chinese officials were attending a dinner at which a number of foreigners were present. Mr. Edwards informed Wang Ko Min of what had happened. He jumped up and said, "I have two boys in the Ch'ung Teh (Anglican) School, I will see that he is let out tonight". And he was But most of the poor victims do not have a "friend at court".

Mrs. Lee is still a prisoner in her home; she has cabled for her brother and hopes he can protect her and her property in some way. He is an American citizen. Mr. Lee is in Changsha where Tsing Hua college is holding forth. A letter from him this week saying they had an air raid, one of their professors was killed; a wedding was taking place a few doors away, the bride and groom were killed and forty of the assembled guests. The college is thinking of moving still further away.

Mr. Moyer left for Taiku on Wednesday; I traveled out with him and he has been waiting to get back ever since. An American Consul and a Jap officer accompanied him as far as Shih Chia Chuang, they are to investigate the capture if not the killing of three Brethren missionaries at Shou Yang. I know the Harshes well; they are new comers, just left the Language School in the Summer. Fenchow has been heard from, the soldiers did not get to that place; they knew nothing about Taiku. However, the Japs say they are alright. Mr. Moyer has a pass only to Shih Chia Chuang and will try for another one from there.

You will have heard of the train from Hankow carrying hundreds of foreign refugees to Hong Kong which left on the 31st. Mrs. Shaw and children were aboard. Kuling School closed and all evacuated from there and points along. She hopes to get passage up here as soon as possible. They say that Chiang Kai Shih made a wonderful speech over the radio at Christmas time. It was the anniversary of his release in Sian. I believe he was saved for such a time as this. But what a year it has been for him!

I was a bit frightened the other day when the manager and three assistantsof the Chung Foo Bank were taken by the Japanese. We do not know what it means unless they think they can get some money out of it. It is a rich family bank. I have some deposits there. I have a fixed deposit due now at the Kin Cheng Bank where Jimmy Chuan is manager. The Banks have a rule since the trouble started to allow a withdrawal of only $200 a week aside from interest. I said I wanted to buy gold in case we had to leave. Jimmy asked me to come again and see him about it, he said if I could say that I was needing it badly he would make an allowance without a question. Of course the banks have to protect themselves. The Banks are having four days holidays.

Our weather thus far is milder than usual. It did touch 13 one morning before Christmas but has been about 20 ever since. I hope we get through without zero weather this year. The girls are skating thru vacation, school opens tomorrow.

The Japanese say that Dr. Ferguson is the best friend they have in the city. He takes the patting on the back with many smiles and bows. I am glad it cannot be said of me. I do not want to be friends with them.

Home

January 9th, 1938

Dear Ruth and Isabel,

On the

what a wonderful surprize it was to
right and the only trouble is that we
just perfect and the colors are
I have ever had. I do thank you
to and the kindness which went into
stockings were a life saver for
ly dressed in light shades

sisons and summer. The heel cups are fine and the safty pins and elastics.

What a splendid memory you have for all our needs.

The girls are so happy with their dresses, stockings and hats! they are a great boon to me for they are growing fast both Jane and Nancy are three inches taller than a year ago and Peggy though she eats very little grew nearly that much.

I think Mother's dress lovely and just the thing for her. I shall get as much good out of her plant food as she will. The gloves are just right, and will help out the truso BECAUSE

Kathryn is marrying the brother of Dorothy March, David Rowe perhaps in April. She became engaged New Year's Eve though she did not tell us till the 7th. Mother and I were both surprized for though she has seen a good bit of him the last two months we did not think he was serious. As I understand it he graduated from Princeton, took his masters degree in California, his Phd. in University of Chicago and some work in Harvard. He is here on a Rocka feller fellow ship and his first year will be up in August. He has told Dr. Hummel that if he has a position that they want him to fill he will leave here otherwise he will give him another year here. I believe his line is political science of China. It is the best thing which could have happened to her and it will put her in a good community of intellectual people and as she likes to do the social stunts she will have scope for her talents and should be a good deal of help to him. He is steady, intellectual, reserved, some what conceited. His personality does not draw people. I must qualify this description by saying that this is the way he strikes me and I do not know him well. Kathryn could never have done any better and since he was born in Nanking of M Missionary parents at least their background is the same and their taste is mutual for they both have no desire to follow in their parents path. A six years quest is ended and when we compare David with the A.P.C. men and BAT men and the other salesman we are well satisfied. Whether she is radiantly in love with him I dare not say, at least she enjoys being with him very much and they have bowled at the Y.M. frequently, and they have been on several parties together, and together nearly every week a time or two. This friendship is a little over two months old. She says that she will teach next year if she is in Peking, which is a good thing for it will give David some quiet for his lessons. David wears a small mustache and is good looking. Kathryn is very pretty and always dresses becomingly and manages to get every thing she wants, so all in all she ought to be very happy and I believe she will be an asset to him. She is bright enough to learn the things she does not know such as sewing, pressing, housekeeping and cooking. Here she never takes a step with out a ricksha, and has the servants wait on her hand and foot. She has made a success of her teaching and is well liked. She works four and one half hours a day in Peking and plays the rest of the time. He has his own home just beyond the Salvation Army training School, not so far from the Chuan's home. Poor M.M.X. Mother is nearly swamped with entertaining and engagements. Was responsible for a Brotherhood luncheon Saturday and had previously invited all the missi Mission to supper on the 26th. Of January and has the responsibility of a Guild tea, and an announcement party on Thursday for Kathryn. Mother is trying to tell me I ought to go to the U.S.A for a change but I think I am needed right here for if Mother breaks down we will be in a bad fix. A wedding will take a lot of planning even if it is simple.

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This Morning Mother and I went to the German Hospital and called on Hulda's Mongal girl who is a sister of Chak Chim whose Ruth helped or trained. Then we called on Mrs. Ferguson, the cold weather is always hard on her, but she is as cheerful and beautiful in her quiet way. She was radiant over the things which Florence sent for their Christmas and so grateful to Isabel for making it possible to send them. She asked us to send her love to you. Then we stopped to see Mrs. Hoose for she has had an awful strain with Harned sick with Typhus. Harned will probably come home this week he sits up in bed. Mr. Hoose fails slowly and steadily and his son's illness has told on him. Mrs. Hoose is so happy over Kathryn's engagement, and so is Mother. We feel it is an answer to my prayers. Last Spring she was determined to leave Peking and only by dint of much anguish did I persuade her to fill her Peking American School contract and teach here this winter.

Thursday Miss McGrow died Thursday after a long illness, you may remember that she had an independent mission and was from Australia. Mother had promised Major Stranks to attend the funeral but now she finds she can't make it so I am going to appear at the funeral to take her place.

Beatrice is ever so good to help with the designing at the Exchange and I am exceedingly grateful to her.

Catherine Wolfers has left for the U.S.A. as she has only 31 white blood cells and no amount of treatment will change the situation. So the doctors say she must not stay in China this Spring when there is the usual danger of infectious diseases. I believe she goes to some place in Michigan which is famous for its blood chemistry and corrective work. Hope to return in summer

Mrs. Shaw radioed that Elenor was put into the hospital in Hong Kong with pleurisy, departure postponed indefinitely. What a time she is having!

Peggy has a cough due to a bronchial cold, and every time we think she is better she runs out with out a cold or works in the store room which is unheated or some other crazy thing which we can't anticipate. We had 7 degrees above, four days ago so it is cold, though better today.

Che brought me some la Pa Ghou this morning and on Xmas sent me two poinsettas.

Your letter of November 29th came tonight. Isabel and Ruth yours posted the same date though we had received A much later letter from you which you had marked VIA SIBERIA. Seems to me it was dated Dec. 9th. No question that the Via Siberia helps the speed. So glad that Jim is thriving and that all goes well with you.

Mr. Gailey comes to church regularly and to call often, Mrs. Gailey is not so well or is taking extra good care of her self, I am never quite sure which.

Mr. Mouland has been sick in the hospital for a long time.

Mr. Snite sent a thousand mex for Miss Hays and me to spend for him at the various charitable bazaars and ship him the goods. Wonderfully good of him to remember us in his present maze of duties and responsibilities.

Well I did not know I could write so much when I wrote only last Sunday but I suppose it is due to the fact we had an engagement in the family. Saw Mrs. Sickman this week she was delighted with her stockings. We were talking of The big funeral we shall attend next Sunday. Er Yeah's mother.

George and I went out for a little while this afternoon, since his sister came he has less time.

Mr. Fette is desperately ill with a kidney infection, Dr. Sia told Mrs. Hoose that he only had 50% chance of getting well. He is delirious and fell out of bed yesterday. He is in the PUMC. The latest story Miss Tom is circulating is that Miss Hodgeman plans to return.

New Orleans, Louisiana

October 21, 1941.

Dear Mother;

Ever since I returned from vacation I have been working on plans to
invest the money you sent me from the sale of the property in Peking.

As you know, I do not feel at all competent in money matters, but
since you have placed the responsibility on me, I have gotten the
best advice that I could secure.

I asked one of the managers of Touro to help me make a plan for you
and he in turn sent me to a broker who handles investments for Touro
and for the Jewish Childrens' Home. Both of these men are well known
and highly respected in financial circles here.

Part of their advice I have checked with an insurance company where
I myself have a policy in order to give very thoughtful consideration
to this problem. So much to show you how I have gone about this
matter.

We have tried to devise a plan of investment which yields an income
for you to live comfortably in this country if you choose and yet
be safe. Government bonds yield at most two and nine-tenths per cent.
I have already bought you four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) worth of
series E bonds before I received your drafts from the sale of the
house. They will not yield you any income for ten years, but could
be sold in a few days if you should need any large amount of cash.
It seems enough to put into Government bonds.

Municipal and State bonds are selling at a very high premium. One
has to pay from one hundred to one hundred fifty dollars for a one
hundred dollar bond of this type. Therefore the interest on these
bonds is very low. That is the type of bond which I should prefer
to get for you but I am not doing it. I have gotten you instead
two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) worth of City of Houma 3% refunding
paving bonds, bought at 101⅓, and paid $2,030 plus $32.33 interest,
making the total $2,062.33. While this is a municipal bond, it is
callable at any time and therefore not so popular with the banks and
sells for only 101⅓.

The second purchase is 1,000 Alabama and Vicksburg Railway bonds 5%
purchased at $91.50. Principal $915.00, interest $20.56, making a
total of $935.56.