Malinda K. Miller Diary

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Training College for Teachers and School for the Deaf

January 2, 1922 - Monday

We were all up early and off to the station at 7 a.m. to get to our places in front of the hospital, where seats were reserved for school children, in order [order] to see the Prince of Wales pass by. A train passed loaded with children from Kemmendine, but our local was late; however we reached Lanmadaw [Lanmadaw] shortly before eight and arrived [arrived] at the grandstand to find the blind boys occupying our space! After some manouvering we were crowded in - a really better position, so all's well that ends well. The procession [procession] was disappointing, but we all got a good look at "his royal highness [highness]" who passed between a heterogeneous [heterogeneous] collection of soldiers placed six paces apart. Then we waited a few minutes to see the crowd scatter before [before] going over to the convent to deliver a small 'parcel' to one of the nuns from Ceylon; here we visited the former German [German] Club, purchased by the order, as it joins their property, & I met an unreconstructed [unreconstructed] reble in the person of the

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only American member - a nun from New Orleans, out here forty seven years!

January 3, 1922 - Tuesday

Yesterday was the only holiday we've had from language school, but I took one today, going to the 'proclamation' on the race course where I took half a dozen snapshots, and at one time was quite surrounded by a crowd of Indian coolies who were much interested in my kodak [kodak]. Dressed in my best bib and tucker suitable to the occasion, which consisted [consisted] of my white dotted swiss, the pr. of white clocked stockings given me by Mrs. Elkin, the white milan hat donated by Mary Reid, a pr. of wht. silk gloves of mother's [mother's], gold locket and chain, bracelet ditto, pearl & diamond brooch, O.E.S. and D.A.R. pins, I sallied forth to the garden party at Government House. Being such a new arrival [arrival] I was not officially invited, but that bothered me not at all, as Misses C. and W. kindly arranged for me to go in with the Girl Guides, where on arrival we first had paper bag refreshments, and then Miss C. from C. and I went out among the crowd 'for to see' and be seen. We saw the Karen chiefs dance, a juggler with bamboo balls, & a famous pwe, with dancing girls

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dressed in beautiful turquois satin loongyis, white wired aingyies, beads, etc.

January 4, 1922 - Wednesday

I went back to language school this morning; there are so many other things I'd rather do than study Burmese. We began on the second chapter of John, sang a new song - The light of the world is Jesus' - and had a new lesson out of the primer; trying to make up for the time out Monday, I suppose. The prince, who is rather insignificant looking, left for Mandalay tonight. We are near enough to hear the band & see the lights of G. House. In fact ordinarily the paniwallah carries all our water from there; the premises are closed to him at present, & in consquence I've been rather short of aqua pura(?). I tried to see Miss Hughes today but failed, she called here this afternoon but no one knew I was at home, so again I did not get to see her. Have not copied Dr. Robbins' letter yet. Wrote on No. 4 note book after school as Miss Teel will soon be ready for it. Practised awhile on my typewriter Sun. aft. for the first time. Had the deaf children go over the elements they know at noon.

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January 5, 1922 - Thursday

Language school five hours per day is a long session; Misses Seagrave & Teel did not come this afternoon, so Miss Davis helped me while Saya Ah Sou coached Miss Geis; I siezed the opportunity to ask a number of questions. Got letters from Miss Bertley and Judy Savage today - also Mary Pettus; must get cards to them off on the next English mail boat (Got a Christmas card & tract from Mrs. Mary Craig). Letters from Miss Annie McKinney, Belle Denny and Katharine Feugel Dozier (the first) yesterday. We had a much interrupted [interrupted] dinner as Miss C. had a headache and left the table after the second course, Miss W. going up with her of course; then she had hardly gotten seated when Mang Galay got his nail torn off in the door by Bolo; I had to cut it off (it was hanging by the skin at the top only) and hold him while iodine was applied and it was finally [finally] tied up in grease for the night. China made up to me before dinner more than she ever has before. The papers are still full of the prince. The dhoby brought the clothes today, but we'll have to get a new one as he won't do our wash any more. Letter from Miss Parrott yes

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January 6, 1922 - Friday

This being a short day at language school, I went to Jubilee Hall in the afternoon, with Misses Chapman, Walden, the teachers and most of the pupils, in an auto bus very kindly loaned us by some kindhearted man. The annual industrial exhibit of the products of the province is being held, and it was thought that this would be a good way to advertise the school and its needs, and thus acquaint the people at large with the fact that there is such an institution; great interest [interest] has been manifested - may it lead to great good. Arrived there, I first went around to see the stalls, the metal work (silver and bronze), ivory carving, lacquer ware and silk weaving are especially [especially] good; the pottery, paintings, papier mache, etc., leave much to be desired. After this I returned to the stage, where we have demonstrations with living models, and helped in explaining the work to the visitors; we have P. May at a hand weaving loom, and the others with their pillow lace making, as well as class room work. A man gave me a hundred rupee note

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for the work.

January 7, 1922 - Saturday

I went to town this morning, to DeSousa's, the Press, & then to Dr. Murray, who gave me what I believe is the best treatment I've had in Burma. This p.m., I went ahead with the teachers and older children to Jubilee Hall, and the other two ladies with the smaller children came later. I made a few purchases [purchases] soon after arriving, as there were not many visitors at first; bought some of the black pottery, which is quite cheap, & a couple of round lacquer trays. Mr. Shuhy gave me a ten rupee note for the work; I came out on the boat with his wife; this is the 2nd time I've seen her since landing - once on Christmas eve. They got nearly R.25 in small sums in the box yesterday and over R.35 today. Dr. M., his wife and sister-inlaw [sister-in-law] were among the interested callers; several of the A. B. missionaries were also there. The children got very tired, but for the most part were remarkably good, as no one cried either day, nor tried to scratch each other's eyes out. They took lunch with them this afternoon, which was a much happier arrangement than yes. when they had the long wait till they got home. We left about seven.

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January 8, 1922 - Sunday

Chota was a little later this morning as we knew the children would be worn out after their two strenuous days. Went to S. S. but was late, I'm sorry to say; recognized one of the Guides in the class Mr. Phinney teaches. The lesson, a rather interesting one, was from Philemon. When we all went up stairs later, there was no one to play, so I volunteered to perform as best I could at the piano. Met Miss Hastings coming out; she had just gotten there as "Lizzie" had balked again somewhere on the road; I'd sell the darn ed [darned] old rattletrap and quit being worried with it, as well as a nuisance to everyone else. Sent the Maltese lace collars to Mary Pettus and Katharine Dozier, along with a lot of old programs, etc., & brief letters; at least got them all ready to mail, which I'll have to do tomorrow a.m. Wrote cards to Margaret & Florence Pettus, Miss Parrott at Mandalay, Miss Bertley, Julia Savage, Belle Denny, Miss Annie McKinney, Jeannette McCord [McCord]; & got "Main Street" ready to send to Helen Tufts, who is in the hospital at Moulmein, to read. I loaned it to Miss C. almost as soon as it came, so haven't read myself yet - but it looks

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very long.

January 9, 1922 - Monday

This has been a great day. At my suggestion, seconded [seconded] by Miss Seagraves, we had a holiday this p.m., so I did not have to "take" one after all in order to attend [attend] the Ragatta in Dalhousie Park. Met Dr. & Mrs. Thomas for the first time, the latter mailing my book & letters for me. There are two American [American] ladies, former school-teachers I believe, staying at the Guest House now, but I haven't met them yet. Wrote cards to the four Pettus boys. We all piled in the "motor lorry," kindly loaned Miss C. for the week, and went out to the park from J. Hall. As the others did not come out to breakfast for fear of missing the prince, I finally went there to see what had become [become] of them; H.R.H., however, played polo just behind them all morning, and never came near them, though some of this staff did. The scenes at the Royal Lakes were very gorgeous [gorgeous] and colorful; saw a number of people I knew which is always a matter for congratulation [congratulation] when one has been here as short a time as I. Took four snap shots, which I hope will be good; I have two rolls at DeSousa's now. Had a wonderful dinner at Mr. Furnival's where we had a fine view of the lakes and boathouse in the distance; the prince passed twice. Miss W. & I got the wrong men as dinner partners; the salad, chicken & dessert were [fine?]

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January 10, 1922 - Tuesday

We all went to Lewis Street jetty this morning in order [order] to see the prince off. Mr. & Mrs. Safford were the only ones of the missionaries I happened to see, so, as they began it, I gave them an earful as the the needs of the deaf and the school here. It is plain to be seen that whatever is said in the committeeroom [commitee-room] is no secret but soon spreads to all the outposts even. Miss C. and all the children & teachers [teachers] went home in a taxi, except Ma Sein Tha and myself, who had to go on a car; reaching the house, however, almost as soon as the others. Miss W. also came out later, as she went by McKenzie's to see about the auto. In the aft. we went to J. Hall again; I missed my daily bath as I was so busy gathering up loose ends all noon, I had no time for it then, and with only cold water for this purpose it is apt to keep me awake if taken at night; so I always like to get it in in the daytime, either at noon or after school or tea, as the case may be. Read some in "Half the Battle in Burmese," loaned me by Miss C., for the first time. Miss C. was sick again in the night, evidently [evidently] something she ate at the dinner last eve did not "set" well with her. Many of our visitors on the stage came back the second time. Mr. Morris, from Insein, who has the exhibit in charge, has been among the most interested. I've bought some black pottery and lacquerware but wish to buy some additional things before the exposition closes.

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January 11, 1922 - Wednesday

Back in language school, so there is nothing exciting [exciting] to relate. The others were at J. Hall both this a.m. & p.m. as usual. When I got back this aft. the English [English] mail had arrived, so of course I had to read it before I could do any thing else; then had tea, dressed, & went to the expo. by trolley as I would have had to wait over twenty minutes for a train. Had my bath at noon. Got Christmas cards from Misses Cook & Houston at the blind school; and letters from Mary Pettus and Ruth Theis; the latter is going to be married - or rather, probably is by this time, as she intended to be at Christmas [Christmas]; I'll send her something for a bridal gift. Later I got a letter from Mary Behan; she is expecting a visit from the stork in March. Her oldest girl is in school this year; tempus fugit. Mary P. is delighted with Georgetown this year, and so my insistence that she return there has come out all right; she now says that she wants all her brothers and sisters to go there to school; Margaret will probably be there with her next year. I washed out a pr. of white stockings and a handkerchief at noon. I wash all my hose. Paid the old dhoby three rupees, at Miss C's suggestion, witholding four eight, as I never got back Mrs. McGuire's big bathtowel, nor my table napkin & handkerchief that he lost. I read "The Interior Journal" this evening; have only been getting one a week here lately will have to write to some one and jog them up about it.