Malinda K. Miller Diary

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destroyed it.

February 1, 1922 - Wednesday

Saw Dr. Robbins this a.m. when I went over to report the latest to Mr. Wiatt. We've had both Mr. Cases - at different times; Mr. Henderson for dinner last eve, and Mr. Marshall for breakfast, as he - together with Mr. Harris & Mrs. Seagrave - was in to give Misses [Beull?] and Anderson their second Karen language exam, they were all through by two o'clock, the former passing with great credit, they got 95 1/2 and about 92 respectively; there was some doubt over one point in Miss A's, hence the qualified statement [statement]; they were both here for the one meal also, tho' they are staying at Insein. I thought I'd have a quiet afternoon after the dissipations [dissipations] of the earlier part of the week, but first Misses Chapman and Walden arrived to bring me an invitation to the Y.W.C.A. house warming [warming] which was in with theirs, invite me for breakfast Friday to meet Miss Campbell, who arrived a day or so ago; and to suggest my going to Mandalay Fri. eve., with Ma Sein Tha, to bring back some deaf children. Of course I shall be delighted to have such a trip at so little expense. The "home" mail arrived and I managed to read my letters - one from Dorothy [Dorothy] Burnett of London; Miss Gibbons, Buffalo; the "Whatsoever Class", Portland, containing blue embroidered collar and cuff set; Christmas greeting from Josephine Warren and husband Dick Asbury; note from Mrs. Chumasers ; letter & snapshot from Alvira Van Arsdale. I began on the I.J. when Mrs. Harris came in with the baby; then Esther Nelson arrived; later I was called out by the E's as Miss Teel had arrived to talk

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over our hot-season scheme, so the dinner bell rang before I'd had my bath so had to have it at bedtime.

February 2, 1922 - Thursday

The two American ladies who are touring the world, former teachers in the Brooklyn High school, returned from Mandalay [Mandalay] this morning and as they had no room till the Evanses left at seven this eve., their things were put in our room. These, plus Miss Peterson, had an early dinner. Misses Davis, Nelson, Geis and I went to hear Dr. Robbins [Robbins] deliver the baccalaureate sermon at Judson College this evening; afterwards there was a dinner at the Howard's but evidently only the "big guns" were invited, so the rest of us dined on our return. I got out most of the things to put in my suit case tonight as I thought I'd have more time now than tomorrow. Wrote a card to Miss Parrott last night to apprise her of my coming; then after mailing it Miss D. & I went first to the Wiatts and there to see Miss Pennington at the next house; but most of our time was taken up by a hot-season discussion with Misses [Bonney?] and Teel. Am taking both my steamer rug and army cape as Miss C. says its cold up there at this season of the year; my blue striped dress for morning and rajah [rajah] for dinner; jet and silver jewelry and new blue beads only one extra suit of underclothes, but three pairs of stockings as they say it is so dusty there. Dr. R. postponed [postponed] my interview with him from tomorrow till next Wednesday, after his return from [Bassein?] where so many are going to the dedication of the new Karen buildings. Miss Seagrave has kindly consented to take the lacquerware to Mrs. Conrad - formerly Miss Zachery from Louisville, Ky., who was in the "Y" overseas; we came home on the same ship. Am sending her one of the round red

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trays, and the smaller black & gold box - also round - with the peacock [peacock] on the lid.

February 3, 1922 - Friday

I had breakfast at the deaf school according to schedule, but was late (as I had to whiten my shoes, in the interval after language and my going, so they would be sufficiently dry to put in my suitcase) so they had sat down ere I appeared [appeared]. They had the oil & vinegar in readiness, a huge cucumber - which I divided with Miss Campbell, cheese, etc., of which they knew me to be fond. Afterwards [Afterwards] I explained the charts to these three, and then got passes and directions about the trip. Went back to the Guest House where I had to get out my thermos bottle from the bottom of my trunk in order to carry water on the trip; this also necessitated [necessitated] my repacking; took my bath, redressed, wrote a note of acceptance to the Y. W.; and cards to Mrs. C. in Vancouver; Joesphine in Chattanooga [Chattanooga]; Alvira in Louisville. Misses Davis & Nelson were both away, so suppose they went out somewhere [somewhere] together. Paid Joseph to date on my way out; got a letter from Mrs. Latta which I stopped [stopped] to read, & thus missed the train I expected to take, so had a wait of twenty minutes. When I reached the big station Ma Sein Tha was greatly relieved as she had taken all her things out of the carriage for fear I would not arrive. There was a dotty in the same section with us, and aside from the fact that she smoked and drank and had a dog, she was quite nice, she loaned me her newspaper. We were nearly ready for bed when we reached Pegu but here we all

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bought some refreshments, tho Ma S. T. had a tiffin carrier for each of us.

February 4, 1922 - Saturday

We nearly froze last night as that woman kept one of the windows open without the shutter being drawn, all night; I, alas! got the full force of it more than any one else. She got off at Thazi to go to Kalaw, a four hour ride. After getting dressed we had chota about 7, while she got hers at a station where they stopped [stopped] for about 25 minutes for this purpose. Later for breakfast we each bought some prawns, fish eggs, etc., in addition to the indespensable [indespensable] rice for the native. Ma S. T. afterwards [afterwards] bought some sugarcane which she chewed with relish and vigor; mine had to be cut up, so I didn't indulge in a great deal. I read some in "The Burman." I saw more varieties of birds this a.m. than I've seen in this country before. Arrived in M. Miss Parrott was at the station to meet us, and we - after some dickering - went out in a gharry; later I found she had never received my card, but Mrs. Elliott had gotten Miss C's note. After a chat, a bath, & tea Miss P. & I went for a drive near the fort; returning all the B. missionaries - except Mrs. Hinton, who has flu - were assembled for a goodbye dinner to Miss Thayer who leaves the 6th with Miss Price from Kemmendine, and the St. J's for America. There was a birthday cake for Miss P., as her anniversary comes in a few days, & later we found out that Mrs. Grigg's is tomorrow. Our party of seven had music the victrola later and of course more conversation

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ere breaking up at a late hour.

February 5, 1922 - Sunday

We did not arise very early this morning - for the Orient - after our festivities of last evening; I, for one, was glad as I had slept so little the night before [before] on account of being cold. I did not go to S.S. as did Mrs. E. & Miss P., but went later to church with Miss T., after which I went to the boys school for a few moments to speak to Mrs. H. Spoke to the G's in church as I only found out this a.m. that they were in war work in France during part of those awful years, as was I, so I always have a fellow feeling for any one who was in the thick of things at that time. I see in reading it over that I omitted to mention yesterday that after our [openting?] chat, but before my bath, tea, etc., one of the native teachers, Ma S. T. & I went in a gharry to try to find the little deaf boy, which we did not succeed in doing tho' we talked to some of the erstwhile neighbors. Then we went to the home of the deaf girl we hope to get, but the old grandmother is against us there. After breakfast [breakfast] today, Mrs. E. & Miss P. lay down. I believe Miss T. was far too busy with last minute callers, gifts and packing to do so, and I took a bath, talked to her several times at intervals, wrote some on this diary, etc. I forgot to bring any handkerchiefs, such a stupid thing to do, and Miss P. had to lend me one, so I've washed first the one I had in my pocketbook & then the other, at intervals. At three o'clock Miss P., Ma S. T. & I went to the fort; I in-

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tended [intended] taking my kodak, but didn't think of it till we were nearly there, & it was too far to return; booked our homeward passage en route. After a late tea, Mr. Graham, who had come in during [during] the process, took us to church in his car, & also attended the English service, sermon by Mr. Griegg; he walked home with us, & then we dined; and after I had looked at some of Miss P's photos in her room, we went to bed. I am occupying Lawrence's room.

February 5, 1922 - Monday

We had one piece on the victrola yesterday; Mrs. E. & Miss P. each have one, but as the latter [latter] does not expect to remain there long, but be in her own house away on the other side of the city, it may not be such an overlapping of good things as it seems. Mr. H. was over awhile [awhile] yes. aft. to practise a duet with Miss T. which they sang at church last eve. Shortly before 9 a.m. Miss R., Ma S. T. & I went out to visit the bazaars, which are said to be the finest in the east; the buildings are certainly far ahead [ahead] of any thing in Rangoon; well built, paved, screened, lighted, without the noisy, dirty crows, and fairly clean. Here they are dark, and dirty is a mild term for their condition, earthen aisles, smelly and sloppy. I got several snaps of the open bazaars along one side, the erstwhile "squatters [squatters]." I only bought two small brass gongs of a peculiar shape often seen here. The others both bought some lacquerware. Returning

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we tried to hunt up the little deaf boy again & found out that the family had run off to the jungle because a rat dropped in their house, as they express it, otherwise died of plague; so there was nothing doing there. We also returned to the deaf girl's poor hut, but did not see her nor the grandmother; the mother seemed favorably [favorably] inclined, & Miss P. thinks if we keep at them, will finally get her. After breakfast, we were off by gharry to the junction [junction] several miles away, where we hunted up the Mohommedan girl; here the mother is against us, & the uncle said they had caste, so don't know how that will end. I got a couple of snaps of a Shan girl at the station [station] while waiting for the train which I hope will be good. Arrived in Rangoon safely.

February 7, 1922 - Tuesday

Was so interested in making our own arrangements [arrangements] forgot to look after Miss T, but as Miss Hunt met her presume she got along [along] all right. Went to fortnightly prayer meeting at Miner's; Dr. & Mrs. Robbins were there, and the former spoke briefly as did Mr. Wiatt, of some of their experiences [experiences] in India. Refreshments consisted of delightful homemade cake and lemonade [lemonade]. The room looked rather attractive. They have a piano, so Miss Hunt played all the accompaniments, & Miss Hastings sang a solo. I put away my clean clothes,

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which came in Saturday; got up my soiled ones & took to the dhoby; put away the things I had with me on my trip; and finally went over to the deaf school to report about 4 p.m. after tea here.

February 8, 1922 - Wednesday

This a.m. at 8 I had that long-hoped-for interview [interview] with Dr. R., & he seems interested & sympathetic with the deaf school proposition [proposition]. Mr. Henderson left last eve for Tounggyi [Taunggyi], while the others - its seems Mr. W. & Dr. Nichols are accompanying Dr. R., leave this p.m. for their two months' trip thru' the Shan States and across the Chinese border to the east. Mrs. Wiatt said last eve that she would lend me a jungle cot and dishes for my trip to Zigon to one of the district associations this week-end. I straightened out & dusted the G. H. bookshelves up stairs; when you can see what is on hand there are some really good things there, though most of them are in a rather dilapidated condition [condition]. Got over a dozen letters from America last eve, some of which I did not have time to read till after prayer meeting. Mr. Chaney, who goes home in a couple of months, has been at the G. H., and today the Nykums from Maulmein arrived, also on their way home; they came here from Bassein by boat & sail Sat., before most of the others do, as they go to Calcutta & cross India to Bombay, get off

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in Egypt, and later in Italy. I went to the deaf school to dinner to report the result of my interview. -------------------------------

February 9, 1922 - Thursday

Another warm day; asked Joseph yes. about getting some one to pull the punka the days we are in school in the afternoon, but he hasn't reported as yet. I had a busy noon, and after school I got four letters ready to go off to America, as well as a number of postcards. Misses C. & W. were here again for a few minutes about 2 o'clock, having been to see Mrs. St. J. again and found her in this time; this eve Miss D. & I went to see Mrs. R. & Mrs. W. & I found they had been there also. Didn't get my letter as they hadn't read it yet. Must go to see Misses Eastman & Southerland as soon as I return from Zigon; hoped to have time to do it today but in vain. Miss D. will go to the deaf school Sat & Sun. nights to keep Miss Campbell company as the other two will be away also over the weekend. Had to bathe, darn a pr. of white lace (the ones Katharine Reid gave me), partly pack, etc. after our return last eve, then Miss. D. was ready for bed before I was, so I had to curtail my operations and finish in the morn. I'm getting more and more convinced that the sweeper is the thief by his watchful actions; do wish we could catch the guilty part, as you hate to have the feeling that you are living in a den of thieves, aside from the extreme

41 annoyance of having your things stolen.

February 10, 1922 - Friday

As I had to finish packing this a.m. I couldn't go to class; was almost there when Mrs. St. J. came to give me some good advice in regard to the deaf school; before she left Joseph announced that the gharry had arrived. I had previously paid him, three days even, up to data and told him about when to expect me back. Mrs. W. sent over the jungle cot, and I had rolled my army cape and the net she loaned me together the evening before, so all was soon ready. I did not have time to string my blue beads however; it hadn't been long since they were strung, but they are hevy, and broke while I was at Mandalay - I hope I haven't lost any of them. The train trip up was long and tiresome; there was a fat [phooregyi?] and an attendant, the latter getting chased out when the inspector came around; an Indian Mahommedan, and a Burman school boy who spoke some English in the same 2nd class carriage; later another man got on but I think he transferred to a 1st class later. The latter part of the journey there were quite a number of men coming and going - after these had gotten off. The priest had more boxes and bundles than I've seen lately, and several pious Budd[hists?] came in & [sh???] to him and remained to talk.