Malinda K. Miller Diary

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between stations. Messrs Latta & Roach met me at the station & after I'd had something to eat, we, including Mrs. L. & Miss Peck, went to the night service only to find it finished; but the latter began talking to some passers. by & we soon had a good sized crowd and sold 18 copies of Luck at a piece each.

February 11, 1922 - Saturday

Mr. L. set up my cot for me last eve, & after a sponge bath, as there was very little water, I turned in - out on the porch. I arose at six this a.m., still dark, and after chota, all except [except] Miss P., plus Emma - the youngest child of our hosts, went to the early service at 7:30; back for a hearty breakfast; off again immediately thereafter, taking something for tea with us, so we didn't return [return] till after five this p.m. Had rather a noisy session for awhile this afternoon over entertaining [entertaining] the convention at Thouge next fall. We heard there were 30 or more heathen in the rear. I got a couple of snapshots as we were leaving, the subjects being children [children] for the most part. I enjoy the drives back and forth in the ford, altho it is rather dusty; we saw quite a number of water birds silently fishing [fishing] in the fast drying pools along the roadside on the return this a.m.; while on our first trip the telegraph wire along the railroad were full of swallows; coming back this eve there were a lot of night birds in the road. The smells we get from the rice mills, caused by boiling the grain, they say,

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are anything but fragrant. There are nine big mills in Zigoni; I would like to visit one.

February 12, 1922 - Sunday

At early service this a.m. Mr. Gates appeared on the scene, straight from his jungle trip; the other man didn't come. When leaving after breakfast I took all my baggage along with me, Mr. L having helped me take down my cot this morn. before chota. Miss Peck couldn't find a ruby pin which had been given her on arising and made life miserable [miserable] for me - not directly of course - for several hours, but happily she found it where she had put it away last night upon returning from the early service. After the 2nd session we stood around & talked awhile and then had a bite after which Mr. L. took me to the station near by; a man, whose seat I shared, turned the fan on me so that I got the full benefit all the way, and otherwise looked after me. I'd read all I'd brought along on the way up, so spent most of the aft. napping. Several came and went during the long, hot aft. - a tiresome trip. Took a gharry out from the main station & had to wake up the Telegu boy to get in. Miss D. not here of course, as she is keeping Miss Campbell company while Misses C. & W. are away over the weekend. I found the prints she had gotten for me, so between trimming & straightening & packing, I was up till one o'clock. Consequently I fear I shall oversleep tomorrow morning. I ate my lunch about six p.m., & took one station view soon after starting. Saw the A.B.M. [?] at Thouge as we passed - Mr. L told me where to look

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for it.

February 13, 1922 - Monday

This has been a hot day. I finished putting away my things, washed out stockings, handerkerchiefs, dust-rag, etc.; but didn't find time to clean my white shoes. Returned Mrs. W's cot, net, plate & cup after morn. session, Miss D. going with me and carrying the other things while I carried the cot. Later Mrs. W. came over & brought my letter which I had written to Dr. R. After breakfast I got some jobs done & my bath; while after the aft. session I wrote some cards & then went out to Kemmendine to interview Miss. Southerland; met Mrs. St. J. just as I reached the turn in the road, & near the gate Miss. Smith & the littlest Marshall [Marshall]; on the big up stairs porch were Mrs. Robbius [Robbius], Mrs. W., Misses Geis, Price & Eastman; later Miss S. appeared, & when she went to her room before long, I followed her presenting my case about the deaf school; she seemed as hard as nails at first, but softened considerably toward the end; she suggested Miss D. for Prome, as Mrs. W. had done earlier in the day & Miss C. long ago; rather funny that they should all hit on the same one. I didn't get back till nearly 7:30, & after a hasty dinner Misses D., Seagrave & I went with Dr. Kelly in his new car to the reception at the English Baptist Church given in honor of the St. Johns; he was given a check for R.

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750 & she R.250 in cash, in addition to other gifts. Miss North, sailing soon for England, also came in for her share; the refreshments - coffee, candy & cake - were very nice; later aeroated waters were also served.

In language school all morn., and after breakfast, when Miss D. had gone to the St. J's, Miss S. came; she had already been to the W's & was on her way to see Miss Hunt. She brought the startling suggestion that I leave the mission altogether, as my heart seemed to be in the other work; I told her, when interrogated on the subject, that I could not decide so important a step off-hand, and would have to leave time to think it over. Mrs. Galloway - me Miss Nichols of Basseine - from Moulinein, 3 children and 3 nurses arrived early this a.m. to take the Henderson Line for Scotland Thursday p.m. It belongs to the same firm as the Irrowaddy Flotilla Co., by whom her husband, a splendid speciman of manhood, works. Dr. Cummings was also here again tonight. Took my clothes to the dhoby & my clean ones were here when I got back from the press, where I went to interview Father Phinny about my financial statement, buy stamps, pay Miss Hastings the R.5 I owed her, etc. I wrote some cards, so only had a few minutes to snatch my "tea" & run for a car, but was lucky in catching one at once.

[Left hand page number] 46 February 15, 1922 - Wednesday We arose early - about 5:30 when it is still dark, - to go on our trip on the Twante Canal. On our way by train the power went off for about 15 or 20 min., so Miss D. got nervous & walked the remainder of the way, but I placidly sat and waited as I had understood Mr. Ali San to say the boat left at 7:30 instead of 7, as Miss D. contended. When I finally arrived at the Stevenson Street jetty Miss D. was waiting on the curb for me, & we were the first ones there; the others came soon thereafter, however, & in a short time we were off. It was really too cool to be comfortable on the water, but otherwise a fine trip. I Talked to Saya to interpret, with two Burmese boys who attend a [phovrigyi?] school in R., learning fortune telling; I proceeded to preach them a short story about "the light of the world", using my moss agate as a concrete illustration. One gave me his Buddhist rosary of 33 wooden beads; and on their promising to read it, I told them I'd send them a gospel in the vernacular. Mr. Ali S. gave them each a Bible card. The schoolmaster at the village had given his pupils a holiday as we dined at his house. We first visited many of the potteries for which this section is famous. [?] a few purchases, & then ate. I had along my thermos bottle, but the

[Right hand page number] 47 February 16, 1922 - Thursday others has two of lime juice & a whole basketful of bread & butter sandwiches, both white & brown; We had [nga pee?] both fried & raw; 2 kinds of salad, both with onions; orchid flower soup, and of course rice and curry; Mrs. Ali Sou' ate at our table, but her husband ate at another with several native men, while the children were altogether out on a porch. In the aft. we visited the Methodist school up on a hill, & then had to hurry for the boat, after being served with coffee there; and the others wished to serve tea again before we left when we went after our things. I stopped at a goldsmith's shop for a few moments & watched him work on a pair of ruby earrings before breakfast. The others hadn't intended to return when I did, but on account of dredging operations, & the advice of our friends, they concluded to do so. I got the home mail, so by stopping to read it was late at the Y.W.C.A. opening of their new building; got in when Miss [Parmelee?] was speaking, & had some hasty refreshments afterwards. Miss D. has invited the St. J's for dinner tomorrow eve, so I've [asked?]. Robbins & Wiatt; we also asked Dr. Kelly but he refused. He got two vases of flowers for the table. Aside from the fact that Joseph had on the red bordered table cloth, everything went off very well tonight. Miss D. went to see Miss Thayer this aft., but I had too many things to do; strung my blue beads, washed hose, handerchiefs, cloths, white slips, sewed buttons on 2 corsetcovers & a petticoat; also took a tuck in the latter; & mended several other

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garments, bathed, dressed, put away the rest of my clean clothes, got out sash, etc.

February 17, 1922 - Friday

I had a sore throat all day yes., the result of my chill on the canal I suppose, and it's worse today, so I took the trouble to examine it tonight, as it seemed more localized than at first; and the left side is very swollen & inflamed with one large white patch. Miss D. kindly swabbed it out with iodine for me, & then I gave it a good painting on the outside as well; it burned like fire, so I had to put cold cream on it which helped a little. After breakfast I went to DeSouza's & got mine & Miss D's prints; then to Barr St. jetty no. 2 to see the St. J's, & Misses Price & Thayer off; then to the press to get some money - (R49/10/10/) leaving an even balance of R50; here I also bought a copy of Luke & Acts to mail to the two Burmese boys I talked to on the boat, bought two kinds of envelopes, stamps, and postcards. Then out to Miss Clapman's where we had tea, two others coming in after we were thru; then back in time for dinner, had a chat with Mrs. Masier, who arrived this a.m. on her way to America, but will be here about 10 days. Paid Miss D. for com-

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-pany and the "sweets." Afterward I took a bath, went straight to bed as I was feeling so badly. Miss D. wrote on her typewriter for a while & then retired rather early also. Saw Mrs. Moore, from Syriam, at the wharf; also a number of others whom I knew.

[An additional sentence, but can't make much of it.]

February 18, 1922 - Saturday

I stayed in bed this a.m., Miss D. bringing up my chota, and later phoning Dr. Kingsley, till the latter came; she told me to take a dose of salts - which I got from Miss D., & gargle with hot salt & water or listerine. Miss D. also furnished the last. Then I got up, dressed & went to class, which doesn't meet till 9:30 on Saturdays. Undressed again after breakfast & laid down on the bed; as I slept very poorly last night, I was soon asleep and didn't waken till three p.m.; then bathed, dressed & intended going to the library, but decided I'd rather pay the fine if necessary, and wait till Monday. Then Miss D. & I went over to the field day of the Karen school, had a glass of orangeade, and saw some interesting events - especially the pole vaulting, a record being broken. All from the deaf school were there. Miss Hastings told me yes. while at the press that there was no one to take the prayer meeting next week, so on coming back, I consulted with Miss D., then called up Miss Eastman & told her we

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February 19, 1922 – Sunday would do so. About five p.m. we two left the meet. & went to tennis tea at the Miners; Miss H. had called us up earlier in the day to remind us of it. Miss Ivins from Taunggyi, and Mr. Kingsley, whom I met at the Wiatt dinner, were there, as well as Mrs. Safford & Mrs. [name missing] I did not play, but managed to upset some of my tea in my lap; the sandwiches & chocolate cake were very good.

Miss D. taught a girls' S.S. class at the college for Mrs. [Nlutuali?] & remained there for morning service; I did not go out; had just gotten up from breakfast when Dr. K. came, I wasn't expecting her; Dr. Cottè, the Canadian French woman I met at the reception Mon. eve. was with her, but went into see Mrs. Rose for a few moments. I haven't been running a fever, but a subnormal temperature – the same as when I had that dreadful cold, or the flu, last fall soon after my arrival. Bathed + dressed in white in the aft., smeared butter on my yellow gingham at teatime, hoping that will take out the axle grease; then went with Miss D. for a brief walk around the compound, before we left together with Mrs. Mosier for the English Bap. Ch. with Dr. Kelly in his car. The Thomases arrived early this a.m. from Henzada, so we five had a late dinner together; then to bed; Miss D. writing letters again.

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February 20, 1922 - Monday Read on the 2nd vol. of "The Burman" most of yes. but still lacked about 100pp of finishing

We had a holiday this aft. as Mr Ali Sou had some business to attend to; I was glad, for I had a lot of things to do, though I did not feel like exerting myself. Basted the white collars & cuffs back on to my yellow gingham while Miss D read Burmese to me. Mrs. Mosier came in awhile, and later Miss Seagrave while we were out on the front porch and our room was being mopped for the first time since we've been here, over three weeks. The latter had not left, when two Burmese girls came to see Miss D; we were all just about to start for a walk when Ma Seiu Tha, China and Ba Khay appeared, bringing a note from Miss C. enclosing seven rupees for the Mandalay trip; as this had to be acknowledged, I didn't go for the walk as I didn't want to keep the others waiting. Gave them all some of the candied pumpkin. Finished "The Burman" & after dinner directed some postcards – over a dozen – and otherwise got things ready for letter writing when I can find the time. Took a belated bath, read a little in "The Literary Digest" and retired about 10 p.m. Miss D writing on her machine again. Inquired about song books; wrote to Miss Adams as she and Miss Peter want to join us at Kelaw; Miss S. brought the news that Miss Johnson wishes to do likewise. Several out of town people arrive tomorrow, so we'll soon have a full house again.