Malinda K. Miller Diary

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January 12, 1922 - Thursday

We discussed plans for the hot season somewhat [somewhat] today. Loilem seems to be losing in favor as Miss Seagraves had already backed out, & neither Misses Geis nor Tufts can go that far from Ellen Mitchell Memorial Hospital at Moulmein. We all read a letter from the latter one by one in class this afternoon. I went by the library on my way to Jubilee Hall this afternoon, but it was closed although it was not quite five thirty; I shall have to try again tomorrow. Had a long chat with a Salvation [Salvation] Army man, an American, who works with the criminal [criminal] tribes of north India, at the platform this p.m. The Indian army doctor Francis returned with his friends according to promise this aft., the Chinese woman was back again, also the deaf sister & her companion; a Japanese couple [couple] also visited us, and the usual round of Britishers - mostly Scotch - Eurasians, and various assortment of natives. Miss C. has a score of new cotton blankets made in the U. S.A., [U.S.A.] together with three wool pairs - a bright red - that a generous-hearted Indian gave her. Had a letter from one of Mrs. Reid's S. S. class today saying they had sent me a box and also wished to add a magazine; I've just sent for a half dozen of the latter but there are several

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others I'd like to have - the only difficulty is in making a choice.

January 13, 1922 - Friday

As this is a short school day I went to town after breakfast, but did not get off till about three p.m. Went to de Souza's but my prints were not finished [finished]; to the press, where I drew a hundred rupees, paid Mr. Phinney the month's salary I voted to give to the board at the December missionaries' prayer meeting after the cable was received about the distressing financial conditions at home (R.205/+); asked for bill; and got an explanation [explanation] about my balance sheet; before reaching this place, however, I stopped at Rowe's to look for a towel for Mrs. McGuire & found one that I think is just like the one that was lost, which I bought at R. 5/8 - an outrageous price, tho' it is a nice big bath towel. Then from the press I took a rickshaw [rickshaw] & went to the free library; went yes. aft. but it was closed, tho' it is supposed to be open till dusk & it was not then 5:30; it was about a quarter of an hour earlier this time, so the librarian - a native - was still there; he looked up most of the volumes on the list given me by Mr. Wiatt, and only about half of them can be obtained there; do not know where I can get the others, but perhaps I can borrow from some of the missionaries. Then on to J. Hall - the last day of the exhibit, and no one so

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ry [sorry], I'll wager; here I bought four yellow (all different) cotton native shawls, most of which I'll send home, as I think they'll make nice table covers; two round black & gold lacquer boxes, and one rectangular red one (rather large); two more round red trays, & a gold one and two other samples of native weaving, that will do for runners, as they are rather long and narrow. We were quite loaded on the homeward jaunt, as we took lace pillows, the trunk of school-room supplies, etc., with us.

January 14, 1922 - Saturday

Saturday went to class half an hr. early, but Saya was just about that late, so it was the usual time when we got out, & set off for the city to visit the Chinese bazaars; we couldn't find what we wanted therein, however, so went to the Phayre St. store, which I had never visited before. Stopped first at de S's, thinking I'd get my prints, etc., at once, but as they had failed to make one, there was quite a delay with demands, explanations, etc. Saw Mr. Gard who told me quite a little news in a short space of time, among other things that Dr. Gifford at Moulmein was given a Kaiser-in-Hind gold medal at the New Year presentations; I read over the list but did not remember seeing her name; must write & congratulate her. I bought the Chinese satin em. slippers for bed room use that I have been wanting; and 4 sets of blue em. to send home. Misses C., W, Ma Sein Tha, Ma Thwait and Bolo got off to Bhamo about 4:30 The five thousand rupees in honor of the

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prince's visit has finally materialized to my great relief, for I was beginning to think it was a myth.

January 15, 1922 - Sunday

The foggiest morning I've seen in Burma and quite chilly too. China coughed all night so that Ma Nyein even heard her downstairs; I went to Lammadaw Burmese church with the latter this morning, & when I returned I dosed the former on cough drops, swabbed out her throat with iodine and rubbed her chest with grease - to her deep disgust. Had hoped to get that long letter off home today, but had so many other things to do that it was impossible. Put away the white dress I wore to the dinner last Mon; got a cake of soap out of the bottom of my trunk; put the black pottery & lacquer I bought at the exhibit [exhibit] down there; also got out my Pettus cake; put the shawls & runners in the wardrobe; readdressed a letter to Miss W.; wrote cards to Miss C., Mr. Robertson of Danville, Mrs. Heptonstall [Heptonstall], Ruth Theis, etc. Yes. after tea and last eve I read "Thibaw's Queen" by Fielding; rather interesting & not very long. Copied a page out of note-book only, but jobbed all aft. Failed to get my daily bath. The clean clothes came in yes.; after sunning them, I put them away. My newest white canvas slippers are about worn out - worse luck - they were bought at a sample shoe house in Portland, Oregon, so I suppose were

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well worn ere I got them. Got a Christmas present [present] of a nightgown [nightgown] from Mary Reid yesterday; also a letter from a member of Mrs. Reid's Bible class, P.D., saying they had sent me a box & wished to give me a magazine; & a card from Bernice Beischel [Beischel] of Greensboro, N.C. to all of whom I also wrote today [today], as well as Frances James Miller Haynes.

January 16, 1922 - Monday

I met the Thomases in the hall at the Guest House this a.m. & they told me they were on their way back to Insein; I don't know any of the details as yet. Readdressed two letters for Miss C., & one for both, & sent Miss W. a postcard [postcard] today. Banked the R5000/ at noon; this p.m. sent the letter by boy & got R25/ in return Ispahany's fees made another R15. Had a postal from Miss C. this aft. Have been reading our "Amerian Baptist Missions in Burma, 1920" given me by Mrs. Petty of Portland last spring; Mrs. Phinney also gave me two copies soon after I arrived & I sent one to Mrs. McClary of S., & the other to Florence Woodburn (I believe) of Vancouver, Washington. Had another brief letter from Miss Parrott this p.m. Dr. Kingsley [Kingsley] was here today; China's cough was better [better] so she seemed to think she was all right; nevertheless I gave her another rub & coughdrop at bedtime last eve, & again tonight. Asked the teachers to buy me stamps the next time they go to Kemendine.

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January 17, 1922 - Tuesday

Miss Laughlin from the S.P.G. school and three friends were out a a little while this evening; the former gave eight annas to the children for peanuts, or groundnuts, as they called out here; I gave it to Ma Nyein, when they had gone, so she could buy them the next time they take the youngsters for a walk. I siezed upon this afternoon to do a lot of odd jobs; strung my corals, which have been needing attention [attention] for sometime; cut my fingernails - at Po May's (our largest deaf girl) suggestion [suggestion]; wrote a card to Miss C., & forwarded several [several] letters. A money order came for the school but as they wouldn't let me sign it I told them to bring it back next week. I have "Burma Painted and Described by R. Talbot Kelly" loaned me by Mr. Ah Sou which I have begun and find quite interesting, especially with its many illustrations in color. I bought two pairs of chop sticks from Miss Davis, one of my class-mates, yesterday; "Saya" bought them at bazaar Saturday morning when out with us, and as he had to get a bunch of a dozen, she was glad to pass part of them on. I do not care for them myself as I've seen them lots of times, but I'll send them home to some of the youngsters to whom they'll [be?]

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curiosity.

January 18, 1922 - Wednesday

The English mail, which always causes a small flurry of excitement, came at noon. I sent three letters on to Bhamo, and then examined my own receipts; there was one from Altman's about my cretonnes; another from Lamport & Holt, Liverpool about this and my English films & prints, which finally came - last month - to my great joy; one from Margaret Pettus - this family has been better about writing than any body else - so far; and "The Book of Remembrance" from Mrs. Hinson of the Columbia River District [District]. It is the truth that for several days I had been thinking of this very thing, wondering [wondering] when and where I could get one; and even considered ordering one from one from headquarters [headquarters] in New York, when this arrived to fill my need. This p.m. one "Interior Journal" arrived; I've written to the postmaster here, & also a card to Belle Denny at home to inquire into the reason why half - or more - never reach me; though, as a matter of fact, it may be that the real trouble is not at either end of the line. Miss Davis and I went to see Mrs. Wiatt about accomodations at the Guest House the last of the month; the St. John's go home on the 16th of February for

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their year's leave; and Miss Campbell is expected [expected] here on the 28th of this month, I believe.

January 19, 1922 - Thursday

Today the package containing [containing] Miss Annie McKinney's & Belle Denny's X gifts arrived - an apron & table cover respectively [respectively], with blue predominating, and much appreciated. I bought a Kachin belt from Miss Seagraves yes. at R4/ which I shall probably [probably] send home. Miss Geis had had hold of her R's hair and it looked better than I've ever seen it, but today it was put up most any old way as usual. I woke up thinking [thinking] of Harry Beckett yes. for some unknown reason, & had him on my mind all day; for the benefit of the Society of Psychical Research I'll just make a note of it here and see if anything [anything] comes of it later. Mrs. Wingate sent a lot of curtains, etc. for the school yes., to which I replied with a note of thanks, as they happened [happened] to arrive at noon while I was here; today 2 more were sent, so Ma Nyein had to reply as I was at school. I suspect the children were cold last night, as I was, & these people out here seem to feel it so much more than we new arrivals [arrivals] do; there are a score of lovely new blankets, given us by a charitable Indian, but they are safely locked up some where & not available now that they are needed; I gave the youngst

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each a curtain tonight - at least they'll have that much additional.

January 20, 1922 - Friday

Last night I washed out my gray silk stockings [stockings] given my by Mrs. Delore; this morning I darned them & then I donned them; they have given valiant service on shipboard and since. This being a short school day, I put in a busy afternoon; loaded my kodak; type wrote the forms for city funds for Miss C - from whom I had a card today saying they would return Monday; - wrote cards to Mary Rettus, Margaret and Anna Behan; a business letter to Cousin Joe Paxton, sending the Ben O. Smith correspondence [correspondence]; took a bath; had tea; went to call on Mrs. Grove, the American lady in the neighborhood [neighborhood], but unfortunately she was not at home; and was reading "Half the Battle in Burmese" (loaned me by Miss C.) when Mrs. Hogg and her cousin came with cakes left from a tea she gave this afternoon. I invited them to be seated & to my surprise they remained [remained] quite awhile; I fear I did most of the talking, but I had a glorious theme - America [America]. These are the ladies who had charge of the needlework booth at the Fancy Fair held at Gymkhana Club in December for the benefit of the School for the Deaf, and [at] which about three thousand rupees were

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cleared & added to the building fund.

January 21, 1922 - Saturday

We had an earthquake for a change this morning [morning] about 3:25 o'clock; I was awakened instantly by what may or may not have been the first and hardest shock, and realizing what it was did not bother to get up; later there came a second one, and I could hear the girls talking down stairs, and such a yelping as there was of these mangy curs that go by the name of dogs out here! Later today Ma Nyein told me what time it was, as I had not looked at my watch. I had intended going to town early, as Mr. Purser of the S.P.G. was going to lecture on phonetics on I cut class, having had no less than three such courses already; but my package from Mrs. Reid's Bible class of the East Portland Baptist Church was delivered, so I had to see it - and once opened there was no getting away from it. There was what had once been a fruit cake, still delicious in its crumbly state, but all the candy, dates and raisins had to be picked out; the latter stemmed; and worst of all, the tissue and silver paper pulled out bit by bit. When I finally got through there were the two largest meat dishes full, and it was breakfast [breakfast] time. I went down into the city afterwards, to DeSouza's for my films & prints; to the press to pay my bill, etc; to the two Chinese shops where I bought two silver & king fisher feather pins at