8
CHEMAWA AMERICAN.
I could talk all day of Manila, its quaint
people, luxuriant vegetation, and peculiar
customs; the waterbufl'alo which they use
as oxen to draw little woven carts is a
study in itself. It is called the carabo.
The Luneta by moonlight is a dream.
It is a great open place with two Land
stands ou it. Asa iu'e two bands ho'd
forth here and play alternately.
On one side of the Luneta is a paik; on
the other is the bay, with hundreds of
great ships at anchor out some two mils
from the beach. Sunset with its changing
light thrown ou this scene is beyond de
scription. When the teachers were assigned stations
there was much dissatisfaction and many
tears shed. Miss Cooper and I were as
signed together to La Union Province.
Miss Foley goes to I locos Norte this is
pronounced Ilo-cus Naughty. Mr. George
is superintendent of La Union-a lovely
gentleman, who is an ex-volunteer army
officer. He gave us the best pueblo that
was in need of teachers,-Ran Fernanda.
Hocus Norte is the most northern prov
ince of Luzon. Vivan is where Colonel
Woodson is now located. San ; ernaudo,
our post, u on the Gulf of Lagayen.
VVe left Manila on September 9lh on a
pretty little sailing vessel - the Bunyan.
'J he trip to San Fernando occupied 36
hours. On the morning of the llth we
steamed into the Gulf. There was a
launch out to take some passengers ashore
and we were invited to join them. The
President, was at lh beach with his kilos
kee-lus waiting for us and we drove to
the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins! Mr.
Tompkins is Treasurer of the Province. Our
luggage was taken to a dearlittle bungalow
and our cot set up in readiness for the
night.
In the afternoon we took possession of
our new home and proceeded to drag oal
some fresh toggery Hnd make ourselves
presentable, as we had been invited to
join the officer's mw.
A description of San Fernando, be it
most glowing, would but inadequately
depict its beauties, so I will refrain from
boring you.
The weather is very hot at tinus, a'mest
uueudurable, but the scenery and vegeta
tion are rich, rare, and a delightful treat,
We began teaching Friday the 13th. in
stant. The school house is a large hui'din;
constructed entirely of bpmboo. We teach
two hours a day from 2 to 4, with 20 min
utes recess. Only the girls are at our mer
cy. There are two gentleman teachers for
the boys.
Our little tots wear long trains and low
cut bodices; a folded kerchief around f lie
neck to match the bodice, which is usually
made of hoosie or pina cloth. I encloses
scrap of hoosie pina is much more sheer,
thinner goods. The little creatures gener
ally manage to have on a petticoat and un
derwaist 1 hat are trimmed with embroid
ery. The trains of their dresses they tuck
into their bells at the front. They wear
little clippers with wooden soles and velvet
toe pieces and oh! such a howl as rends the
ethreal blue when Domingo, Manuela, or
Visitation loses a shoe.
VVe found a new house and moved. My
letter was lost in the shuffle but to day I
ran acr oss it, arid as there is a boat leavinf
soon for Manila our chat will have to end
more abruptly than I intended. I want
you to know, however, thai your little com
rade is comfortable and contented.
Onr house is gradually assuming a cheer
fill appearance; the army ifficers and la
dies have been most kind and cordial. We 1
have a muohaco native boy and a china
man cook and it will only be a questianof
a little while until we will be most happy
among these ncvel surroundings. The u
niqueness of it is glorious.
I would give'much t" be able to fee you,
but that, if ever, will be sometime in t he
dim future. If there are any at Cheroawa
who would care to hear " of me kindly re
member mo to them, Mr.: and Mrs. Chili)'
ers and Claudia. -V
Mail accommodations here are a perUt
farce and the one disngreeable feature.
Love to you and believe me as ever,
Yours sincerely,
If attie Mitchell.