[Labeled Tuesday night and misdated 1894.]

My Dear Mother;

I must begin my letter again by telling you how anxious I am to hear from home. The last mail brought me no home letter, but the paper of Dec. 7th told of Nettie’s serious illness. I’ve been so curious to know the particulars. The Republican said hemorrhage of the lungs. I do hope it is not so bad. I am listening now to the moans of one of our little girls who in her play tonight fell and broke her arm in a bad place just above the elbow. The doctor has set the bone and we think the bandage too light so it must be bandaged again. Clara, one of our older girls is in the hospital sick. She has an abscess in her leg at the hip joint and as it is affecting the bone the doctor calls it hip disease. I helped the doctor put her, and another little girl from outside, into beds as Georgia was with weights to the leg. Is it not strange she should have two such cases at the same time exactly alike? So trouble and sickness is not confined to one side of the globe, and while my heart and thoughts are with my loved ones at home, my hands are full here.

The Bishop & wife & two boys came last night.¹ We are entertaining the two boys and find them very pleasant company. Our conference begins in the morning, so I am hurriedly writing tonight for fear I may not be able to find time.

Miss Paine & I took afternoon tea today at Mrs. Dr. Scranton’s in honor of Mrs. Isabella Bird Bishop.² She has finished her travelling and is about to return to Scotland. She is an English woman, but she has her home somewhere in Scotland. What delightful company she is! It is some[what] doubtful whether she will write a book on Korea or not. I wish I might tell you some of the things she said concerning the country but it is late.

We have our broken arm patient fixed comparatively comfortable for the night.

Page 105 →I’m about well now. My temperature was normal last night and I hope it will stay so. We will probably have 3 or four weeks’ vacation for as soon as Conference is over we will be into the Korean New Year.

I know you must have been out taking care of Nettie so missed the last mail, but please impress it upon father to drop me a line or two when it is impossible for you to write. Your letter via Vancouver reached me all right.

I’ll write & thank Belle for sending the things on for me She has gone I see by the appropriation report to Nagoya, where my friend, Carrie Heaton³ is. I am so glad—

Give my love to all. I do hope Nettie is much better, I can do nothing but pray for you all. I hope to hear from you in a few days. The mail reached Yokohama the 10th so it will be along soon.

I am lovingly, Lulu.

My Dear Mother:

Yesterday’s mail brought me Georgia’s nice long letter which deserves a better answer than I can write today, so I’ll answer yours. I feel as if you intended saying more & didn’t for you stop without even the conventional “Yours truly”—I did miss “Your loving mother”“—it made me think however of the time you wrote me signing yourself “your true friend, Emma.” But I was so glad to find these few pages on the back of Georgia’s letter in your handwriting.

I wish we could hear from Grant. I wonder if he will ever become like other people. I would not mind his roving if he would let us know from time to time where he is. It costs little to send a line each change in location. You treat me badly also for you will not have your picture taken for me. Of course you are changing and when it comes I won’t know you if you wait much longer. Please go. I’ll send you $3.00 in green backs to pay for them then I shall expect to receive one not later than April. I wish it might reach me by my birthday but unless you have had your sitting before this I can’t expect it. I am glad you see some improvement in me. My hand writing grows worse because I write so fast. Now I expect two classes in and before these are through my teacher will be here so I’ve no time to write carefully to you at least. Of course some of my letters I must take time to make legible.

Today is the coldest day of the year according to Korean Almanac⁴ & it verily is. We have a great time keeping warm any time in our rooms. Today we Page 106 →have a fire in our little bathroom also but our study is a very cold room. The Korean houses are badly made. When the mud walls dry and leave cracks in the corners, the wind is very happy to creep in.

We are planning a new house for the East Gate.⁵ I am the architect so you see I’ve developed a new talent. My plan suits the others better than their own. I’ll send the plan home to you when it is settled which one is decided upon. I’ve drawn three, two of which we are undecided which to take as some things in one are liked & vice versa. We all went over to our East Gate property to select a site for the house. It is not decided who will live. It will not be I at any rate for a few years. I’ll probably stay in school work until I come back my second time then we do not know how it will be.

I’m glad Georgia is interested in missions but do not encourage her in the thought that she is to be a missionary. You did not encourage me nor did you put anything in my way. If she is a missionary I want her to be a God-made one.

Mrs. Paine writes she has written you & sent you a time table of steamers. I shall hope to get your letters in better time. Miss Paine’s are all dated 12 to 15 days later than mine so you must just miss the steamers each time.

Well I must say good bye I’ve been heading a class, having examinations, entertaining my teacher & a friend and writing at the same time.

Goodbye—You don’t know how I love you. Don’t forget the picture.

Lulu.

My Dear Mother:

Your two letters dated Dec. 9 and 18 came yesterday. The paper in which I read of Nettie’s serious illness received on the 10th of the month was dated the 7th of Dec., so you must have just missed the steamer. I cannot be thankful enough that you feel so encouraged about Nettie. If she can only tide over the spring months without any back sets she will be comparatively well in the summer. The winters in Ohio are too severe for her I fear. We have had a real cold winter but almost snowless. We haven’t a particle of snow on the ground now.

I’m so glad the things reached you safely. I only wish I could send you some Korean things also. You know those were all bought in Japan. Mrs. Ninde kindly offered to take anything home for me and pay all the express on them, but she has already 20 boxes for missionaries in China and Japan and I dread to Page 107 →burden her more. Another opportunity I can find to send you a few of Korea’s pretty things. They are few and not so portable as Japanese manufactures. Yesterday was the second of the four days of the brass ware display. I bought several pretty pieces, but of course I could not send anything so heavy so I’ll have to bring some of those things to you. But I think of you very often. I hope you will find the dress satisfactory. I did not pick it out as I had to order it colored. I selected a pattern which I liked much better than theirs. It was sent direct to Belle so I did not see it in the piece. Be sure to have it made in the summer. I fear eight yards is a very small pattern for Georgia and I’ll send to Japan as soon as I get at it for 3 or four yards more. I think you will find your pattern large enough. You found the letter did you not? The slippers I meant for you & I hope you will find them as useful and comfortable as Miss Paine & I do ours.

Georgia & Martha’s picture came yesterday safely. How sweet it is. Very good of Martha altho’ she shows how she has grown. George looks a little peaked, perhaps it is because she has her hair combed so plainly. I was thinking about asking Georgia to have a picture taken with Martha. So I am very pleased with it. So Georgia misses me——-Well I miss her I assure you & it makes a big lump come in my throat & tears in my eyes to think she won’t be little Georgia when I get home but big Georgia. That is the saddest of my musings. I have prayed God to spare you all until I get home again & I believe he will. Poor Grant! Why does he treat me so—not very brotherly. He never has written me but once since I came out here. I hope he will keep well in all his travels.

We are entertaining the Bishop’s two sons and do enjoy their company so much. One is 16 the other 18 years old. We have the Bishop & wife and Mr. & Mrs. Avison⁶ of the Pres[byterian] board here for tiffin today. I’m house keeper so the responsibility falls on my shoulders. We can depend pretty well on our little Chinese cook and our table boy, but if anything goes wrong it is a reflection on the house keeper.

Did Lida ever get my letter and the ’kerchief I enclosed after I returned from Japan and did you never get the little tortoise shell jinrikisha?——The gloves you speak of are not here yet, perhaps another mail will bring them. Pictures have come all right. Miss Paine received several presents both in the Christmas mail & the ones since. I think if my things are lost it must be near home. Now is a chance for father to work up his old beloved employment.⁷ I need the gloves badly so hope they will come soon.

Our conference is still going on and is very enjoyable. Yesterday was the reception of fraternal delegates and the greetings from members of the Northern & Southern Presbyterians, the Baptist man & Minister Sill & the responses Page 108 →from our mission were all so entertaining. We had instruction, wit, and pathos intermingled.

I have not time to write more altho’ my mind is full of things I want to tell you. What a time we will have talking when I’m home again. I sent Father a few days since, the Korean Repository⁸ for Jan. They are very valuable. Will you tell me month to month whether he receives them. I think he will enjoy them on account of the correct reports concerning the war and outcome of it. These are interesting times in Korea. I feel as if excavations were being made of the old city and a new one was being rapidly constructed.

Well I must close——I will write you again soon. I try to write every Monday to you as I did while in school. I have more letters to write than I did then, but it is no trial to write my home letters. Give my love to Nettie and the children & Frank & of course to father and Georgia—

Very lovingly—

Lulu E. Frey

[Labeled Tuesday.]

My Dear Mother,

Mail came today but brought me no home letter. I hope you are not sick or Nettie is not worse. I don’t want you to be driven to write to me. There would be no joy in either the writing or the receiving, but it is always a disappointment to not get a home letter every mail. The last mail brought me two letters, one of which had evidently just missed the steamer the time before. Don’t worry about it for I know you are busy and I’m busy and I’m too far away to help you so I’ll help as I can by being patient.

Mrs. Reid & the Bishop went away this morning. I had some tortoise shell pins for you and since she so kindly offered I thought I’d send them to you & Nettie. The little jinrikisha found its self some other place I guess since you have not written of receiving it. I send two fancy hair pins for you & Nettie. I thought you might like the round top & Nettie the one more pointed but suit yourself. The three little ones are Nettie’s & the 2 big ones are for you. They are real tortoise shell. Miss Paine sent through the mail a half doz of the little ones and it was opened and her friends had to pay $1.20 duty for them. I don’t tell you of their value for you to put them away but that you may appreciate them & wear them for my sake (if they are not out of style by this time).

Page 109 →It is very cold here now. This morning at seven o’clock it was at zero. A cold day for the Bishop’s party to ride 27 miles in chairs. Mr. Pauling⁹ went too. He is the Baptist young man and has gone to Yokohama to meet the future Mrs. Pauling. We like him very much. He is very earnest and too much of a church unity man to be a narrow Baptist. He communed with us at the close of our conference Tuesday last. He has bought property over by the palace. He says there is a community of 40,000 people and no missionary. There is plenty of room you see even in Seoul to say nothing of the interior of country & other cities.

I had a nice long letter from Lyda today. Poor girl—She would go back to Nettie in a minute if they asked her to, I know. She says she is slow and perhaps they can get someone who is better.

Write me just how Nettie is every mail. Make Georgia your amanuensis if you are too busy and father finds it impossible to write—

Lovingly Yours Lulu.

I think I acknowledged all pictures received. Hope the ring has reached you for Georgia & the tortoise shell bookmark for father.

[From Yukiye Nakao to Lulu Frey.¹⁰]

My Dear Lulu Frey,

I was very glad to received your letter and wanted to write you sooner than this. But I missed the steamer, so I hope you do not think that I had been neglected. I am very sorry to hear about your sister is sick. I am praying for her every night. I am sure that God will help her to bear her sickness, so don’t be sorry my dear which is not necessary to think too much when you are so far away, but just take care yourself. Won’t you dear. So you have Bishop Ninde in your place & having a nice meeting. Oh I wish I could be there although we had nice weekly meetings and a weekly sermon too, one week by another. These meetings had been effected very well upon the people. How did effect after the war in Korea? Are there many Chinese? I like to see deserted Korea after the battle. Do you see very many Japanese? I have no doubt that you will see them with the yell of Japan. Now we hear war news every day from China which is victorious of Japan. We Japanese take in captivity everyday, most wonderful news was yesterday’s that saying two great Man-of-War were sinked by attraction of Japanese army. Now Chinese Embassador has come to make peace with Page 110 →our country, and Mr. Faster came with them but this question did not accepted by our Emperor because they did not come as righteousness,¹¹ so they stayed Belvue Hotel in Nagasaki so Japanese school children are making fun of them though they do not harm of them, and policemen are watching him so no one can harm them nor enter in that Hotel without any reason. But my dear just to think our Japanese treat them very nicely but Chinese who live here never goes to see them. I say poor Chinese Embassador shut up in the hotel and they expect to leave Nagasaki on next Tuesday afternoon. Then I must by to see them how they look although I have no doubt they look like a pig tell [tail] as ever they are. Dear Lulu did you heard from Mrs. Swallen. Where is she? I like to hear from her and want to write a letter also, so if you know her address, will you please give me? Then I can write to her. Give my love to Miss Paine, and keep yourself plenty.

I am ever yours,

Y. Nakao

P.S.

If you want to see transcripts of school I will send you.

Good-night. I am very sleepy, so hardly keep my eyes, which stop my pen for this time. Give my love to Miss Lewis.

My Dear Mother:

This mail brought me one of your welcome letters. I think you don’t allow quite time enough for your letters to reach San Francisco for the last few have just missed the steamer so my home news is a little older than it need be. I have Grandma, Aunt Cin, Aunt Cal¹² & Mrs. Paine to pay for this delay, for you wrote them you said in your letter the day before when you should have written me. Now don’t think I’m always complaining, but you like to get my letters when they are but a month old and so do I. Yours dated the 28th of Dec—was received the 13th of February—full six weeks old. But I like them no matter how old they are and read & reread.

Today some papers and the package of gloves came all right. They are beautiful. You do not know how much I appreciate them. I was glad to see Nettie’s hand writing on the papers which came today. I presume this was some leftover mail in Japan. Often we get some missing papers several days after the regular American is in.—I sent yesterday two pictures. I presume you Page 111 →will recognize them please try to. The second number of the Korean Repository I sent to Father with this letter. Do not look too soon for the pins I sent by Mrs. Ninde for it will probably be some weeks yet before they leave Japan. The ring I hope Georgia has gotten by this time. Tell her to be very careful not to put it in water as she will turn the pearl black. She will appreciate it when she is older more than now. Isn’t it pretty? She fared well for Christmas. How nice they sent you a dress from the west. I wish you would send me a sample of it. The waist I have on in my picture is a pink silk one I had made in Japan. I think I sent you a sample.

In the letter I wrote you a week ago, I enclosed you an order on the M[ethodist] E[piscopal] Ch[urch] book rooms of N.Y. for $15. The exchange is very low now. I shall try to send you more when I can. I don’t want to be in debt to you, for I know money is not plentiful anywhere now. I do hope times are brightening a little. We are going to build a little church¹³ and since we have no funds appropriated we are going to begin it at least out of our own pockets. The work needs it badly.

We are in school again. Maggie Ramsey was quite delighted that you sent her a card and a kiss. If Georgia will write her a letter some day I feel sure Maggie will answer. She writes a very good letter. By the way I’ll enclose a letter from Yukiye. Our family had a good laugh and Miss Rothweiler made some copies of it on the hectograph, that is the part about the war. The Japs are set up dreadfully by their success in this war. I hope the Japs will soon put it into the King’s mind to clean up the city. Poor King! he doesn’t know how dirty it is for the sewers are all covered up the day before he comes out and the streets are swept for his majesty to ride along. The following day everything is again uncovered and things are as bad as ever.—My fever has been coming up again for the last few days and I feel rather discouraged. Mrs. Swallen has written for me to leave the city during the hot months and visit her. She is farther north on the shore, but I shall not accept unless I am obliged to for I don’t want to leave again this year. It is someone else’s turn to go.

Miss Rothweiler left San Francisco the 28th of Feb. I am afraid the shawl will be pretty dirty if you ever do find it.

We have such a sweet new little girl—she said she wanted to see the old lady so she came down to see me—my light hair is a wonder to these people. I hope we won’t spoil her.

Well, Good night—Give my love to all—

Your loving daughter—

Lulu E. Frey.

[From George F. Ninde.¹⁴]

My Dear Miss Rothweiler and our other “sisters” of the girls’ school:—

Will you excuse a joint letter? I have not forgotten Miss Lewis’ admonition, but you know how little time one has when travelling in the Orient. We are now especially cramped for time, as our steamer leaves on Friday and we have yet many things to do. We finally got away from Chemulpo as you doubtless know. I suggested, towards the last of our stay there when it did not seem very improbable that we should have to spend the rest of the winter there, that we hire a house and go to house-keeping. But, alas! There was not a house to be had. The town was overflowing with Japanese colonists. However, we were quite comfortable at Steward’s.¹⁵ They were very kind and attentive to us. The Japanese monopolized the town on the anniversary of the founding of the dynasty. It nearly equaled our 4th of July or Decoration Day.¹⁶ The sights and noise was enough to strike terror to the heart of Li Hung Chang¹⁷ or China’s emperor if they could have been there. Unfortunately four drunken coolies attacked our cook on the street and hurt him somewhat which made necessary the interference of the British consul; and they fairly compelled the poor Koreans to drink their abominable hot “sake,” which deed called down the indignation and disgust of all enemies of the liquor traffic like ourselves.¹⁸ The “Higo” finally entered the harbour. We should have had a rather dreary time had it not been for the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Jones during our stay in Chemulpo, and for the companionship of Mrs. Bishop¹⁹ and two customs’ house officers stopping at Steward’s. We very much enjoyed Captain Jones and the other officers of the Higo. We never met pleasanter ship officers. We had fine weather to Fusan. Here some of us went ashore and called on the Pres[byterian] Missionaries. We found them very delightful people. We reached Nagasaki in a pouring rain. Dr. Correll and Mrs. Fulkerson²⁰ came on board in a sampan to meet us. Dr. Correll’s daughters, Misses Grace and Edith are on their way to the United States. They expect to sail on the “China.” Will also is going to America on the “Empress.” Both boats leave Yokohama March 1st. The harbour was rough, the sky overcast and the barometer falling when we started on our way again. To Shimonoseki we were on the weather side of the land and our ship rolled so that we had to hang on to something to keep from pitching out of our berths. The things in the pantry knocking about made a great deal of noise. At Shimonoseki we found smoother water and had a delightful passage thro’ Page 113 →the Inland Sea. We had a very cold ride on the cars to Yokohama. We looked at Fuji San for hours as we skimmed along his base. He is very clear and beautiful. He is covered with snow more than half way to the base. It seemed nice to be in a comfortable and “civilized” place again after our wanderings since we left your pleasant home. We expect to sail on the Empress of India, March 1st. We prefer to go by Van Couver on account of the Customs and the quicker passage across, and as we want to see as much of the world as possible on this trip we shall greatly enjoy the Canadian Pacific route. Papa went to Tokyo for Sunday to preach and to dedicate our Mita church. We shall always remember with joy our happy and homelike stay with you all. I hope Hakbone is well and also Clarance, his servant Mr.—(I have forgotten his name) and Mrs. “Littlehouse.” Please remember us to all our friends in Seoul that you happen to see.

Yours Very Sincerely and Affectionately,

George F. Ninde

My Dear Mother:

Your writing your letter a day or two late for the San Francisco steamer gave me a good turn. The steamer left San Fran. the second and your letter reached there the 3rd of Feb. it was sent to Tacoma leaving there the 5th reaching Yokohama the 22th of Feb and received in Seoul today. It is dated the 29th of Jan. The San Francisco mail has not yet arrived altho’ it was scheduled to reach Yokohama the 19th three days earlier than the Tacoma steamer. This is the freshest letter I’ve ever had, only a month old. The letter which came two days ago which I answered yesterday or rather mailed yesterday is dated the 11th of Jan so I must have two letters coming between these dates. Miss Paine had a letter from a friend and your letter were the only two the household received. Write one day earlier so the letter won’t lay over in San Fran for 8 or 10 days—but don’t ruin your eyes or over drain your strength in order to do so.

I don’t have time to write you letters for publication. I sit down and quickly dash off the things which may have happened and I think will be of interest to you. I’ve never written a word for the Heathen Woman’s Friend²¹ to which I owe my first spare time. You know it takes more time to write for print than it does to write a friendly or a home letter altho’ in the end it may not be so interesting. If my letters are fit for others to see “all well & good” but I write as I would talk to you, as I like to do, of course it is “mixed up” as you say my letters are. However I shall try to do better.

Page 114 →I enjoyed Aunt Anna’s and Web’s letters so much. The handkerchief and Web’s picture were very acceptable. I’ll try and send Aunt Anna something, but I think it will be doubtful if I can get the silk for her as Korea is not a good place. The silks I sent home are Japanese, you know.—- I shall be so glad to get the Delineator.²² Nothing would please me better. Clara’s letter received two days ago—If nothing but my name and Seoul Korea were on I would get it without any trouble. You forget what an important person I am. (?) You know the foreign community is comparatively small so we are all well known. It is so kind of you to think of giving me a share in the Loan Association.²³ I sent you $15 not long ago and will send you more the first of April. I wish you and Georgia might be able to have a summer outing—Father likes restaurant fare, where he can order boiled eggs and beefsteak to his heart’s content. I don’t want to go away if I can help it, but Seoul is a fearfully hot city to say nothing of the filthiness of it. People could not get away last year on account of the war and there was so much sickness and quite a few deaths among the foreigners. Poor Grandma, Aunt Ann writes, is worrying about the Tong Haks. The foreigners and the Korean officials are not asleep——every tendency toward an uprising is quickly looked into. Whether the beheading of so many of them will diminish the numbers or make the sect only the stronger I don’t know. At any rate there is no immediate danger. We sleep as sweetly on this side of the world as you do.

I wrote you some time ago the result of my life policy application. I do not call it a total failure, but they were afraid to take the risk in this time of trouble in Korea. I may not be able to try again soon as there is no agent here now. The company is the old reliable “N.Y. Life.” I’m glad to have the statistics you sent as I shall be better posted next time I apply altho’ I do not think anything concerning my ancestry stood in the way. I’m so glad Nettie got moved into her new house. I wish I could step in upon her today. I feel she will get well again—I fear never so strong as she was before she married——when summer comes, but I hope she can go somewhere for the winter. I wish I could help her in some way.

I just bought some pretty silk for a waist. Once in a while we get bargains here in Seoul. I’ll send some for Georgia to trim one of her winter dresses. I think there will be some left. Yes I was so glad to get your samples. Anything that pleases or interests you interests me also.——I’ve not forgotten about Father’s nice long letter, will try to answer soon—I can’t write the same things to him I can to you. There is only one of me, and there are three of you. I did so enjoy Georgia’s & Martha’s letters. I sent you a chumony & letter from Maggie Ramsey also a small roll of the writing paper yesterday. In today’s letter you Page 115 →ask for it. I almost always leave some for you on my letters but the last time I wrote you on that kind I forgot about it. Well Goodbye—if I have time Monday before this is mailed I’ll write a little more—

Love to all—

Lulu.

Dear Georgia:

Your letter & Martha’s letter received a few days ago. I will write Martha soon. I am glad you have received all the things I’ve sent you. If your ring is too big, keep it until you are a little older, you will soon grow into it. Aunt Lucinda gave me the band ring I am now wearing when I was twelve years old & I have worn it ever since. Be careful not to let your ring get wet as it will turn the pearl dark.

It is almost time for your spring vacation and I know you will be glad of the rest. I wish I could spend it with you. What would we do?

I’ve only a few moments to write before school. I was so delighted to get your and Martha’s picture; they are so good of both of you. Did Mother receive the ones of Miss Paine & myself? Do you like them?

I am troubled about Nettie. You must do all you can for her and for Mamma too. As much as I would do if I were home. Of course when you are in school you can’t do much but it won’t be long now until the summer vacation.

We are getting ready for the marriage of one of our girls and we are very busy.

Well, Good bye dear—

Lovingly Yours

Lulu

Dear Mother:

I must take time to scratch off a few lines to you on my birthday. Yes I am 27 years old. I don’t mind getting old if I have sense commensurate to my years. My friends remembered me well. Miss Paine gave me 1/2 dozen fine linen handkerchiefs. Miss Harris a pretty silk one, Miss Lewis a lacquer box, Miss Rothweiler a Korean stone inkstand such as the Koreans use. Your kid gloves and Aunt Anna’s handkerchiefs I include in the list. Today we received from Japan Page 116 →from the Ninde boys a box of beautiful fine drawn work kerchiefs; 18—3 for each of the family. This is Miss Rothweiler’s birthday too. I think she is 41 or 42.

Dr. Cutler has gone to Chemulpo for a vacation of a few weeks—in fact she has gone to help Mrs. Jones. She expects to be confined soon. Miss Paine & I gave her a beautiful baby cloak lined with pale blue silk which we had made in Japan. Mr. and Mrs. Noble²⁴ will go home soon—Mrs. Noble is very poorly—we fear she has consumption. It is a great trial for them to give up their work here. Bishop Ninde told them he would try to get him an appointment in California if he wished it.

I had a lovely letter two days ago from Miss Ricketts who left for Siam under the Presbyterian board a month before I left America. She has been sick ever since she came out and has never had any work assigned. My malaria doesn’t interfere with my work much but it tells on my study. I’ve lost so much because my fever comes up in the afternoon and it is such hard work to study then. I wrote Grant a letter on the 6th his birthday and one to father yesterday which I enclosed in an envelope addressed to Georgia containing a letter from Maggie Ramsey. You say you never hear of the substantials I have to eat? Well last night we had sweet potatoes, onions and pheasant all stewed together—-O dear—We have lived on canned vegetables all winter and were glad to pay the exorbitant price to have a change but to have it served up that way! We have a new cook who does very well but this was a new dish we were not expecting.

We are going over to Mrs. Allen’s for Afternoon tea so I must say goodbye and close—

Lovingly—

Lulu

My Dear Precious Mother:

Monday has come around again and I must write you a few lines at least. The last letter I hurried so I did not half answer your letter. About the spoons: I bought them in Nagasaki—all the things I sent you for Christmas I bought in Japan. Korean wares are very crude. I was a little sorry I was obliged to send you the prices of the things not that I want to deceive you but that I knew it would be told outside. Some time, if I have another opportunity I will send you some of those spoons—you can do as you please about them They are solid silver and would be sold for no less than $200²⁵ a piece in America. I presume Page 117 →it is the cheapness that attracts outside people as well as the beauty. If you sell anything I send home to you don’t sell them for less than American market prices. I’d rather give them away to friends. Perhaps I’m wrong but I never felt the Dickinsons or Howenstines²⁶ cared anything for me but that doesn’t matter. The fact is I can’t send them now for I am in Korea the spoons in Nagasaki and you in America. I like to send presents home but don’t care to make a traffic of it. When I come home if I can save up enough money I want to bring many of the pretty things I see.

Tomorrow is the long looked for wedding day. Today the professional woman is here pulling out the girl’s hair. I wrote you how the hair is evened around the forehead in this shape [diagram of angular steps] at marriage and put up in the back; up to the wedding day the hair is worn girl fashion down the back.

I wish you could be here and have the “Kugyung.”²⁷—It is no little job or expense to marry a girl in Korea. But the awfulness of it is that they have never seen each other. The first three nights they sleep here and the three intervening days the groom is fed on the finest of the land, five meals a day. We are having a week’s vacation because of the wedding—no, this is the regular Spring vacation time and we purposely set the wedding day this time.

Dr. Cutler is still rusticating in Chemulpo. Our 33 sick girls have all gotten well. The weather is beautiful now. This morning we went to see what the little rain yesterday had done for our garden. Everything looks fine. I fixed the strawberry bed a few days ago. The grub worms had eaten them off so badly that I had to fill up with new plants. The grubs get into the trees and the grape vines till every year we have to cut off so many limbs. Is it so at home. I do not remember hearing father say.

Dr. Underwood has bought a lovely place for the summer down by the river five miles from the city. He has put up a house which will soon be finished then they will go down for the summer. It is a great question what to do for the hot season. If we were home we would go to Chautauqua²⁸ wouldn’t we? The heat out here is so different the air is steamy hot like the heat of a hothouse.

I’ll try to send you some money so you can have a week or so outing this summer. Is Father well? He never needs a change, so he says. I wish I could feel Nettie too was having a restful time but I feel more anxious that she be some other place for the coming winter. A summer in Bellefontaine is not bad as far as heat is concerned. I will enclose a letter of George Ninde’s after they left here. We thought it quite interesting.

Page 118 →Excuse paper. Tell me of Grant—I’m disgusted that he doesn’t write to me.

L.E.F.

Dear Father and Mother:

This is the date of your 34th anniversary. I hope it will be a very happy day to you. You are still asleep and we have begun our busy day. If you could see how marriages are made in this country, you would be very glad that your lot was not cast in a heathen country.

We call the bride Carrie. She came in last night poor girl to tell us how thankful she was for all we had done for her. Her eyes full of tears and her voice so choked she could hardly speak. She goes into a family of Christians, but near her new home some of her relatives live who are not believers. She has very much trouble about it, but she leaves us with great hope of winning them for Christ. Near her home is one of our chapels and she will be a great help there.

I send Mother $35 for her summer outing. I want her to use it on herself. Do you understand & not on me? I wish I had a wedding present for Father too—will you accept lots of love?

I haven’t time to write more—

With much love & the hope you both be spared to me for many years—

I am your affectionate daughter

Lulu E. Frey.

Apr. 12 Was delayed in sending this—Hope it will reach you safely. The Presbyterians have had a large reinforcement will write you about them soon, I’m feeling very well but am busy.

Lovingly—

Lulu.

My Dear Mother:

Today we got a very funny mail—Each of us got papers but no letters. We think the letters all held. Perhaps the mail was too large for the courier to carry from Chemulpo. So I’m looking for a letter tomorrow. March 12 and 15 Rep.²⁹ came today. I was delighted to find your name among the voters.³⁰

Page 119 →We have been so busy for two weeks, getting our house cleaned. We have had to watch the papers closely—they steal the paper right under your eye, if one is not careful. Foreign paper is quite desirable. Our school rooms look real fresh & pretty. We put in more desks today for our school is growing so fast.³¹ We turned two away day before yesterday, took one in yesterday and had application for two today. The one we took in yesterday ran away from her master (she is a slave) heard of us through someone who came to the hospital and begged to be taken in. We couldn’t turn the poor thing away to be beaten as she has been so we told her if she did no bad work we would keep her. I got her some clean clothes, soap, towel, comb and lice medicine and ordered her to go to the bathroom and wash well. There was quite a transformation in her. Of course we expect her owner to hunt her up, but we feel we have the law on our side. A few days after one of our little girls came to us the woman who put her here came to take her away saying her father had sold her and her mother to a high man. We refused to give her up for according to the new laws no slavery is allowed. We said we would have the man put in prison for breaking the law. The woman refused to tell the man’s name, left and we have heard nothing of her or the man since. We shall do the same with the people who demand this girl; should they do so. She is 15 years old now, older than we take girls in in ordinary circumstances.

Our room looks real pretty and summery. We had a mantle drapery of the Corean silk like I sent for Georgia a sash and had it colored light green, the color of our new paper. I sent Nettie samples of the paper. Our curtains the same color made of the “whangma” like Georgia’s dress. We bought a new table cover with green and corresponding shades of some Japanese goods. We have the mosquito netting of the same shade. The Koreans are great people to color. They color their dresses every time they are washed as well as their husband’s clothes. It looked so funny at first to see the men out in pale blue, pale green, lavender, pink and many other delicate colors. I’ve told you before that their clothes even to their stockings are all ripped before washing and dyeing.

We begin school again Monday and I shall be glad to get down to regular work again. I haven’t been idle I assure you—more busy than on school days. I wish you could see our bright faced girls. Last night Mr. Sill lectured on “Spiders.” I felt too tired to go out. Miss Harris enjoyed it ever so much. He is a very entertaining talker. He was chairman of the meeting held in the Reading room for the discussion of a new road. It is to be as near like an Am[erican] road as possible to be an object lesson to the people of what streets in a civilized city should be. It will cost the foreigners at least $1,000.

Page 120 →My letter is stringing out and I’ve not told you half I want to. It is bed time, too, but I must tell you about the peace declaration.³² Of course long before this reaches you you will have learned through the telegrams but perhaps not the straight of it. The Chinese promise to pay $450,000,000 (silver),³³ 3000 oz. of gold, all the ground they have gained by battle, the island of Formosa and another district which I have only heard the Chinese name of. Hasn’t Japan feathered her cap well?

We are having great excitement now over the imprisonment of the grandson³⁴ of Tai Won Kun³⁵ who is the father of the King.³⁶ When I know more of it I will write you. No—the King & I are not very intimate(?)—I have seen him & that is all. The home papers are full of descriptions of the King.³⁷ Harper’s Weekly had him pictured riding in a beautiful barouche in the most beautiful street. The artist evidently had never seen Seoul or did not have any regard for his own veracity.

Monday Morning April 22

This is a beautiful spring morning. The azaleas are blooming beautifully. They bloom before the leaves of the trees are out.

I hope you received my letter safely with the check inclosed.—Perhaps you can go to Lakeside for a few days—It cost me less than $25 the two weeks I was there. I wrote Nettie a letter last week, also.

So sorry to hear of Mr. Kennedy’s death. I was glad not to find any death notices in the last two papers. There will certainly be great changes before I am home again.

You did not say where Grant had gone in your letter but Nettie’s letter supplemented it. Hope this letter will find you all well. I look for a letter from you today. Sent The Repository today—Am glad Father enjoys them.

Very lovingly Yours,

Lulu.

My Dear Mother:

I wrote Nettie a few [days] ago and am writing a letter to father. Your letter came dated June 7th. Only one arrived this time. I usually receive two from you. I’m sorry to hear Nettie is no better. I think she will feel better after a while. She has a great deal of will power but she is careless. I feel that her own imprudence Page 121 →has brought on a great deal of her sickness. She may yet live longer than some of us strong ones. The letter I wrote her was not worth the postage. I’m not capable, it seems, of writing anything readable lately.

I guess the rainy season has begun. It is raining today. Last night it rained all night. I did not sleep scarcely any. I cannot sleep after I have Sunday work to do; it makes me so nervous. I guess school work is best for me.

Tell me about Ida & Mary McKee. I saw by the paper that they had each gentleman guests. Does that mean that the kindergarten will change hands or be dropped. Girls can’t be depended upon. Even the W.F.M.S. workers sometimes marry. Lately two, one from China and one from Japan whom they expected to send out again have married while home on their furlough. It must be disappointing to the ladies, for one certainly must be of more value the second five years than the first.

Did I ever tell you of Miss Johnson? One of the Chicago girls who expected to go out at the same time I did but for some reason was not sent. She was already to start last fall or winter when she was taken sick and died. She was appointed to Fouchou,³⁸ China.

You ask me about Nettie’s pictures—I have none of any description nor none of you. I think it is so careless of you. The one of Nettie you speak of is in a pasteboard box among some old pictures. The box used to sit on the floor under the parlor stand. She has not looked like that for years. The one I speak of is one with a hat on she had taken, I think, the winter you were south. If she should get well enough to come into town this summer coax her to have her picture taken for me.—You must use tact in reaching her, for she is very sensitive as all consumptive invalids are.

I am anxiously awaiting Grant’s letter. Why he should treat me so I do not know. He is a strange fellow. I am sorry Grandma gets no better; is even more feeble. I must try to find time to write. They are so critical that I do not like to write to Sidney.³⁹ I want to send Aunt Anna something. I wish when you have opportunity you would see if she has any little silver salt spoons. She has most everything you know. I do not want to send her anything cheap or useless unless it is a curio and they are so scarce. Please don’t mention it to her as I may think of something else. I sent Etta Snay a half dozen for a present. I think her birthday is sometime this summer. Etta is a good friend of mine. I guess Laura has forgotten me.

Miss Paine has been having boils in a very uncomfortable place. Is better now unless a new one develops. Our strawberries and raspberries are gone—this rain and a little sun will bring out the blackberries nicely. Are you putting Page 122 →up much fruit? We have some apple trees which are bearing quite well this year. When they have their full growth we will have a good crop. I like to go out now & then and find one to eat. You know apples are one of the things Koreans don’t have. I guess they have a kind of a crab apple. I’m so much better when I can have fruit.

I think of you very often & wish I might be with you to share the burden that falls upon you because of Nettie’s sickness. I suspect I would be out there with her if I were at home. I try not to worry—Hope for the best every letter which I open from you, yet try to keep prepared for the worst.

It is almost dinner time. I am waiting for the bell—am quite hungry. We have ice-cream every night. Clara—one of our school girls who has been sick in the hospital for months, has taken a notion to it so we send her down some every day. There are a few things of our food the Koreans like. We think our cook likes too many thing[s]. I’d die surely I know if I had to live on Korean food. None of the foreigners attempt it excepting the men on their country trips then they take crackers, tea and sugar to help out. Mr. McKenzie⁴⁰ tried it but only lived a year and a half here. I wrote you of his death a couple of letters ago—We do not yet know the particulars. Well the dinner bell calls me—

Goodbye—

Lovingly—

Lulu

Dear Mother:

I’m almost too tired to think much less thinking and writing both. I’ll have to make my letters make up in numbers what they lack in quantity and quality. Miss Paine left suddenly for Japan Sat. A.M. She had been suffering with toothache and went to Japan to see a dentist. I’m left alone in this big house. In the day time I’m too busy to think. At night I have our teacher & Bible woman and general stand by—Susan⁴¹—stay during the night with me.

I don’t know what to say about Nettie—if I think even, I’m crying. There is nothing I can do but wait for the illness which from your letters seems inevitable. I’ve been careful what I write for the reason you speak of. I’ve had no heart to send her things for the same reason. As for her being ready to die—I’ve thought at times she was very spiritual—but you know it is but a consumptive Page 123 →symptom to cling to life. When she finds she must give up life I think she will be ready for death. While we as Christians are not afraid to die, we do not covet death. Dying grace you wish to tell me is given when the time comes. As for myself—I try to live right from day to day, have no fear of death—when it comes I’ll be ready for it. God gives us a love for life—without it we would be useless.

Cholera is increasing.—We none of us know what we may be called on to do. Don’t worry—Every precaution will be taken. Tomorrow we have a prayer service. Eight years ago when people were dying here by the thousands and the doctors said nothing but cold weather would stop it a prayer service was held and in midsummer the scourge was miraculously stayed.

Well what about Mrs. Marquis—?⁴² I see nothing of her in the paper. I received a splendid picture of Jasmine Wright and her baby a few days ago. I’m sorry Georgie has been so slow in writing Maggie. She has waited patiently flat on her back these hot days—She would so appreciate one—I will hand her this commencement which you enclosed. I’m so glad about Annie and Nannie. I wish Nannie would write me I’d like to have her as one of my correspondents but have no time to write the first letter.

I’m afraid I’ll not be fortunate enough to get the rest of the silk for George soon as Miss Harris & Rothweiler, on account of the cholera in the north of Japan, will probably not leave Nagasaki. Tell me if you are keeping the silk or if you have done anything with it.

I answered your question about Nettie’s pictures in my last letter. I have none of any description of her. I wish you could see the pretty little desk I’m writing on. I had the China-man make it for me. It is so pretty and convenient. I paid the equivalent of $10 for it. I doubt if I could get it for that at home. The piece above the shelf is carved and has a round mirror in the center; the lid which closes as ours at home does, is prettily carved. The bottom has three big drawers with carving below—I am quite proud of it.

No, I’ve not heard lately—I answered Lida’s last letter about a month ago.—I must close for I’m so tired. I’ve done the work of 4 people today—one thing after another until my head is all in a whirl. I’m afraid I’ll have to go someplace for a rest after all when the others return. Write me as often as you can. Letters often come by Tacoma as well as San Francisco.

Love to Nettie, Frank, children, father and all—-

Yours

Lulu

My Dear Mother:

A few days since I wrote you a postal card. Yesterday mail came bringing me two letters from you, June 27 & July 9. Yes, sometimes the letters go quickly, but not fast enough now that you are in trouble at home. I’m doubly anxious for the next letter to know of Nettie and of Frank. I cannot imagine what the insinuation means. You see by the head lines I am muddled as to time & place.⁴³ I shall be glad to learn even the worst. I cannot but think Nettie will be better off dead—She has suffered greatly—but the children—My love for them prompts me to give my life to them if I were at home, yet I feel very distinctly that I’m where God wants me and I’m satisfied that he will provide for them some way. It is natural that Frank should not want to give the children up. If Frank were the one dying we would think it preposterous for the Dickinsons to talk of taking the children. We must look at it from this standpoint as well as ours.

Misses Paine & Harris are back. Josephine says to tell you she is glad to get back safely to the bosom of her family. We only know how much we love each other by being separated. I have a faint idea that I may yet go to Wonsan to see Mrs. Swallen before school takes up. I’m so tired and I am afraid I cannot get rested with such a lot of people around me. We don’t get so tired physically as we do mentally nervous out here.—It is very different from home tiredness. A few good nights’ sleep will usually remedy physical weariness.

I don’t see how I can go with this wedding coming on, however I’m planning just a little for it. We have $50 travelling money given us every summer if we use it. While that does not go far if one takes an ocean trip as we have to, to go anywhere, yet with a little I have saved I can afford it. Miss Paine and I were so disappointed that you could not go to Boston, but of course Nettie in her condition, it was quite impossible for you to leave. I hope some future time you can go. You & Georgie would enjoy the sights and then you & Mrs. Paine would enjoy each other—I think. So sorry you did not receive the letter asking about the loan. I wrote a long long letter asking about the pedigree on my mother’s side.—Who were the Ames? Miss Harris’ Grandfather was Myson Ames, his great-grandfather Henry Ames & Great-great-grandfather Joseph Ames. The Grandfather’s birthplace was Salisbury, Vermont. They afterwards moved to Fair Haven where my grandfather was born. Do you think they may have been cousins? I have in mind that grandpa’s mother was an Ames,⁴⁴ still I Page 125 →remember your speaking of Grandmother Cottington. I am somewhat mixed as to my ancestors. Please write them up at your leisure and inform me.

In the same letter I asked the questions concerning the loans. Miss Paine and I hope to lay up a little in some way. We have about given up life insurance. Do you not think the loan better? What are the payments, what is the interest? We think perhaps we could carry five shares each. Will you find out and write us. If there is any printed matter on the subject please send it, too.

Miss Paine comes back from Japan with quite a few new dresses. I made me a new white shirt-waist and a real pretty pongee wrapper. I do wish I had some new hats.—I’ll try and tell you in a few days what I want you to send to Cal[ifornia] for me. We will probably have an order come out in October from San Francisco. I did so enjoy Grant’s letter. I wish he would write me often. He says he will write once a month, but he will probably write once a year. Don’t you think so?

As yet we are all kept well. The dread disease is sweeping away many hundreds. Today, a mother almost crazed brought her baby to the hospital, but it was too late, the child died in her arms. It is so pitiful to see the distress. The people are very poor & so many orphans are left without homes.

Quite a number out here have bicycles out here, I think I’ll get one when I go home again, if we do not find any better mode of travelling than the chair. It is expensive and tiresome. I did not mean to seem ungrateful for the loan share you took for me, I simply want to add a few more to the stock. I am sorry if you used any of the money I sent you. Grant tells me he sent father $250 to help him out in something. I’m glad he is in a position to help.

I send you by today’s mail the silk like Georgia’s dress. Hope it will make up prettily. It will make her a pretty evening dress. It will wash without fading so can be made over if necessary sometime. Have you had yours made? If it is not a good black hadn’t you better have it recolored?

Miss Rothweiler is still in Japan, not able to return. We look for Bishop Walden⁴⁵ next week.

I cannot bear to think of Mr. & Mrs. Havighurst going away. Have they more than the one child? I haven’t as yet received the Colton cheque (?) for the new church nor had a letter lately from Mary. Maggie is waiting anxiously for Georgia’s letter. She comes in every time a mail comes to know if her letter has come. I am afraid Georgia is not a good correspondent. Miss Paine was fortunate in getting this remnant of silk like Georgia’s dress. I hope it is just like it I have no sample here.

Page 126 →Well, with much love to you one and all——-

I am Your daughter,

Lulu E. Frey.

My Dear Mother:

Your letter written July 30th was gladly received for we had had such a long wait for the mail.—Our Conference closed today. We were obliged to have it without the Bishop for he found it impossible to get here by steamer in time to have conference & take another steamer which would take him in time to his China Conf. We have had considerable writing to do because of the fall conventions or meetings of the W. F. Miss. Soc. We have asked the Ladies at home to send us four new workers and money to build two new houses. We want to build a new foreign house for ourselves and use our school building for school purposes alone. We are in straits for dormitories. We plan to use the front of our house which we have now for the school rooms & make the old school rooms into bed rooms. We can accommodate fifty now. We think with a few alterations the building can be made to accommodate 150 or more. Our school is filling up rapidly altho’ we do not expect to open for ten days yet. Almost all of the old girls are back and several new ones. We are so busy preparing for a wedding. Lucy Alderman⁴⁶ is to be married tomorrow. She is a very sweet girl and has been a great help to us. We shall miss her very much. She speaks English very well and is quite a bright girl. She marries the Doctor’s helper of the Men’s hospital.

I am glad you have waited for the silk. I sent it about two weeks ago. Miss Paine was fortunate enough to find that remnant. I hope it will be enough to make her a pretty summer dress. I quite enjoyed the pretty foulard silk I used to have when I was near Georgia’s age. Mine would not wash, hers will wash well. About the silk for Aunt Anna, if I go to Japan next summer I will be glad to bring her anything she wants, but I cannot get much here. The slippers I bought in Northern Japan. I hardly think I can go there again before I go home. I want to send Aunt Anna something she will appreciate for next Christmas. I am glad you and she are so friendly again—but mother dear, don’t be too confidential, I am a little distrustful of her. She does not like me, so don’t consult her as to me. I do not want you to mention my financial affairs (if I have any) to anyone, least of all to unsympathizers. I know you will respect my wishes. Yes, she did like Page 127 →Nettie, but never me. I wrote Web and sent him some stamps. I will try & write Grandma this week. I am so sorry she suffers so much. What beside her age is the trouble? I think they are doing right to send Web to school—however he is too young yet. He should have finished in high school first.

You did not satisfy me as to Georgia’s going to Lakeside. Why did you not go with her? Who did she go with? I hope she will write her sister a letter. She treats me shabbily—don’t you think? If you could see us on mail day, you would not regret the time you have taken to write.

Today was the opening of tennis for the fall. We are hoping that the cholera is over now. We still have a few sick ones but not any dangerous ones. There is only a bare difference between cholera and dysentery. If the patient dies it is cholera every time by verdict of the doctors; if he lives it is cholera morbus. I say since cholera is here in such abundance that all cholera morbus is cholera if care is not taken in the beginning. How quick our little Pongui⁴⁷ died - 12 hours from the time I picked her up in the back yard till she was dead. Sometimes they die in but 2 or three hours. Well you are tired of reading of cholera.

No, Mary has not yet answered my letter. I think she will in time, however. Mame Hillman⁴⁸ sent me seven dollars in the letter I got on the last mail from her but she specified it was for the East Gate work. She became interested in that from a letter I wrote from there when Miss Paine and I spent a week there a year ago. We have asked as I said for a new house there for resident missionaries.

I received a letter from Clarabel Miller from Indianapolis—She wrote from Mr. Oaks’. Don’t say anything to offend but mention incidentally that it takes five cents for a letter out here. She and Hattie Frey always put on a two-cent stamp.

I don’t know why I have written this so finely I have plenty of paper and you will have to look well through your glasses to read it.—The foundation of the new church is being laid and we have great hopes that before many months it will be ready for us to enter.⁴⁹ Little by little the money comes in. A few have given largely, but we so much appreciate the little the poor of the Koreans give. It shows a good spirit in the native church.—

The California address is 414-418 Front Street—Smith Cash Store—.⁵⁰ If you have any little thing you can send to them. We will send the order off soon so what you send will have to be sent soon. I do not know of anything practicable to send for I can buy anything there in San Francisco I need. Next Spring I want you to have me made a pretty black lawn of some sort. I have worn the one Page 128 →Nettie gave me so long, now it looks quite rusty besides being patched. Have it made the spring style & send out with our Spring order. I will let you know in time. Don’t trouble about sending me much of anything. Miss Paine’s box will soon be here now. Well—bed-time bids me stop. Tomorrow will be a full day. Mrs. Rothweiler is still in Japan. I hope Grant is better. Keep me posted.

Write me as usual—Love to father & Georgia,

Lovingly—

Lulu E. Frey.

Wednesday A.M.

We have a pretty bright day for the wedding. Another thing of importance occurs today. Our Mary⁵¹ who is the Doctor’s helper is to go to the palace to interpret at a banquet for the queen. We are glad she will go, for we feel sure she will lose no opportunity for a word for Jesus. She is a very earnest worker. Her husband went to America a year ago. He is in Roanoke College. That is in Virginia is it not? The Presbyterians with but one or two exceptions are still out of the city.

I have an errand to “Japan town”⁵² so must close—

Lovingly Yours—

Lulu E. Frey.

Dear Georgia:

By this time you are of course busy again with your studies and I know you are happy. Are you not?

I am so glad you went to Lakeside for a few days. I know you enjoyed it thoroughly and learned a great many things which books don’t tell you.

I was glad to receive your letter. I wish you would write me often. Will you? Write Maggie too. I am ashamed to tell her every mail day that you have not yet written. Mother taught me when I was a little girl to always acknowledge any gift or the receipt of money immediately and it comes quite natural now to do so. Wouldn’t it be well if you too listened to her words?

So Nettie has left us. I cannot bear to think of going home and not finding her there glad to see me again. Poor girl, she has suffered so much and now her pain is all over. She was a good sister to us so we must be good to the children. Page 129 →Poor Frank of course he wants to keep them as long as he is able to do so. I hope he will write me.

How is Mary and the baby? Why did she not go to Lakeside? Is Mamma going anywhere? Is she well? Now I have asked you four questions don’t forget to answer all. I wrote Grandma a letter last week. I hope she will live until I get home again but then, if she has to suffer all the time I feel it an almost wicked wish.

Yesterday we had a great day. We had the laying of the corner stone of the new church. We took a collection of $143.31 (Mexican).⁵³ Mamma will tell you that is considerably less than our dollars would make it. The value of a Japanese or Korean dollar is the same as a Mexican dollar.

Are you saving foreign stamps? I think that would be nice for you to do, for you would learn about so many countries which you are ignorant of now. I want you to know a great deal for I know so very little. Learn every lesson well—then you will never be ashamed when you grow older. I think Mr. Smith will be a good teacher. It is good to have a change, perhaps.

A little girl who was sick in the hospital for a good many months died yesterday and was buried last evening.⁵⁴ She had suffered so & wanted to die so badly. We have one of our girls in the hospital very sick too. We think she will die any time now. She too has suffered for many months and we cannot be too grieved when she dies. She made little thimbles & sent them to America and had four dollars for the church yesterday. Our little girls all had saved a string of cash for the collection and were as happy as could be to give it. Pongui, our little girl who died of cholera so suddenly—she was your age—had saved 800 cash (about 16 American pennies that is very much here) which we found in her box. Her mother was here this morning & cried so hard, poor woman. We shall miss her so when school begins for she was so bright. Have you heard from Grant since he went to Europe?

Lovingly—

Lulu.

My Dear Mother:

Today is Monday. We have had no school because of the burial of Clara. Poor child she has been sick so long and suffered so much that I can’t grieve much Page 130 →that she is gone. She was so ready to die and longing from day to day to be taken. It was very pathetic to see her selecting a little token from all her gifts for each of her friends. A little card or some pieces of silk or a box—all things she had prized & saved for long. To her old friend & teacher Mrs. Ye, she gave a little perfume bottle, to Mrs. Hulbert a half of a little gourd, to Miss Paine a piece of ribbon to me some silk pieces & an Easter card. The day she died, she was asked if she was going to heaven and she said “Yes I’m going now” and she went like one well prepared for a journey.

It is this sickness and dying which wears on me. You know I’ve never been used to much and it makes me frightfully nervous. The day Pongui died of cholera & was buried so quickly at night I lay awake all night simply waiting for day light. I can’t sleep after such care. A few nights ago one of the girls called me that one of the youngsters had fallen out of the study room window. We examined her, found no ribs broken as we first feared & saw that she was more frightened than hurt, but I had a nervous chill after it was over. It is so foolish, but I can’t help it. It is this that wears on me so, not the actual work I do. I had no vacation this summer, I fear that has something to do with it.

We buried our little girl today in the Christian manner with flowers in the coffin and the people were so pleased. The native custom is to bind the body tightly. They said, “Why she looks like she is asleep!” The fear they have for the mummy like body is taken away when they can see the face & form with clothes on.

I have not heard from you since I wrote last and nothing has happened to speak of. The event of the season in Seoul is to be the Decennial meeting to be held Oct. 9 and 10 to close with a banquet. The missionaries have been here ten years and enough has been accomplished to warrant a jubilee⁵⁵ (I can’t spell any more).

Tennis gives us recreation two afternoons in a week. Some lady serves tea & cakes in the library building which is on the tennis grounds and it is quite a diversion.

September 22 [24]

Last evening Miss Paine, Miss Harris & myself went to Mrs. Bunker’s. She & her husband went to America via Europe two years ago and returned last Spring under our mission board.⁵⁶ We took out note books and pencils & took the price of tickets from place to place and the boarding places which she recommended. It is a long time off but I shall make the attempt when my Page 131 →home-going time arrives to go around that way.⁵⁷ They say the actual fare is no more and the education and pleasure more than repays the extra money it costs. If I have time today I will copy the list and you can get your geography and take an imaginary trip every place as you like to do. Tell me the things of interest I want to see in each place as you have read or read of them. I have no time for reading except magazine reading which I pick up at odd moments.

School teachers in America do not need to prepare for a geography lesson or a simple reading lesson but when one must teach in a foreign language it takes time to get ready. I don’t even have time to do that study justice. Miss Paine and I have planned to go around by Europe together but I do not see how it can be managed. I had thought my first trip home should be by San Francisco for around the other way it takes three times as long for one wants to see all the sights on the way. I have changed my mind and think it best to go my first opportunity for I cannot tell—there may be some hindrance to my coming out again. If you should leave us, I should feel that Georgia needed me a few years. I have great plans for her. I want her to correct some of my mistakes. Do what you can to have her common school education thorough. Don’t push her, one grade at a time is enough, no matter if others skip & go ahead. It may be a mortification at the time, but her knowledge will be superficial and not solid. High school Latin is sufficient for all ordinary walks of life. I would have her spend the extra time on modern languages & music. Don’t work her too hard but have her keep up her music. I have often thought I would invest my little in a piano which she could use and which I could convert again into money when I found it necessary. What would I have to pay for one in installments? What school I want her to attend I do not know for that would depend on the kind of a young lady she proves to be. But I prefer to not have her graduate in college if she must take all the things required in the course at the expense of some things not in the course which I consider more practicable. One must live and learn. I have learned a few things by experience and intend that she shall profit by it.

Well I must hastily close as we see a mail flag across the city and must send over to the office. No hope of American mail for it is too soon after the date of reaching Yokohama, however it may bring Tacoma mail as it does once in a while——

Lovingly—

Lulu E. F.

I hope father will take a notion to write me and tell me about Nettie.

Dear Mother:

It is Monday night. Last week I cut you off with a postal card, a thing I hope you will never do to me. I have just finished a flannel jacket I made to wear to school in the cold winter mornings. There is no Chinese tailor here now so we are obliged to do the little we must have done, ourselves. I cut out a jacket for Miss Paine while waiting for my teacher to come. I expect to fix it for a Korean woman to finish. I consider myself fortunate to know the little I do about sewing.⁵⁸ The fact is no knowledge on any line is very lost, especially in the ends of the earth.

Word came from Japan today that the boxes had been reshipped from Kobe so we will have the pleasure in a few days of opening them; it is such lots of fun.

This is to be a gay week. The Presbyterians have gathered for their annual meeting and the opportunity of their coming made us push the time of the Decennial meeting for this week. I think the Presbytery meets next week. I can best tell you of it after it is over. Mr. Swallen came from Wonsan but Mrs. S- could not because of the babies.

I am glad Georgia appreciates money so much and can make it go so far. If she can make a little go a great ways, perhaps we can send her to Europe for music and languages. I am anxious that one of our family shall be truly educated.—I don’t remember just what I said in my last letter but I know I was sorry afterward I did not tell you to say nothing about it to Aunt Anna or anybody for that matter. O I know about my return by Europe. People don’t understand missionaries—are apt to think us mercenary etc. while it is simply improving the opportunities at hand.

Sorry to hear of Geo. Guy’s trouble. I wonder it had not occurred before. A strange mixed up family.

Don’t worry about me. The others are back and the cholera is over for the year we hope. I am happy in my work and comparatively well. Have only one degree of fever every day and will not complain if I keep as I am for I can do my work very comfortably.

I hope Grant will not relapse into his former silence, for I’ve so enjoyed his letters. Where is he in Europe and what business is he in? Surveying? Presume you have received Georgia’s silk. I sent it to you in August. Glad she had not cut the silk. Another summer it will make her a pretty dress.

I am going to try to save a few stray pennies so that when I go home you Page 133 →and I can go to Ocean Grove, Chautauqua or somewhere else if I am not called upon to make missionary speeches all the time.

Yes, I have a nice little desk, but it would cost more than it is worth to take it home. I should rather take a piece of Korean furniture home which would be a curio as well. I cannot tell but hope it may be many years before I am “a missionary no more.”

Never mind about the box of pills if you have not already sent them for the Dr. has been giving me Cascara Segrada⁵⁹ which acts much the same but is in liquid form. I hope you can go to Boston next summer. Mrs. Paine will enjoy having you very much I know, and we will enjoy knowing our mothers are together.

I wrote you did I not that we had sent to China for a [“Tiensin”⁶⁰ crossed out] Tsunhua rug for our room. I have never seen anything in America anything like them. About 14 by 16 ft in colors of blue & grey. The nap is about two inches long. The pattern is a Grecian border and centre on plain ground. We look for it soon. I have seen many of them, but this may be a little different. They make admirable winter carpets for they are so warm. We paid 23 yen, about $14 gold. We had the Chinese carpenter make a book cupboard to be put under our book case which is exactly the style of ours except not so high and without the fancy top piece. Now it is raised considerably and the lower part we use for the Korean books which are all paperbacks and do not make a neat room if in sight. We had the Chinaman put wooden rockers on a broken legged rattan chair which is now very pretty & comfortable. So little by little we are getting well furnished. Saturday we went on a picnic to such a pretty place a few miles away. The day was perfect and the company most enjoyable. Mrs. Allen⁶¹ and boys, (the Am. Sec.’s wife), Mrs. Waeber (the Russian Minister’s wife), Mr. & Mrs. Appenzeller, Mrs. Bunker, Miss Paine & myself and the Appenzeller children four in number. We had such a lot of good things to eat, and came home quite rested at four o’clock for a church Quarterly meeting. The new church foundation is finished. I expect the brick work will have to be postponed for want of funds and the cold weather so close upon us. But in the meantime we will gather force and money.

Miss Paine is in bed & I must follow. Your good cheerful letters are a great comfort to me. I see another of my letters in the Rep[ublican]. I should think the people would be getting tired of them, they come so often.

Love to one & all——

Good night—

Lulu.

Page 134 →Hope you are enjoying your morning coffee.

L.E.F

Tuesday A.M. The political sea is quite ruffled this morning. The Japanese fired on the palace and once more have taken the reins in their hands. Will tell you more again.

L.E.F.

My own Dear Mother:

I have so many things to tell you I scarcely know where to begin and my time is so limited that I must be brief. I closed my last letter by saying we were in trouble again. That morning we were awakened at five o’clock by hearing shooting in the direction of the palace. We got out of bed, listened, laughed a little and went back to sleep again. A few days ago the Korean soldiers & policemen got into a big fight. They banded together against each other tearing each other’s houses down, the policemen were so worsted that they were not to be seen for several days on the streets. We thought these preservers of the peace were having another meeting, but we learned at breakfast time that the trouble was of a more serious nature. I cannot tell the story straight for so many false rumors have been afloat. I will let the Repository which will accompany this letter tell it. Suffice it to say the queen was foully murdered and the King is today like a prisoner in his home—the Tai Won Kun, his father, is on the throne. I was told today that the “powers that be” refuse to recognize the Tai Won Kun and our English, French, Russian, German and American representatives force an entrance and have an audience with the king daily.⁶²

Last week was the time for the Decennial⁶³ and notwithstanding the troublous time was a very pleasant occasion. We were wise enough, however to give up the banquet, for this was thought to be no time for feasting. I will enclose a program. We hope to have the papers printed in book form, and I will of course send you a copy, if such should be the case.

The Presbyterians are gathered together for their annual session. I must try to go at least one half day. It is very inconvenient for I teach the same hours every day.

To cap the climax for these days of excitement and various happenings in our quiet community, Bishop Hendricks⁶⁴ of the M.E. Church South arrived. It fell to our lot, happily, to entertain them and we are enjoying their company Page 135 →so much. Have just finished writing invitations for a reception we expect to hold here for them Wednesday evening to which we have invited about 60 friends. Our missionary community is not so large as that, but as I said before the Decennial and Pres[byterian] Annual meeting has brought us many visitors.

The Bishop gave us a most excellent sermon on Sunday last.—It is so good to hear a real live sermon—our men of the two missions do well, but when they work hard through the week & preach once or twice to the Koreans on Sunday, it is not surprising that they often fail to enthuse us.

The Southern Methodists hope to open up work here. We are so glad for Calvinism has had the precedence for so long and Arminianism will be better balanced.⁶⁵ If the Southern Methodists are as nice as the Southern Presbyterian people they will be a great addition to the community. They planned to go into the country a few miles north where Mr. Yun⁶⁶ wanted them to open work. He is the one I have spoken of so often in my letters who has such a dear little Chinese wife.⁶⁷ He was educated in Vanderbilt University at Oxford, Georgia,⁶⁸ now occupies a high political position, is Vice Pres. of the Foreign Office but is not afraid to acknowledge Christ always among his heathen colleagues. So many have lost their heads during this trouble that it is thought best to give up the idea of going to see the lay of the land in the north. Mr. Yun was to accompany them and since he is one who favors progression he might lose his life. The second prince who is progressive is being hid at Dr. Underwood’s. The crowned prince has too little sense to be any more than the people in power want him to be. The kingdom is in a pitiable condition!

I see I have failed to mention Dr. Reid⁶⁹ who is with the Bishop altho’ I’ve referred to “them” through the letter. He is a very entertaining man. Has been a missionary in Shanghai for 16 years. I think the Bishop means to move him & family here to start the new mission. Because of the trouble he will probably buy & settle here for a time if he comes to Korea.

I got a long, long letter from Laura on the last mail. She told me all the Bellefontaine news. Says you look very natural, that father has aged the most. You and I have our slenderness on our side. When one is fleshy as father once was and then falls away the change is great. Your letter of the 28 of Aug. came by last mail a little belated. We look for another mail tomorrow or very soon. Enjoyed Georgia’s letters as you copied them. Was delighted with the scheme the Presbyterians used for making money, we may want to try it sometime if necessary. Our pockets are pretty well drained as it is, but a little from everyone makes quite a pile and no one feels it.

Page 136 →Suppose ere this you have had my letters written since I knew of Nettie’s death. I dare not dwell on it, for my loss would be greater than I could bear. I am overwhelmed at times when I think I can’ t go home and tell her all these things I find impossible to write of. She was always an interested listener, you know. Her last letter I’ve not had the heart to read again, it suggested not a thought of death. If I could only have been there I know she would have talked to me. But regrets are useless. She is safe and happy and to sorrow too much only unfits us for life’s duties. In time her reward will be ours too.

I had a letter from Grant from Paris. He said simply this “I have nothing to write except that I am this far on the way and will see you in due time.” He is such an enigma. I shall be rejoiced to see him but dare not expect him. Well, Good night.

Love to Father & Georgia. Kiss the children if you see them.

Your daughter—

Lulu E. Frey.

Dear Mother:

A nice big mail came for me today. Nine letters counting Georgia’s page. The one not least appreciated was Frank’s. He speaks very tenderly of Nettie. Refers to the breach between you simply by saying Aunt Anna wanted Martha and he said she “should never have her while he had a home in his own name” and was led to say what he thought. “The loss of a dear wife and the eagerness of some to break up my family all in one day caused me to say just what came in my mind.” This is all he says and he does not once mention your name but I cannot but think in your eagerness to see the children situated promisingly by, you lost sight of their father’s love for them. How you could have for a moment have entertained a thought of Martha going in Aunt Anna’s home. She would dress her well but that is the least important thing. If anything should happen to you, I beg of you don’t give Georgia to her; it makes me shudder to think of the possibility. I think I understand your motives, and Frank’s feeling, but for Nettie’s sake, let us mend the breach. Don’t let Frank know I’ve repeated this to you, someday perhaps I’ll enclose the letter.

I had a nice long letter from Mr. Albritton the first I’ve had for more than a year. One from Web Sterline and one from Lida Jacobs Brown. She is quite elated over her marriage, says I must pardon her for she was 47 before she Page 137 →married which accounts for it. She says her husband is good to her not because she is new for he was good to his first wife with whom he lived 30 years even up to her dying day.

Monday Morning

Georgia tells me that Grant is improving in the mountain air. I was curious to know whether it was the air of the Andes or the Himalayas or the Rockies but your letter did not mention him. Georgia said she had had a letter from him. However, I’m glad he is improving wherever he is.

Kimtchie making⁷⁰ is over and we have school again this morning and the bell is ringing now.

I think I shall send the children something for Christmas probably the Korean children’s head-gear. I must not let them forget me. No special news. Posters were out that the palace would be attacked today and a number of foreign men went over but no trouble has occurred.⁷¹ The king is frightfully nervous. He is afraid to eat for fear of being poisoned.

I’m so shocked to hear Grandma has a cancer. I thought you called it a fistula. I’m more shocked about Aunt Anna.⁷² Has it gone too far for an operation to be of no effect? Well if the money has made her happy, good: it takes more than money to make anyone happy. Enough for my needs and a little to give away is sufficient for me. You will get that much for yourself, will you not?

I’m sorry but I have lost Olie Henry’s letter & can’t remember her husband’s name. But some time I’ll write her. I’m so sorry she has lost her baby. She is too delicate herself, I wonder she lived through it. I do not need anything for winter. Don’t trouble about me. I hope you will send me your picture I want that most.

I can’t put in $200 at once, that is out of the question for the moment at least. Hope the way I’ve planned will meet your approbation.

About Mrs. Dickinson. Nettie used to laugh so at her because she disliked to have anyone know she was growing old and always had Lucile call her “Ma.” The children will know the difference even to Helen⁷³ I think.

I wish I could step in and see you for a little while. We would have a good talk. Poor Frank says he has no one to tell his aches & discouragements to now Nettie is gone. Things will all be right “some sweet day.”⁷⁴

Well school duties call me again so I must close;

Very lovingly

Lulu E. Frey.

My Dear Father:

I have not time since it is late to write you a long letter but will hastily write a few lines to let you know I remember that this is your birthday. The days & years are going so fast, you have had three birthdays since I left home.

I’ll write you sometime of the troubles we are having here. At present we think it wise not to put much in black & white. Ever since the murder of the queen the 8th of Oct. things have been growing worse. We begin to liken it to the reign of terror. We think we are safe, yet we feel we know not what a day may bring forth. The Japanese are in league with the officials who have deposed the King and as far as we know murdered the queen. We look for nothing else but the coming of the Russian troops. Before this we dreaded the thought of their coming but nothing can be worse than this. Yet we fear that Russia’s rule here may interfere with our work, as in all probability she will want the Greek church here. But that is ahead. We remember that God reigns and whatever occurs he can use to carry out his great purpose. I have seen the troubles war brings & the desolation pestilence leaves behind it, but I’ve never seen anything like the terror of these days. “It is always darkest just before dawn.” I think dawn cannot be far off.

Here I’ve told you much more than I intended. For myself I do not fear but it is terrible to see the persecutions & sufferings of innocent ones & not be able to help in the least.

Well, I trust I’ve said nothing to worry you. If you could be here & see how comfortable Miss Paine & I are in our private quarters writing & reading, you would see there was no cause for anxiety on my account.

I’m anxiously looking for a letter from you. Do you realize that it has been some time since you have written me a word? The last mail is not in. It is two weeks since it is scheduled to reach Yokohama. The Belgie ran ashore near Yokohama her last trip and if no steamer was put on in her place we shall probably have to wait until the next steamer comes, but we will be repaid by a double mail.

Well Goodnight—

Love to mother, Georgia, and a birthday kiss for yourself—

Lulu E. Frey.

My Dear Mother:

I must tell you what a disappointment met me today. Your last letter was dated Oct. 9 telling of Grandma’s severe illness, since then I’ve received no word from you. A mail arrived today which left San Francisco the twelfth of Nov. but it brought me no home letter. I cannot think but the letters and papers between the dates must be somewhere on the way. The Belgie went ashore in Yokohama on her last trip and if no ship was put on in her place, the mail was probably sent to Tacoma or Vancouver and delayed and your letter probably missed the next mail the 1st of Nov. Don’t trouble by the time this reaches you all will be right.

I wrote Father a letter last week, not for publication however. The country is still in a troubled state we do not know what to expect. At present those at the head of the government are of evil intent. The streets look funny today. Since the death of the queen has been proclaimed every man is out in sack cloth clothes (white) and white hats: They must weep for a number of days and wear their mourning clothes for a year.

Miss Paine & I are going out for dinner tonight. We are going to take a few of the older girls out to a friend’s near where we go and let them have an outing also. I think Maggie has given up hearing from you & Georgia. She does not ask me lately and I do not tell her the promises for fear you cannot fulfill them. Our girls think so much of letters from America and I feel ashamed that Georgia did not write her a little note acknowledging the little things she received from her.

Christmas is almost here, sorry I have nothing to send you, father and Georgie. The money is all I can send you this year. Hope you have received it by this time. I am looking for your picture and hope I shall not look in vain. I should want nothing better.

Mary has not written me since I asked her for the money.⁷⁵ I’m sorry if I’ve lost a correspondent by asking. I’d like to peep in on her in her domestic felicity.

Our California order came a few days ago. We had such a gay time opening the boxes. We ordered quite a lot of groceries & canned goods, cotton cloth & school supplies beside many little personal things. Miss Paine and I treated ourselves to some nice French candies and I tell you we are enjoying them. We Page 140 →are trying to reserve a few for Christmas eating. The first of Jan. I will send you some more money and I want you to have Jessie or Zoe Purkey make me a pretty black lawn dress and send it to Smith.⁷⁶ He is very good about forwarding in someone else’s order if we do not happen to have any by that time. We received in our boxes several small packages for other parties. I hope it will not be too much trouble for you. It is difficult to get a tailor here.

[Letter ends abruptly here with no further pages containing sign-off.]

My Dear Mother:

Two letters from you came Saturday. This is Monday. It has been twelve days since I’ve written you so I fear you have had a wait as I have. I began to feel I’d never hear from you again. The steamers are very irregular. When it came it was good—ten letters and quite a few papers were my share.

It is almost Christmas and we are very busy for we want the girls to have a good time and to give a service in each of the chapels.

Poor dear grandma—she would not say goodbye to me when I left. Did she ever speak of me during her sickness? Heaven is being peopled by our friends rapidly now. I wonder if any will be left if I am spared to go home again.

Politically all seems quiet. We hear that the men some sixty or more, who have been imprisoned are being brutally treated. The walls of the prison are white washed daily to cover the blood which spurts on them during the beatings. Poor Korea! When will these horrible days be over?

I have not heard from Grant since the letter he wrote me from Switzerland. He gives me no addresses so I do not know where to write. When you speak of hearing from him please always state from where the letter was sent and the date of it. A thing Georgia invariably forgets.

I’m sorry you have so many financial worries. Do not let money matters wear your life away. You will never be in want at any rate. I wish I might help you more but cannot do much now & am afraid next year shall be able to do less, since we have had a cut in salary. I did not come out for money so it matters little.

You speak of the loan. You have no doubt before this received the money I sent—mine to put in the loan for me. I hope you & Georgia will use your share as you think best. I shall put in a $2.00 bill gold for you to buy your birthday present with. It will reach you in time I think.

Page 141 →I’m too busy and hurried to write a long letter this morning. After Christmas I’ll write you a better letter. Just received a letter from Mrs. Swallen. She is looking forward to a visit from me next summer. I hope to go & if I can take the trip to Vladivostok Russia for a “kooguen.”⁷⁷

We are looking for Dr. Carleton⁷⁸ to reenforce us. She is to be transferred from Foochow,⁷⁹ China. She came out her second time with me on the “China,” so I know her.

I hope to get a lot of letters written after Christmas. I wanted to send Web something, and I have had a letter in mind & a pretty handkerchief in an envelope ready to send Aunt Anna for a long time. Poor woman, how my heart aches for her. I too hope the legal proceedings will be peaceful. I shall be anxious to hear the end of it.

Emma Dawn sent me a pretty linen handkerchief. I have not heard from her for a year and a half before.

Do be careful of Georgia. I’ll write more at length on the thoughts in your letter next time.

Hope you are well & happy. Wish I could see the children.

Lovingly—

Lulu E. Frey.

I receive money from friends for the church. I buy it and put it in the fund—this is how I come to have this bill.

My Dear Mother:

Two letters received from you today, one dated Nov. 25 a little over a month, not quite so quick a trip as mine made to you. You say it was dutch to you about the “faithful little ruffian.” You wrote me one letter and in the following letter said a little boy you had met under the bridge promised to mail it for you at the train and you entrusted it to him. I say he was faithful for I received it all O.K.

I’m starting out to write you a long letter, my late ones must be unsatisfactory because so hastily written. The last one I enclosed a $2.00 greenback for your birthday present. A month from today, it will be. I hope by this time your troubles will be over as far as the lawsuit is concerned. I do trust it will not be a long bitter struggle and that all parties will be satisfied. When all is over please explain clearly to me.

Page 142 →Who do you think of selling the ground west of the house to? I am so grieved that you and father should have financial anxieties all the time, but I’m very thankful that I am not a burden on you at least. I can help you by not adding to that you already have. I do enjoy my work and the independence which it gives me. I long to see you all and very often say to Miss Paine “O, if I could only see my mother!” Sorry you are not feeling well—Do take good care of yourself for Georgia’s sake.

We will send for some California things on the next mail probably, send the drawers you speak of immediately and they will be in time. If the package is not big it is often put in with any one’s goods. We foreigners are like one big family out here. My skirt measure is 44 in. Spring will be time enough for that when I send for a hat to San Francisco. I won’t want gloves again until next fall. The Boston boxes came and were very satisfactory—both the personal and the school articles.

We gave the girls a merry Xmas. The big girls each got a towel, 2 handkerchiefs, a Korean book, a plated silver spoon, a banner with picture cards on it and candies, nuts & fruit. The little ones got dolls and scrapbooks, candies etc. We gave the women of our chapel a magic lantern exhibition in the church below Christmas morning. Last night our men servants & each five friends and our personal teachers came and we gave them the views. Scriptural Views of the Pilgrim’s Progress, views of American & European scenery & some comic ones. They were most delighted. Our boy said he had to cry when he saw Jesus nailed upon the cross.

That is very surprising about Grant. What a strange boy he is. One can never put their thumb on him. I hope you may have heard definitely about him and let me know. I did not expect to see him.

Yes, about the loan—You had better not try to carry that one for me. If I keep up five that will be a fund for me when I come home to see you again. I do not like to think I am robbing you.

You ask if we are pleased with the carpet. Yes indeed—we are going to send for two like it for the Seoul Reading rooms & one for a Presbyterian lady. She says to duplicate it, she wants it exactly like it. They come in different colors black & brown, blue & brown, red & brown. I’d like to take one home for you but fear I could not afford the expense. Beside it is very heavy and would be difficult to have cleaned where labor is so dear as at home.

This morning a little girl was born to Mr. & Mrs. Busteed⁸⁰ of our mission. Another girl! Out of twelve children in our mission we have but one boy. The Presbyterians are as dearth of girls. Is it not strange?

Page 143 →I did not tell you of my Christmas presents did I? Last summer I complained that no one ever gave me vases for Xmas so I got four. Miss Rothweiler gave me a pretty little lacquer picture, Miss Paine a beautiful gold thimble she ordered her mother to buy, and then I got many little gifts from the girls and a silk handkerchief from Mrs. Bunker. We had our usual gay time at breakfast. Another year we may not all be together. I count the things you sent out in the box my Christmas from you—it was more than you should have given me.

Well, Josephine is locking up tomorrow is Sunday and it is time I was abed. Goodnight—Hope you are enjoying your morning cup.

Lovingly,

Lulu.

I’m looking for father’s letter.

December 30

All well and happy but pretty cold. Thermometer down to 10º this morning.

Lovingly,

Lulu