Seven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class Book — John Shaqi
Seven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class BookLedyard, Mary Forman
General
Seven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class Book
Ledyard, Mary Forman
Chinese in literature
Comfort to my heart creeps in, and I have speech with her of the Story
Teller of the Streets. How, seventeen years past by, He was telling
tales from box as now happen, and to Chinese all about standing, He say,
"Do good deeds! Be of unselfishness! Have of others care!" One Chinese
laugh and make large fun of Story Teller and say, "Why, O Wise Man, dost
thou not perform goodnesses, thyself? Just now I pass over the Bridge of
the Ten Thousand Ages and beside the stones of bridge I view babe of new
birth. Go, thou, and take of it all care." To save his face the Story
Teller went upon the bridge and took the babe unto his arms and house;
but having children of much number, that night when all was dark that
none could see, he went again upon his way and with him went the babe. I
could no more speak.
Miss Sterling press my unworthy hand and say, "I know the rest, Bing
Ding. He took you to an orphanage where we found you and brought you
here that you might be educated. Have no fear; I will take care of you."
I cry out of joy now, so happy to be of safety in Miss Sterling's heart.
Our I last game is played. Next week we graduate. The separation as of
one family is upon us. We have been most happy in our Adorable College
and are full of sadness that Each, alone her way must go. Some Chinese
girls to be married, other Chinese girls, teachers to become. I, with
Mother Heart to America, am going.
Times of much number have I been to the study of our Honored President
to make arrangements of our Class book. With Miss Powers' assistance I
have honor to select of the papers those that of our Adorable College
make pictures of clearness. That when Each, goes by self, one reading in
Class book will bring forth memories and together we will all be
sitting, playing our game and drinking the tea of our Honored President.
When so sitting, will please Each, give thought of kindliness to most
humble Biographer, is the wish of your most unworthy.
Bing Ding.
Woman's Anglo-Chinese College,
Neuchang, China, June 15th.
Correspondent
Cherished and Honorable Mother, Moy Sen. Most respectful salutations.
Bing Ang. Bing Ang.
Your lazy and careless child has much that she wishes to say to you,
while her heart bleeds because she is separate by so many miles from the
most to be revered Mother.
Though so great distance divide us, yet my heart is as near to you as
ever; rivers and mountains will hinder us from seeing one another, but
they can never give obstruction to our mutual love and help.
By day and by night I pray for your safety and I offer to heaven much
incense, and also foods, and my hope is that no harm may come near to
your house.
Before the rise of the sun each day I make my worship as you have taught
me, though many of the girls in this College do not so, and sometimes I
have very great fear that the Guis (devils) will all swallow up on this
account.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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