An Epoch In History
P. H. (Peter Harden) Eley
10 chapters
46 minute read
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10 chapters
AN EPOCH IN HISTORY
AN EPOCH IN HISTORY
P. H. ELEY TO MY MOTHER, whose tender love and devotion for me are ever unchanged, I dedicate this book. Copyright, 1904, by P. H. ELEY....
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
It was the good fortune of the author to take part in a movement without precedent in the history of the world, and the incidents concurrent with, together with those subsequent to that movement, have furnished the material for this book. It has been the object of the writer to weave into the story of his actual experiences an account of those things which are as yet an unexplored field in the realm of letters. The work is submitted to the reader in the hope that it will prove to be pregnant wit
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AN EPOCH IN HISTORY.
AN EPOCH IN HISTORY.
The Bishop Museum of Polynesian Ethnology contains the finest collection in existence of things illustrating the life and customs of Polynesia. Among other things, the visitor is shown the personal god of war of that sovereign whose grand-child was the last to hold the sceptre of the Kanakas. There are royal documents to prove that more than one thousand men have been beheaded before this grim-faced old idol. Here, too, is the famous robe of birds’ feathers, made to please the fancy of this same
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MANILA.
MANILA.
It is needless to say that positions in Manila and Iloilo were now at a premium. Was it possible that teachers were to be sent to places where even the necessaries of life could not be obtained! Was it possible that many would be sent to places so remote that for six months no fresh supplies could be gotten! A mass meeting was held at once, and a committee was appointed to send a cablegram to the Associated Press petitioning aid from the American people at large. Realizing what consternation wou
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A DRAMA IN ACTUAL LIFE.
A DRAMA IN ACTUAL LIFE.
CHAPTER IV. There is a remarkable sameness about the towns in the Philippines. They all have a large open square about the middle of the town, around three sides of which are Chinese stores, unless one side lies open to the sea, and on the fourth is the great stone ecclesia . The streets run at right angles to one another and divide up the town into creditable squares. Everybody in the Philippines lives up-stairs, for the ground is so soaked with water during the rainy season that it is a menace
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WHAT THE TEACHERS DID.
WHAT THE TEACHERS DID.
The work of the teachers was, in short; to “make the English language the basis of instruction in the public schools.” On our arrival at Bacalod two schools were found in progress, for some soldiers had been detailed for the work here previous to our coming. One of these was for boys and the other, for girls. Thus the work here had been in a measure simplified, but complications that had arisen at Talisay, one of the largest and richest towns on the island, demanded a change of teachers and the
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A “BAILE.”
A “BAILE.”
The first thing that impressed me as the dancers passed up and down the room was the flash of diamonds. Nearly every woman in the room had on a brooch that flashed the colors of the rainbow at every turn. Almost all of them wore one or more rings that showed up brilliantly under the chandelier. Many of the men too, especially the young men, wore gems that appeared to be exquisite. A closer inspection showed that some of the gems had flaws and others were of a poor color, but no one would have de
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A SKETCH OF LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
A SKETCH OF LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
One arises in the morning about the time the sun’s first rays silver the top leaves of the cocoanut trees and then stirs around until nine or ten o’clock, when it is found expedient to avoid a further exposure to the sun. From then until about five o’clock in the afternoon it is best to take things as they come, even though one of those things be a Filipino dinner. But then you may have your vehiclo attached to a young bull with a ring in his nose and go for a drive. If it is the dry season you
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THE FILIPINO AT HOME.
THE FILIPINO AT HOME.
CHAPTER VIII. Not far from our town was a leper colony and the first Saturday that could be spared was set aside for a trip to the place. It happened that none of the other Americans were at leisure on this particular morning, but, rather then delay the trip or miss it altogether, the writer, armed with a revolver, started out alone. The road had been described so accurately by one who was supposed to know it that it was deemed well-nigh impossible to miss the way. The main highway was followed
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VISIT TO A LEPER COLONY.
VISIT TO A LEPER COLONY.
The old man referred to above, having put on a pair of snow-white pantaloons, appeared now at the doorway of his hut, followed a few moments later by his wife who had evidently clothed herself in the best raiment she had. At a call from the old man, all the men, women, and children in the settlement came out of their huts and stood in a line before us. The old man was spokesman and in his native visayan tongue made a heart-rending appeal for aid which we were powerless to give. Attention was cal
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