April 9, 1933
Canton

Another week has ended and another Sunday of rest. The time seems to fly over here; I turn around three or four times and another week has gone by. It is all so different and so much to see that I never have enough free time.

I have been house hunting all morning but as of yet haven’t found anything suitable that hasn’t been rented. I will have to find something soon if Jeannette is coming on the April 12th boat. As soon as I hear definitely I will make things fly.

We are being paid on the 15th and 30th of each month and after we have done the work, not in advance. Poor old Terrill is in an awful stew. He sent for his bride-to-be banking on being paid in advance. Now that we are not paid in advance he will have about $75 in the bank when she arrives. He couldn’t wait tho; you know how a poor dub is when he is in love. I am glad I wasn’t as bad as that. (wink)

It is still soggy and hot. The walls are wet and the floors ooze water until they are pools. And we still have mosquitoes in clouds – have them the year around. With it all it isn’t a bad place, --especially as long as the pay check rolls in at regular intervals. I have all my bills now and it cost me $45 gold for everything last month. I can stand a lot of that.

I am continuing this [letter] this evening. We had tea with a young American, Biggs, -then he came over for dinner with us and now the bunch has gone to a show. I begged off so I could finish this letter to you all. I expect to start flying instruction this week. I will be using a brand new Whirlwind motored Travelair and sitting on an army type parachute. I, personally, will give the plane a careful check every day before I go up. It seems that I will build up some time – which heaven knows I need. I believe I will have five students for the time being. I still continue with my lectures. Believe me I will be kept out of mischief.

I am down to about 140 pounds now. There is so darn much that I dare not chance eating because I do not know how well it is prepared. A person must be extremely careful over here to avoid diseases. Jeannette will surely look good to me in more ways than one. It will keep her plenty busy supervising the buying and seeing that the foods are good and safely prepared. Besides that she must see that the servants do their work properly and that they don’t get too much cut on everything they buy for us. When she arrives I will turn that responsibility over to her with a sigh of relief and eat everything put in front of me. Then watch me gain weight.

No mail boat this weekend and none until the 15th. You can’t know how eagerly I look forward to your letters and watch the papers for the next boat from the U.S.

If it weren’t for these damnable mosquitoes it wouldn’t be so bad. They eat and eat and eat. You should see my ankles and right now they are fighting for space in clouds. They drive me nuts.

I am looking for a house out here in Tungshan. I wouldn’t live in Shameen if the gave me the place. Life down there is just one round of parties, clubs, etc. which not only eat up the money but have a fellow too tired for work. Not for me—I want my rest. Out here we can go down to Shameen whenever we like but can stay away very nicely too. When I go down to Hong Kong I will send you a bunch of pictures. It is still muggy and dark, with rain at odd intervals.

I haven’t been in Hong Kong since the eventful day I arrived there last month. It costs too much money just for a pleasure jaunt. I have other uses for that money besides frittering it away down there.

I have become more accustomed to the field and do not waste so much motion running wildly about – China wasn’t built in a day and wont be rebuilt in another day. It is all a very interesting and a wonderful teacher of patience. Believe me when I return nothing will the world will be able to phase me. I am still waiting for the details of the earthquake. Los Angeles will be rebuilt before I hear about it. Well, such is life in the Orient.

I keep thinking of you all and trying to picture you about your home. It is a poor excuse for the original but it will have to do for a few more months. I don’t know what will happen when my contract expires, but I can’t see much chance of much of a raise if any. Please keep me informed of conditions at home so I can base my decision at that time on possibilities there. Gosh I am tired of living on this 10 by 12 room – I wish I had my room over here.

I will sign off with all my wishes for your happiness and success.

Love,
Stu.