May 14, 1933.
Canton

Last weekend was so filled with Jeannette's arrival and all the difficulties of getting her baggage and numerous traps up here and after that the business trying to establish a home, that I didn't get my usual letter written. I appologize for the lateness of this letter, but really this is the first moment I have had legnthy enough to write a short note.

I took the afternoon train to Hong Kong last Friday. Jeannettes boat didn't arrive until Saturday the 6th but I could not get any information concerning the hour at which it would dock so I went down Friday. I wanted to be on the dock when the General Lee arrived. Well tomake a long story short the darn boat finally docked eight thirty Saturday night.

I can't tell you how good the little Lady looked to me after these three months. It was quite a red letter moment when I finally had her with me again. You have no idea how lonely it has been for me over here in this very strange land without anyone at all. Well that is all over now and I can find something else to concern me. There are plenty at that.

I had a lovely room at the Penninsula, which is the nicest hotel in Hong Kong. I wanted Jeannette to be eased into China as nicely as possible. I knew that her first impressions were very important and must be as pleasant as I could possibly make them. A day in Hong Kong at the nicest hotel and a leisurely tour would not only be delightful for her, but would also give me a chance to prepare her for Canton which is to say the least is a far cry from Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a bit of England set down here in the Orient. It is beatuful, clean, and lovely, just like cities in the states. Canton is China.

My plans were complete and well laid when I met Jeannette at the boat. However, Terrill found himself in a jam when he arrived in Hong Kong Friday. It seems that Brittish law calls for a publishing of the marriage bans six weeks before the message takes place. His only chance was to be married in Canton. As I said before the boat didn't dock until eight thirty in the evening. The only transportation to Canton at that late hour was the river boat which leaves Hong Kong at ten P.M. and arrives in Canton at noon.

He couldn't arrive in Canton until Monday anyway so I suggested that he stay at the Penninsula Sunday night and ease Gwen into China, Lord knows a woman needs every consideration when she first arrives over here. However, the old boy was all excitied and wanted to go to Canton that night. I was supposed to be best man and Jeannette was to be matron of honor at their wedding. I told him I wouldn't drag Jeannette up to Canton the minute she arrived and especially as we didn't have reservations on the boat and would, in all probability, have to sit up in deck chairs all night.

Gwen wanted to stay in Hong Kong but Terrill was insistent so that was that. After the girls arrived and our first greeting was ended it was nine o'clock, one hour until the boat sailed. My Lord, the confusion of getting the coolies to get the baggage off the boat and carry it across the ferry and up to the river boat. Poor Gwen looked as though she would cry at any moment. By the wildest dashing and cussing of coolies they boarded the river boat just as it sailed. What a mess. And as I expected they sat up in the deck chairs all night. What an introduction for the bride.

Jeannette and I went back to the hotel and relaxed comfortably. We had a million things to say and as a result didn't get to sleep until 4 A.M.

The next day we took our leisure and thoroughly enjoyed Hong Kong. Had tiffin with the Barringers, went up the Peak and so forth. We took the afternoon train for Canton, and what a time we had getting all Jeannette's baggage through customs. We arrived in Canton seven thirty P.M. and were met by the new bride and groom and Capt. Malley and Mrs. Malley. They were certainly a help in transforming our stuff to our home.

Speaking of our home, I wrote you that I had engaged a very nice little place and had all the arrangements made for Jeannette's arrival. Two days before she arrived the owner of the place told me it would be impossible for me to move for two weeks. I grabbed up another place I had been for but had given up because it was too large. It is about the size of the White House and in addition has servants quarters in the rear. Poor Jeannette-- I had a few things in the place but a whole furniture store could move in and it would still be bare. She took it like a million and has been struggling mightily ever since to make it homelike on the small amount of money we feel that we can spend. Darned if it isn't always money.

This money situation is not so good. I am now receiving about two hundred and fifty Hong Kong less per month than I was when I sent for Jeannette-- and it seems that the exchange will be even worse soon. The Chinese refuse to do anything about it. The contract reads Gold and they mean to stick to it. I don't know how it will work out. I will see if we can live on the reduced amount, if we can't I will see just how badly they want me to stay. I am having a wonderful experience out here, but we can't live on experience alone. Last night I attended a small dinner given by Marshal Chan Sai Tong who is the power in this neck of the woods. You have to read about him no doubt. At this dinner were all the powers that be in this section, Believe me, I did enjoy and will have quite a story to tell you about it all some day when I come home.

I am still very busy at the field with flying and lectures. In a few weeks Aerial Gunnery commences and then I will be on the run. I still enjoy my work. If the money situation would only improve. It is always money isn't it.

I received your good letters [the] day before yesterday and believe me I am glad to hear that things are not quite bad as I thought. If you can have chicken and strawberry short cake you are doing far better than we can.

Well all you dear ones, I am actually going to end this tome. We are both well and happy out here and things are still all O.K. All the best in the world to all of you from both the Bairds in China.

Love,

Stu.