But while Dr, Lowrie was grow ing ready to win distinction, the Wight house was forming the setting for equally momentous happenings. Dr. and Mrs. J. M. W. Farnham arrived to take up their abode in the old house, For weeks rumours had been reaching the Mission that the rebels were coming. Within sight of the house, burning homes by day and by night testified to the truth of the fact, and Mrs. Farnham, with Mrs. Mills, retired to the safety of Shanghai, the" men remaining to protect the Mission property. Still no rebels came, and once more the women returned, 'The forenoon of August 1 discovered Imperial soldiers lelsurety passing the Mission gates, but the Trissionaries, watching' their careless passing, decided that it. was a troop Being relieved. 'Only afterwards' dia they. learn that this was the army in retreat, Mrs. Farnham, aware that for [Chinese girls, the educational prob-Tom was pressing and. unsolved, turned a part of Wight House Into airs" school. ta It, the modern Mary Farnham School for Girls had fis beginnings, and s0, some say" Wight Those. La likewise" a contender' for honours as possibly the frst foreman ghls's school here. She had returned {that "August day to put the Rouse in order, Soldiers had passed, but they meant nothing in the. serenity that Felgned within where the family was siting down to tifin.
"Rebels Have Come"
"The rebels have come. They are at the gale". Intanily the alarm rang through Wight House, the Farnham family," used to. tales "of horror, rushed to the Mission gate, Too late They were confronted by the very army they feared. Its leader, youn food-looking, well-dressed, "con fronted ther. He was reputed to believe in God, and. to forbid. the desecration of churches and the tor=
{ure of those who believed as he did.
Whither sway?" he challenged.
"We worship God," answered the That pleased the man. He urged them. to turn back and "continue living as they were, Promising them safely, he {ook immediate action, Teaping from his horse to post a proclamation promising death to. whoever: molested the church, the mis= Sion, or a inmates. But they irnplored safe-conduct to the Settle ment, pleading that they desired to foin their fellow-countrymen. despite the. honour. accorded. them. 9y the rebel "onder, His permission war Catinon Yoomed. The British were firing, and Dr. Farnham flung wide the gates as a shell passed over the heads of his charges, smashing. Into one of their houses. "The stop=Aring Command was given by the Britah mice: to "permit the" missionaries! escape. "They. believing that their homes' and ail they" possessed were forfeit, fled to safely. All day Tong smoke rose from the South Gate see for, and only weeks Tater, when the Gand) returned, did. they ud. that even the remnants of their timm were fil as they "were lett, undisturbed in: Wiant House Several persons have called Wicht House "home" before. Miss Copal came and lived there for more than 30 years. Her hospitality was noted. Otien she housed visitors for many months in the house that has ap-Darenily borne a charmed existence A young American, teaching her way around the world, found the end her journey at South Gate, for while Miss 'Cogdat's guest, she contracted smallpox: No" Importuningr could persuade her that vaccination was necessary in China, and one' day, while. the house blooded in' thick fMienee. "the young American wae tarried out to. the hospital. She
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.