| Show domestic in bethlehem in I 1 went to bethlehem several times returning usually toward dusk I 1 constantly met the bethlehem men as they are called mechanics masons carpenters laborers returning on foot from their long and hard days work in jerusalem the hours of labor in the east aro from sunrise to sunset and cheso men would leave bethlehem early in the morning and after walking the six miles to their daily task work all day aad walk back at dusk to their late and scanty supper the younger men looked worn out the older men seemed to have lost all strength and their eyes frequently looked dull and almost glazed I 1 was invited to visit a family in bethlehem their home was on the second floor of a building it consisted of a single room about 15 feet square with a concrete floor and not a single article of furniture save a tiny charcoal stove it was clean there were plenty of windows and the window sills were low and broad and were used instead 0 chairs there were little cupboards built in the walls which held the food and the few dishes at one side of the room was a larger recess perhaps 3 feet deep 8 feet high and 6 feet long here were piled blankets rugs and quilts neatly folded at night the rugs spread on the floor and the family slept on them using the blankets and quilts for covering on great occasions a little circular table about 3 feet across and 1 foot high was used as a dining table B S mcclare in mcclunes mcclures McC lures |
