The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-06-23
A Beers Home.

A German writer, NJ. Alsberg. says
that, if an ancient Netherlander of one
or two centuries ago could rise from his
grave and visit one of the lonely farms
of the Transvaal or Orange Free State,
he would have a wonderfully home-like
feeling at sight of the picture presented,
and, if he did not notice the difference
in vegetation and climate. he would i'm
agine himself taken back to the Holland
OF his day. 1t almost seems as if the
wheel of history had here stayed its
course, for. while among the civilized
nations of Europe new times have
brought new customs, in this remote
corner of the world a people exists
| which has retained unchanged the Gus
toms of its Dutch forefathers of two
hundred years before. There is one
difference between the Beers and their
ancestors, however, which Alsberg does
not mention; the Hollander being the
| incarnation Of neatness, while the South
African Du:chman is said to be the re-
verse. Before the house, writes Ais
berg, his silver-mounted pipe in mouth,
| stands the head of the family, the
"baas" (boss), inspecting his herds,
| or busted with some carpentry, or
|
voorhuiz," or front room, serves as
reception. eating and dwelling room.
| The chief ornament of the apart
ment is the great Bible, with
heavy metallic clasps, lying on
the rude table. Here sits the
comfortable housewife, with her feet
on the ''stoofje," a hollow footstool
| flied with glowing Goals. Round about
in the scantily furnished room are
| grouped The numerous children, from
the grown-up son, who is his father S
chief help in his farmwork, to the
youngest offspring, all generally show
ing their race in their flaxen hair and
blue eyes. To be sure, the visitor does
not Immediately have the chance to
make these observations, for he must
first undergo, before he can enjoy the
hospitality of the Boer, little cross
questioning, such as What is your
name?' Where are you fromP'
"What is your businessP' care you
marriedP" and the ike, for the Boer' S
welcome to guests is abused by strag-
glers now and then. After these have
been answered to the satisfaction of the
Boer, the visitor is invited to enter, and
then comes a handshaking with the en-
tire family for which gloves or mittens
must be removed, it being a breach OF
etiquette to offer covered hand. The
cup of coffee offered by the .'oude
yrouw" or housewife, is then accepted
with thanks, it having the same signifi-
canoe in the Beers household as the
pipe of peace among the Indians. After
this the visitor is regarded as belonging
to the family.
The Beers are a remarkably robust
race of men. They are frequently SIX
feet high or more, and are broad-shoul-
dered and muscular. 1t is probably
from their ancestors that they inherit Z
certain stiff formality. and, at the same
time, ph!egmatic disposition. The
men are characterized by a sef-posses
sion which elsewhere is generally only
attained by careful training and inter
course with the world. Feminine
graces are rare among the women an{
: girls, but they are loving wives and
mothers. devoted in their care of tn,
sick, and there has often been mani
tested heroic side to their character
During the Kaffir wars it has frequent
y been the case that, while the mer
we're away. farmhouse has been sur
( prised by the natives and defended b,
the women and half-grown boys TO
nours at a time, with splendid valor.