The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-06-24
A SCHOOLMASTER IN THE TRANS.
q .FI VAAL.

uOTSeDack through u part VI Une country
which was unknown to me. / had ar
rived rather late at the house of we'll
TODD Africander farmer, who gave me a
hearty welcome, told me to tie up my
horse under the trees of the garden, and
ordered his boys to give him as much
forage as he wanted. II am sorry |
can't put him in the stable" he said,
but you're the second arrival this even
ing. There's a little French fellow in
horses to his ''spider," and precious fine
horses, too, and they have filled the
stable"
After seeing my horse blanketed and
fed, joined the party in the dining
room. 1t was a cheerful-looking room,
the faces in it were pleasant, and there
was a good supper of meat and hot
scenes on the table, whilst a tea tray
with all its paraphernalia lay before the
kindly hostess. When l said that the
faces were pleasant, | ought to have eX-
cepted one of them, that of the French
man. He was a short thick-set man,
with short cropped black hair, very
black eyebrows, bead-like black eyes,
and black mustache. His Jaw was
heavy and square, and the expression
communicated to his face by this con-
formation somewhat contrasted with the
vivacity of his manner. My hosts wife
and three daughters, ranging from
about ten to sixteen, completed our
party.
1t is very refreshing to come across an
English Africander in ones journeyings
Not only the language, but all the sur
roundings in the house remind one of
home, and there is an air of refinement
amongst them unknown to the Beers.
On this occasion, however, the con-
versation was conducted in Boer patois,
for the Frenchman could speak no En-
glish and the Africander no French. As
| listened to the little man l wondered
where he had learned his patois. He
spoke it fluently, but with a most curious
accent, and used very coarse express
sions, more so than an ordinary Boer
would generally indulge in.
He told us that he had lost his way,
that he was an hotel keeper in Port
Elizabeth, and that he was driving
through the Transvaal in order to see
whether it would be likely to be good
field for speculation. His account of
whence he had come, and whittier he
was going, when he lost his way, struck
me as curious, and thought he shuffied
when l remarked upon its singularity.
He told us that he had been one of the
defenders of Paris during the Franco
German war, and said that he had been
six years in Port Elizabeth. l remarked
that it was curious that he had never
learnt English, but he assured me that
it did not come in his way to hear it
much spoken, as he traded mostly with
the Beers.
We then adjourned to the sitting room,
in which there was a piano. 1 asked
whether the eldest girl could play, and
after little hesitation she opened the
instrument and performed simple piece
of music with considerable taste, after
which she and her sister played duet.
The piano was not at all bad.
Mine host now asked me if | could
play, upon which l sat down and played
the Marseillaise. l thought it would be a
treat to the Frenchman. / took side
long glance at him before 1 finished; he
was listening as phlegmatically as if ii
had been an ordinary song. Then !
doubted his veracity, for what French
man who had fought on the ramparts OF
Paris but would have felt his heart swell
at hearing the fine old tune in far and
foreign land.
''You know that well, said l, turning
to him as | ended.
He replied in the affirmative, but as il
puzzled by my remark.
After time the conversation tagged
and soon there came short silence, then
my host and hostess began talking tc
each other in English.
French. He started slightly, and looked
at me without speaking, I.. .....
lis that French that you are talking?'
asked the youngest girl, bright-eyed
Misunderstanding child.
"Yes.''
''Why don't you speak French to the
gentleman?'' she asked, turning to the
Frenchman. 1--WE all want so much tt
hear how it Sounds"
Agleam of intelligence passed over the
mans face. f-..'
"Ihave made VOW not to speak {
word of French for six months, so as t.
perfect myself in Dutch" he explained
But / saw clearly that he did not un
derstand what l had said tohim. Hi
host and hostess pressed him in vain t,
speak his own language, if only TO SAL
one word, but he persistently refused
and got quite excited in the maintenance,
Of his absurd story Of the vow he ha,
taken, Shortly after he retired to hi
bedroom, and was so confused that h,
forgot to wish any Of us goodnight.
"That is q queer fellow said tn
farmer, when we heard him close tn
door of his room. ~ wonder what an,
who he is--his story is an odd one.'
''He is not a Frenchman, whateve
else he is,' / remarked; II know that 70
certain;'' and explained the reasons
had for making the assertion.
II can tell you another thing" said tn
farmer; 'ehe has not come from where h
says he has. I spotted a great man
mistakes he made. It's not an cas-
matter to take in so old q bird as am
Why, man! know every inch of ever
road in the country for miles and miles