The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-08-24
BOER COURTsHIP.
A Realistic Picture Of the Dutch Cupid Of
South Africa.

1t appears, says Gallignani. from the
new African novel entitled 1.-The Story
of an African Farm" that an "upsit-
BOer wedding that is to say. the be-
trOthed, or about to be betrothcd pair,
are expected to sit up together for a
whole night, while the rest ofthe house
hold are quietly reposing. Tant' San
MES Kaflir maid looks out one evening
and sees 4 horseman approaching.
The cOlored woman, having duly in
spected him, dashed into the dwelling
''Here is another one" she cried. 81
widower; ! sec by his hat Good
Lord" said Tant' Sannie, sits the sew
enth I've had this month; but the men
know where sheep and good looks and
money in the bank are to be found, !"
she added, winking knowingly. GLOW
does he look?" nineteen, weak eyes,
white hair, little round nose said the
maid. ''rhen it's he. then it's he" said
| Tant' Sannie, triumphantly; little Pict
| Wander Wait, whose wife died last
month-two farms. 1900 sheep. I've
not seen him, but my sister-in-law told
ME about him. and | dreamed about
him last night Here PETS black hist
appeared in the doorway, and the Bocr
woman drew herself up in digniiicd ST.
lence, extended the tips of her fingers,
and motioncd soemnly TO Il chair The
young man seated himself, sticking his
feet under it us far rs they would 90.
and said mildly: IL am little Piet Van
der Wait. and nv father is big Pet
Wander Wait" Tant' Sannic said sol
EMMY: Yes" Aunt" said the
young man. starting up spasmodically,
.'can otl-sa,ldlc?" Yes" He siezed
his hat and disappeared with Il rush
through the door.
81 told you 50! | knew it, said
Tant' Sannic. ''The dear Lord does not
send dreams for no;hin" Did | not
tell YOU this morning that dreamed of
great beast like sheep. with red
eyes, and that ] killed it? Was not the
white wool his hair. and the red eyes
his weak eyes? and my killing him
meant marriage. Get supper ready
quickly. andth sheep inside and roast
er cakes. We shall sit up tonight"
Nevertheless. when all the rest of
the house had retired, when the long
candle was lighted. when the coffee
kettle was filled. when she sat in her
elbow chair, with her lover on chair
close beside her, and when the vigil of
the night was fairly begun she began to
lind it wearisomc. Tie Young man
looked chilly and said nothing. won't
you put your feet on my stove? said
Tant' Sannic. mo, thank you, aunt"
said the young man. and they both
lapscd into silence. At last Tant' San
ME, afraid of going to sleep, tapped Il
cup of strong coffee for herself. and
handed another to her lover This Wis
IDLY revived both. 'How long were YOU
married, cousin?" Ten months,
aunt" at is very hard when we must
give up our husbands and wives to the
Lord" said Tant' Sannie. 'She was
such a good wife, aunt; I've known her
10 break u churn stick over Il maids
head for only letting dust come on a
milk cloth" Tant' Sannie felt twinge
of jealousy. She had never broken Il
chirn-Stick over Il maids head. 81
hope your wife made a good end" she
said. The next morning at dawn,
rs En- passed through Tant' Sannie's
bedroom, she found the Boer woman
pulling off her boots, preparatory to
climbing into bed. where is Piet
Wander Waltz" Just gone" said
Tant' Sannie, land I'm going to marry
him this day four weeks. lam dead |
sleepy" she added; 1.-THE stupid thing |
doesn't know how to talk lovc-talk at |
ALL" and she climbed into the four
poster, clothes and all, and drew up
the quilt to her chin.