The herald., 1898-11-08

justice OF Cne Ieacc. One Ol tnc ineH was
from Dayton, Ohio, and sought Gilling-
hams influence to sell Dom Paul phaeton.
Another represented an American marble
firm, and he wanted to build a mausoleum
for the president and his family. Some OF
them had already seen and talked with this
influential ''fixer," and testified that he was
no myth, as we had concluded after being
told continually that he was mot at home,
or chad a meeting to attend" Eventually
we were ushered through the bakery into
a small sitting room, where the presidents 5
right bower receives all his callers, and met
a man with keen blue eyes, light hair, mus
tache and chin beard, Of well set figure,
square shoulders, and speaking good, pure
English. He greeted us warmly and got
right down to business.
"Pve told his honor about you," he said,
"and he is anxious to meet you. Ii you Will
come to my house at o'clock tomorrow
morning I'll take you down, and yon can
talk to him as long as he desires. He's in
good humor now and will talk if you know
your business"
Gillingham was not disposed to speak of
himself, and evaded all questions bearing
on politics, but told us with no little pride
that he was but 80 years old. He was born
at the Cape, of Irish parents, and there abb
sorbed the customs of the Dutch SO thor
| oughly that he is regarded in Praetoria as
a staunch burgher and good Dutchman.
| Though born under the English flag, he
has no love for it, and that is the secret of
his popularity with President Kruger, who
though a mighty shrewd old hunter and
| politician, has points of weakness bordering
on fatuity. Gillingham made his frs coup
with Kruger at the time of the Jameson
, raid, when England threatened to wipe out
the little republic. With the hosts of Eng
land arrayed against the Transvaal, and no
friends, this plucky Irishman got together
some of his countrymen and offered to raise
a regiment to fight for it against the Brit
ish. Furthermore, he communicated with
lrlshmen in America, and proposed that
they arm and equip forces to send down to
aid the Beers Dom Paul, who is just as
generous as he is vindictive, was quite over
come by this offer, and he has ever since
kept warm spot in his heart for the Irish
Glllingham has no other position than
justice OF the peace, seeks for no public
honors, is never written about, and poses
as strictly neutral person. In this capac-
| ity Kruger accepts his advice on the most
important national and international ques-
tions, and the only way he profits is by con
cessions.
Gilllngham lives in more simplicity even
than Mr.. Kruger, who lives with his coach
man. His two sons, Joseph and Parnell,
attend the town school Though Mr. Gilling-
ham intends giving them college educa-
tion), and they may be seen at times be-
hind the counter. Gillingham lives plainly,
and dimes plainly, his only indulgence being
good cigars and fine pair of horses. This
team is usually on the go all day, for he IS
i'll no one place for many minutes. He is
| closeted with Kruger more frequently than
any one else, and the president often calls
at the bake shop and chats in the rear room
with the proprietors about the doings in the
Rand. Though seldom seen actively en-
gagged in his place of business nowadays,
no false pride absents Gillingham, and
when we called in the evening to bid fare
well he was engaged in wrapping up some
hot buns for comely Boer maiden. He
looked at us with benign smile, shook
hands warmly, and then tipped shrewd
wink, as though he would say. tits smart
man who can tell valuable diamond in the
rough. Special Letter to Chicago Inter
| Ocean.