The times., 1899-11-05
A MEDAL FROM DOM PAUL.
Given TO an American in ABprecia-
ton of MnriSsmnnShip.

hA 4''i-t 1t -NFf lffth A+Ahullf-J
Charles Fitzpatrick, the one-legged trick
bicycle rider. IS especially interested in the
South African war. because he is person
ally acquainted with Dom Paul. Mr. Xii
patrick spent six months in the Transvaal
and gained considerable knowledge OF the
character Of the Inhabitants. He declares
with pride, that he was the first man who
ever received q medal from the President
OF the Dutch republic.
Fitzpatrick was riding his wheel at Jo-
hannesburg and was invited to go to Pre-
tOria and give an exhibition before the
school children. Many adult Beers were
present al the entertainment, and Kilpat-
rick wound up his clever performance by
shooting glass balls thrown in the air while
riding at full speed 1t was this that
caught the fancy Of the war-like Beers. and
they cheered the performer to the echo.
fitzpatrick was taken before President
Kruger afterward, and they talked togeth-
er through an interpreter. Oom Paul ex-
pressed great interest in Americans and
American institutions He asked particu-
larly about the railroad and postal systems
Of the United States.
Fitzpatrick told Dom Paul that America
had had two Of the greatest men the world
had ever produced.
Who were they?" promptly asked Dom
Paul
George Washington and Abraham Lin
coin replied Mr. Fitzpatrick
"Umph," grunted Dom Paul Then,
turning TO the interpreter. be said
Tell the young man that / probably
know more about the history of George
Washington and Abraham Lincoln than he
does"
As Fitzpatrick was taking his leave the
/ President pulled Transyaal sovereign
/ from his pocket and gave il 10 him Then
! he took il back, and, handing It to a Mr.
! WeinthaI who was present told him TO
have the following inscription engraved
| upon il,
From President Paul Kruger. South
African Republic, 1896"
The English newspapers OF Johannes
I burg. IN commenting on the gift the next
/ day declared that Fitzpatrick was the most
I fortunate man in the Trausvaal. Presi-
/ dent Kruger had given him a medal. and
/ it was the first thing that Dom Paul had
/ given away in mis- life.
Fitzpatrick believes that there are no
more hospitable people in the world than
/ the Beers He told about being caught in
I q great rainstorm while riding his bicycle
/ He finally reached Boer farmhouse in
company with a friend. The two weary
and drenched cyclists were Immediately
( invited into the house, where supper and
} q bed were prepared lot Ihem- AFTER
/ breakfast the next morning Fitzpatrick Of
/ fered money. but his host refused to ac-
! cept a cent The Boer and his family
could speak no English, but Fitzpatrick de-
/ clared that they knew instinctively that
J the foreign travellers they had entertained
were not Englishmen.
| According 70 Fitzpatrick the Beers hate
only the English. They scruunize every
! stranger they meet so closely that ii is
embarrassing at times. but they rarely
make a mistake as to A PERSONS national
| ity. They are particularly pleased to meet
Americans. and always give them most
| cordial welcome in their country homes.
| They have a supreme confidence in Dom
Paul. and also in their ability to defeat
the English.
| According to Kilpatrick's view, the KAT
| fins are more friendly toward the Beers
than toward the English.