Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-11-16
Story OF Dom Paul.

/ nrSJ COnCIule JudI He udS Ueeu SLeaI-
ly er-estimated. He seems nothing
more than shrewd old hunter, who
by constant contact with wild ami
mails and savage Kafirs has developed
wariness that makes him supic-
ious of everything and everybody.
He does not have the penetrating
eye usually ascribed to great men.
On the contrary, puff of flesh under
meath of his eyes, as a rule, permits
one to see but a narrow CLEAN giving
one the expression of shiftiness.
His legs are so short and slender
that you wonder how they bear the
weight of heavy, thick and solid
body. His head is big, with nose and
ears to match, and his neck, concealed
by beard, hair and coat collar, so that
you cannot determine whether or not
he INDUCES in neck wear. At home
he is usually putting short briar pipe
and as he handles this you notice that
the thumb of his left hand is missing.
There is a story in connection with
that His Honor will tell you between
pufs if he is in a mood. 1t gives an
idea of the spirit which is character
istlc of the old Beers.
Mr.. Kruger, when young man, was
out hunting one day with rife which
had not been used for long time.
While tinkering with a charge the
gun exploded, tearing his left thumb IN
shreds. Kruger's companions wanted
him to give up the hunt and hurry to
the nearest surgeon, but the interPid
young Boer refused Taking out his
hunting knife he placed the lacerated
thumb on the stock of his rifle and
amputated it himself. By tying about
the stump piece of rawhide he stop
ped the flow of blood, and, winding
around it a red handkerchief, he con-
tinued the sport.
All though his life Kruger has had
narrow escapes from death, and his
career, if detailed fully, would be
thrilling. When only IA years old he
and his little sister strayed away from
the large town in Cape Colony, where
the elder Kruger had settled on emil
grating from Germany and while play
ing were suddenly attacked by leo
pard. Young Krugsr's only weapon
was jackknife, but shielding his SIS
ter with one arm, he met the vicious
spring of the leopard with the other
and after a bloody struggle succeeded
in stabbing it to death.
His first duty, he believes,l is to God,
and his second to Rhodes, whom he
detests like poisonous reptile. But
for Rhodes, Mr. Kruger says,all would
be peace and quietness in the Trans
vsal. So long as this man is in South
Africa there is no rest for the Beers,
and their secret service agents may be
fonnd on every street in Johannes
burg, on the lookout for Uitlander
conspirators.
Kruger, in addition to his other ac-
complishments, is by far the best
preacher in the Transvaal, and the
Dutch Reformed Church boasts Of
some capable men there. He occu-
pies the pulpit in modern brick edi-
fee across the street from his home
about once a month, and always talks
to standing room only. He uses no
notes, but speaks of-hand from text,
and does not hesitate to sprinkle lit
tie humor in the discourse. In his
speeches before the Rad he quotes
scripture generously and even more
so in conversation.
As for his private life, that seems
to be exemplary. After rising ne
prays for q long time in his room, and
talks over with the Lord" the ques-
tions of the day. When he develops
a conviction in this way he proceeds
to act upon it. Kruger's piety once
nearly cost him his life. A good many
years ago he suddenly disappeared,
and when be failed to show up a
searching party was tnads up 10 hunt
for him. st the end of three days
they found the future President, who
was then a field cornst, lying face
down on the open vsldt. He had been
praying three days and night steadily,
without food or water, and was nearly
dead.
Mr.. Kruger is now 76 years old,
and has been elected to the Presiden-
cy four times. His salary is $4,000
81 800 for cofss. This he drinks
black, and go hot that the burghers
say it will scald the hair off q dog
His life has certainly been remark