Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-08
DOM PAUL's PERSONALITY.
Pen Picture of Pres. kruger-A Truly
DemOcratic Chief Mngistrntc.


Howard C. Hillegas, in his book "oom
Paul's People" gives the following pen
sketch of the president of the Transvaal
republic:
president Kruger's personality Is most
unique He impresses one as being a king
in the garb of farmer, genius in a
ounces cap At first sight he would be
mistaken for an awkward countryman, with
"store clothes and a silk hat intended for
some one else. His frock coat is far too
small to reach around his corpuent body
and his trousers seem to have a natural an
tipathy for his shoes.
president Kruger is short in stature,
measuring less than feet inches. His
head and body are large and fat, but his legs
are thin and short. His head is just trifie
longer than broad and almost fits the Eng
lish definition OF square head The small
eyes are surmounted by bushy eyebrows,
which extend half an inch beyond his fore
head. When he smiles the big, fat circle
around his cheeks are pushed upward and
shut his small, gray eyes from view. But
when pleased the president generally laughs
hilariously and then his eyes remain closed
for the greater part OF a minute. Mr.. kru-
gers nose and mouth are the chief features
OF his face. Both are more extensive than
his large face demands, but they are such
marvels in their own peculiar way as to be
distinguishing marks. The bridge OF the
nose grows wide as it goes outward from
the point between the eyes, and before it
reaches the tip it has a gentle upheaval.
Then it spreads out on either side and covers
fully two inches of area above his upper
lip Ii is not attractive, but in that it fol-
lows the general condition of his facial land
scape.
THE ymoutheis wide and ungainly. The
constant use Of a heavy pipe has caused a
deep depression on the left side of his lower
lip and this gives the whole mouth the ap-
pearance of being unbalanced His chin is
large and prominent and his ears corre-
spond relatively in size and symmetry with
his face. When in repose his features are
not pleasant to look upon, but when lighted
up by smile they become rather attractive
and generally cause his laughter to become
contagious among his hearers. The thin line
of beard which runs from ear to ear COM
bines with the hair on his head in forming
what is not unlike white halo around the
presidents face. The lines in the mans
face are deep, irregular and very numer-
Gus. They indicate more than anything the
ceaseless worry and troubles to which the
president has been subjected while directing
the affairs of his countrymen OF the Trans
vaal.
THE physical description OF the Kruger
OF today is one that suggests sluggishness
and ideness rather than alertness and cease
less activity The appearance of the man
certainly does not conform with his record
of marvellous performances, unflagging en-
deavor and superior mental attainments.
The well preserved Kruger of rs bears no
deep marks OF the busy and eventful life
ba bac cd thera viaihla indipa-
tons that the end of his usefulness to his
people is close at hand.
When our party reached the little white
washed cottage in which the president lives
score or more of tall and soil stained
farmers were standing in a circular group
on the low piazza. They were laughing hi
lariously at something that had been said
by shorter. fat man who was nearly hid
den from view by the surrounding circle of
patriarchs. breach in the circle disclosed
the president of the republic with his left
arm on the shoulder OF a long -whiskered
Boer and his right hand swinging lightly in
the hand of another OF his countrymen. 1t
was democracy in its highest exempliica-
ton.
THE front door OF the cottage, or White
house. as they call it., was wide open.
There was no funkey in livery to take
our cards, no white-aproned servant girls
to tra-la-l la our names. The executive man
sion OF the president was as free and open
to visitors as the farmhouse OF the humblest
burghe OF the republic. In their efforts to
display their qualities OF politeness my
companions urged me into the presidents
private reception room while they fingered
for a short time at the threshold. The
president arose from his chair in the op-
posite end met me In the center Of the
room and had grasped my hand before my
companions had an opportunity OF going
through the process OF an introduction.
There was less formality and red tape
in meeting Dom Paul than would be re-
quired to have a word with Queen Vic
toria's butcher or President McKiney's of
flee boy"