Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-24

makcGa treaty With America in order
that ne might favor our merchants III
trade. - = ~.
~ can trust Americans" he would
say. for know that they do not want
my country
me through his secretary: "When you
go home to the United States tell the
people there for me that there Is q
small nation here, loving their country
and their liberty. and idolizlng the
American flag and the free institutions
or your country. May the United States
ever prosper and remain true to the
principles established by her founders
is my earnest wish" AS he finished
talking 81 tear was seen running down
the old mans cheek.
He often talked of the days when he
drove his fathers old bullock team, and
now brides himself on the fact that he
IS still able to crack a thirty-foot whip
over sixteen bullocks.
1t would be impossible to find a man
who is better judge OF human nature
than Kruger. His likes and dislilles are
spontaneous with him, and 1t generally
turns out that his first impression is a
correct one. He scrutinzed me when I
was q stranger to 4 degree that was
embarrassing, as he does all Britishers
If there is anything about a person
which meets with the old Presidents
disapproval his secretary is told to close
the interview
The home life of Kruger is the most
charming imaginable. What is here
written of it is from my own expert.
ence. Kruger is devoted to his wife,
children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren; while they, in turn
adore him. He lives in "a modest house,
which sits back from the sidewalk
about fifteen feet. There is q grassploi
in front and q sentry box inside of the
iron railing. This house was presented
to him by syndicate. When the Volks-
raad is in session n soldier is stationed
in front of the Presidents house, and
no one, excepting officials, is permitted
to enter the residence during 1.-THE day
unless the secretary authorizes the sen.
try to pass some especial person. Afte,
o'clock in the evening, however all
are welcome to the Chief Executives
home.
Every morning at o'clock n negro
servant takes cup of black coffee and
big pipe filled with tobacco to the
Presidents room. AS soon as he has
drunk the coffee Kruger rises and
smokes the pipe while he is dressing
lie is downstairs by $50 o'clock, and is
ready TO lead the family prayers at I
O'Clock. Breakfast is served about Tat
a. m. His morning hours are taken lln
with matters of state and the dicta ting
OF letters. The dinner hour is o'clock
At all meals Kruger says grace before
bread Is broken. He takes short nan
after the noon meal, and is ready
promptly at o'clock In the afternoon
to receive callers. The supper is served
at o'clock. and the conclusion of this
repast ends all the worriment OF the
day for Kruger. Many writer's have
told how hot cups of thick. black cof-
fee are served at frequent intervals.
Every person received is served with
coffee. Besides his salary OF $4,000 a
year; Kruger is also allowed $4,000 an
nually for coffee money. There is n
two-gallon kettle of coffee always hot
In the kitchen. Mrs. Kruger informed
me that she has known the servants to
serve over thirty gallons OF coffee in
one day. Kruger drinks large quanti-
ties or 1T. Most OF his day is spent in
the front parlor He always has a big
Guspidor at his feet and n pouch OF
Transvaal tobacco and a pipe bv his
side.