Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-30
PRESIDENT sTEYN.s ROMANCE
"" ne NET and Married Miss Fraser
at HIOemfontein
From the London Mail.

From the London Mail.
president Steyn, whose proclamation '.an-
AeH'hs a portion of Cape Colony north of
ne 'dal river created mixed feelings of
-"'uSeiheht ana Indignation in London yes
V'"aS' spent MS earlier years with his
maternal grandmother at Bloemfontein.
1hls good lady was the wife of the ia
nous Boer leader and pioneer, Wessels-a
man with some sterling qualities whose
memory the Beers hold in the highest rev.
erence- Mrs. Vessels was fit wife for
such a husband-brave, determined patri-
otto, gentle and loving.
The natives disputed every step the trek
KING Beers took in their country, but they
were hardly more dangerous than the lions
which prowled about in large numbers
Many time in the dead of night Stevn's
grandmother, when young married wo-
man, had to fly from impending death in
one form or another, one child in her arms
another running by her side clinging to her
skirts. In later years, when the Beers had
settled down to cultivate their farms and
the Vessels were able to look back on the
stormy days That had passed, phrase that
Steyn and his brothers heard often from
their grandmother's lips was: You are free
men. See to 1t that you remain free
oteyn dWelis upon the memory of this noble
woman with affection and pride
The marriage of the president of the Free
state Is quite little romance in itself He
was intended for legal career, and when
nineteen years of age left South Africa to
pursue his studies in Europe. On the same
snip was a sweet, winsome lassie of twelve.
and the boy and the girl became boon com
panions to the end of the voyage Steyn
studied with diligence and success Some
| times he thought of his little travelling
! companion, and wondered if he should ever
see her again.
Six years passed. and Steyn returned to
Bloemfontein full-fedged barrister. He
dan hoy, Isaa
tended a school function, and one of the
first guests he was introduced to was a
beautiful young woman of eighteen in
whom he quickly recognized his ship COM
panion of six years before. Under similar
circumstances young people are apt to call
such a coincidence destiny" and Steyn
and his sweetheart were no exception to
the rule. His offer of marriage was ac-
| not warrant him in setting up housekeeping
| just then. He had plenty of brains, but
rev briefs TO exercise them on. There was
| nothing for it but to wait and work
Steyn Travelled a great deal in circuit
and the letters for his sweetheart he ad-
dressed secretly to a mutual friend, upon
whom Miss Fraser-for such was the young
woman,s name.oalled every day for her
billets-doux. Bloemfontein even now is no
bigger than decent-sized English village;
in those days it was so small that every
body made point of knowing everybody
else's business. Consequently people were
| quick to notice the friendship that had
sprung up between Miss Fraser and Steyn's
| friend In the barrister's absence and the
general impression was that this friend was
| trying to steal Steyn's sweetheart from him,
thus proving himself traitor to Steyn and
unworthy of recognition by any honest.
| fair-dealing resident of Bioemfontein.
Friends deserted the unhappy man; where
once he was met with smiles he saw moth
Ing but frowns, but he stuck loyalty to his
trust despite it all.
When Steyn returned to Bioemfontein