The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-10
President steyn's Romance.
[From the London NALL


President Steyn, whose proclama ton
''annexing a portion of Cape Colony north
of the Vaal river created mix ed feelings
of amusement and Indignation in London
Yesterday, spent his earlier years with
his maternal grandmother at Bloemfon-
This good lady was the wife of the IA
nous BOer leader and pioneer. Vessels
a man with some sterling qualities whose
memory the Beers hold in the highest
reverence. Mrs Vessels was a fit wife
for such a husband-brave, determined,
patriotic, gentle and loving.
''trekIzine5T Beers took in their country,
than the lions which prowled about in
of night Steyn's grandmother, when a
young married woman. had to fly from
one child in her arms, another running
by her side clinging to her skirts In
down to cultivate their farms, and the
Vessels were able to look back on the
that Steyn and his brothers heard often
from their grandmothers lips was You
free Steyn dwells upon the memory of
this noble woman with affection and
pride.
The marriage of the president of the
Free State is quite a little romance in
itself. He was intended for a legal ca
reer and when nineteen years Of age
left South Africa to pursue his studies in
Winsome Iassie Of twelve. and the bow
and the eirI became boon comma Mons TO
the end of the voyage Steyn studied
Wyitd diiigencs and success; Sometimes he
ion. and wondered if he should ever see
her again.
Bloemfontein full-f1edged barrister- He
had only been home a few days when he
attended 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 ex-
riage was accepted, but Steyn's financial
position did not warrant him in setting
up housekeeping Just them He had pIen-
ty of brains, but few briefs to exercise
them on. There was nothing for it but
Steyn Travelled a great deal in circuit.
and the letters for his sweetheart he ad-
whom Miss F'raser-for such was the
young woman's name-called every day
now is no bigger than a decent-sized Eng
fish village; in those days it was SO small
that everybody made a point of knowing
everybody else's business. Consequently,
people were quick to notice the friend
ship that had sprung. up between Miss
Fraser and Steyn's friend in the barris-
ter's absence, and the general impression
was that this friend was trying to steal
Stevn's sweetheart from him thus prov
ing himself a traitor to Steyn and IN
worthy Of recognition by any honest. fair
dealing resident of Bloemfonteini Friends
he was met with smiles he saw nothing
but frowns, but he stuck loyalty to his
trust despite it all.
When Steyn returned to Bloemfontein
people received him with yelled express
sions of cofnmiseration- Steyn could not
understand it He FASTENED to the resi-
dence of the man who had been acting
as his ''postman.' and inquired the mean
ing Of It all. He roared with laughter
when he heard of the conclusion his fell
low townsmen had jumped to, and how
surprised those good but misguided folk
were when they saw the rising young
barrIster and the base deceiver'' walk
ing arm in arm through the streets may
be readily imagined At last Bloemfontein
learned the truth. They had much to ask
forgiveness for when the man upon whom
they had too quickly passed Judgment,
and he was feted and banqueted for
many days thereafter. The marriage Of
Advocate Steyn and Miss Fraser rounded
off a pretty little romance, but whether
the postnanp acted as best tman'-if
there is such an office at a Boer wedding
-deponent sayeth not.
In this wise did the man who is figur-
eng so prominently in the Transvaal wal
meet, WOO and win a charming bride.
Don't you think he has wonderful
control over his voice?" asked the
young woman. No" answered Miss
Cayenne, II can't say I think that. He