Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-03-29

of exposing her face and hands to the
sun, wearing large poke bonnet and
hiding her hands under her apron on
every available opportunity.
Yet, despite her plain appearance, the
Boer woman is model daughter and
wife and is cherished beyond price by
the fortunate man who wins her
Betrothal and wedding ceremonies
are peculiar. A suitor is expected to
sit up all night with the girl of his
choice. Where the home is a modest
one, father, mother. brothers and sis
ters sit about the room, and the young
couple have much to contend with.
But even though the youthful lover
may have such embarrassing condi-
tions it does not follow that he will be
accepted, for 1t frequently happens
that on closer acquaintance the lady is
not inclined to accept her parents
choice. By her decision the suitor
must abide, for the Boer father would
not force his daughter into an unhappy
alliance.
Long candles of mutton are placed on
the table and beside them large ket-
tie of coffee. which serves as refresh
ment during the hours of the night
About midnight the wooer and wooed
are left by themselves if the parents
are wealthy and have other rooms for
sleeping; If not, they are left sitting
up. while the others seek rest on i'm
provised beds or even on the floor.
1t is amazing how many people will
gather together when wedding is
celebrated. Guns are fired upon the
return of the wedding party and dane
ing is INDUCED in. The blushing pair
is solemnly led to the nuptial cham
Der amid good wishes, handshaking
and cheers. The rejoicing lasts for "a
hours; refreshments and dancing are
the simple entertainments offered
With the morning and the departure of
bride and groom for their own home
the guests finally disperse.
Living away in the veldt the Boer
woman has little need of education.
Able to read the Bible and to write her
name, the average woman is well
equipped from an educational stand
point. Happily during late years the
girls of the well to do class are being
sent to seminaries at Cape Town,
where they receive much better edu-
cation and imbibe the ideas of the wo-
men from the old world.
The woman of the Transyaal is an
undreamed of power in her household,
and this later means Of education is
strengthening her tremendous force
While the movements for the advance
ment of women which have swept over
Europe and Anne lea have not been
literally received in the Boer state,
still the women there are awake to
their higher duties and opportunities
They respond to the new demands
caused by the war and are being
broadened by contact with new condi-
tions.
In war they are to the fighting men
of their families what the Indian
squaws are to their warriors, faithful
helpers and attendants. When an In
dams pony is shot in battle, his squaw
brings up a fresh one, and if her brave
is himself wounded she carries him out
of danger and tends to his hurts.
This is substantially the position of
the Boer women in South Africa. They
form mighty reserve both to the phys
ical and moral forces of the array in
the field. Women at the heads of the
best households in the land are in the
army hospitals as volunteer nurses.
That Cleanliness is next to Godli-
ness;;Y that "Order is heavens first
law" that God will punish the unjust
and give strength to the righteous" are
the sum total of the Beers belief. A
brave, strong race of men is evidence
that pure and noble womanhood is in
the background.