Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-02-22

from petty things and engrossed il
vast ideas. Mr.. Rhodes gives evidence
Iof this by breaking off conversation
when it becomes small. and concen
trating his mind on some entirely for
eign subject.
You need not tax with Mr.. Rhode:
five minutes to learn that he is E
thinker. Dr.. Jameson and other lieu
tenants who have achieved more OF
less distinction, seem but as moth:
| flying about an arc light They think
in pennyweights; Rhodes in tons. He
never bothers with details; they take
care Of themselves. Half the time he
does not even have pocket money
| travelling on a street car in Cape
Town one day, he found himself with
out the necessary 'tichy' (threepenee)
and accepted a loan
Rhodes exclaimed the American
conductor in writing sarcasm, Dusty
Roads, l guess. Indeed, the Colossus
looked rather dusty, having been on a
| tramp along the docks. The detail of
| dress, however, is one to which he is
especially Indifferent His favorite
garb is white flannel shirt with a
| polkadot tie soft felt hat and modest
gray or black clothes. He wears no
diamonds. In this costume | saw
him call upon Sir Alfred Miner in the
executive mansion. The turnkey at
the door, nevertheless, cracked his
spine in making an obeisance.
But Mr. Rhodes clothes attract
your attention last, so domineering. al
most oppressive, is his presence. Not
that he is unlike other men-an i'm
mune to human passions, frailties and
luxuries. Far from it. l noticed that
he greatly enjoys a good cigar, drinks
Scotch whisky and champagne.
Cecil Rhodes is a keen observer, a
philosopher, shrewd of wit, not given
TO long speeches, brave, and lavish
with money when he thinks it profit
able to be so. His countenance is not
an encouraging study for the senti-
mental. In the knowledge of south
Africans he has never shown atten ton
to any woman. Disappointed-in-lo love
stories about him go the rounds at in
terVals, but are never verified. There
seems to be little room in his make
up for that sort of thing. He treats
the gentler sex with Indifference and
even rudeness. For his two sisters
alone does he exhibit fondness, and
being 'man-haters.'
Nothing aggravates Mr.. Rhodes
more than for one of the Chartered
companys employees to get married.
came down from Beira on a German
steamer with d newly welded couple
who were returning to England most
detected. The bridegroom had been
trusted lieutenant in Rhodesia, and
went home on a leave of absence at
his generals suggestion. When he
returned with a rOsy-cheeked bride,
however, Rhodes received him coldly,
and remarked shortly that the climate
in south Africa was ruinous to a wo-
mans beauty
while this might be construed as
'littleness,' it is a popularity of the
man that falls in line with his lifes
aim and work He holds that the I'M
married man will take greater risks
and accomplish more for him on the
fringe of civilization. He looks at it
in purely business way, and is will
ing to pay the highest prices for the
most efficient work.
"Rhodes' face and form command
your respect. His forehead is mas
sive. The grayish light hair lays
rather close to his head, and is in
ciined to curl. The ears and nose are
big; the chin firm, prominent and
double. The brows are heavy and
OvershadOw bright, keen and thought
full gray eyes. His mouth indicates
severity, sarcasm and determination
His neck is thick, his shoulders strong,
and his hands muscular, with fingers
broad at the ends. He is of medium
height, his body heavy. In his fore
head you see where gigantic ideas are
generated; in his chin how they are
carried out. The lines of his mouth
tell you plainly that slight infringe
ments of the ethical code are not to in
terfere in his project; that the end
iustifies the means"