New-York tribune., 1901-01-13
THE CAPE TOWN "HOOTER."
HOW THE RECEIPT OF NEWS is ANNOUNCED TO
AN EAGER PUBLIC.
From The LONDON Globe

From The London Globe
Listen t. 18th is that the he H99teT'? All wonder what
great Cape Town life. II is the hope and
the fear Of us all And vet il IS nothing ing PHt & the
which is sounded whenever any special war news is
received from the front There are many other n
tories, from the transports that lie covering the
that ply their tireess wav from hot and dusty
Cape Town to the cool and pleasant suburbs, where
the very field OF battle itself. in the far north
iy has peca P1l bass noe wh
quering the stiffes southeast wind that blew to
There is no mistakng it, Its sound goes forth 10 ali
the the town: and our hearts quicken ana our @ pulses
tnge with anxiety 10 know whether the news b'
The well known blast may be heard at any time
between O'Clock in the morning and the
hour at night Some days it sounds often. then a
ways the loud triumphant of victory. 1t has
been the signal of much sorrow TO loyal British
Valley is not at its it is divided against itself
1t has its citizens loyal and true. many Of them
arms against the invaders of the Cape Colony and
tory brings no joy. and TO whom Boer success
means naught but pleasure. But all, young and
.Hooter" - The very child in the nursery cries out
Thousands Of people-Jew and Gentle. British
fact representatives Of ali I nations Dep and ali lam
guagesI,leaving their ordinary pursuits. rapidly
day or in the cool Of the evening to The Cape
Times once, In 81 George 'S-St., to get copy or
the special telegram they know is being issued
The throng is a curious one for Cape Town, with the
multitude Of refugees added to its ordinary popua
ton. is perhaps at this time the most cosmopolitan
community in the Empire. All intensely eager
10 hear the news, but questions his neigh
bor, though here and there the lucky possessor of
the fresh, damp telegraph special shares it in
silence with those who stand by. Sharp little
Malay boys in red fezes and black, bare legs
driving a good trade by selling for 'tickey'
0hreepence) the sheet they have just secured. by
dint of much pushing and squeezing through i'm
possible spaces for third OF that well known
coin.
The crush at the door of the issuing office is
sitting and odoriferous but no one is dismayed.
News; news at any cost! But-then comes the Won
derful part OF it-be that news good or bad, there
is no outward demonstration on the part of the
crowd or the individual and this is because no
emo emotion Is felt Has there been British victory?
The loyalist heaves a sigh of relief and goes his
way with launtier step and lighter heart. Next
same news, perchance from the same sheet He
too, says nothing but looks round and goes to his
own place downcast and disappointed. Again IL
the udingS be unfaVorable to the British arms
many who were gloomy before lift up their heads
ana rejoice not altogether openly, for that thev
dare not do at the present though they are gather
ing courage. and hope day to be able tn throuy
off the mask Of hypocrisy; but still they rejoice
The crowd that waits for tidings of the war is not
thrllled by one common current OF loyalty The cir
cult is broken Sympathy is wanting All are not
true ~'- "4e iiot