The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-07-22

Mrs. Kruger was formerly a Miss Du
Plessis and became the wife Of former
President Kruger almost 50 years ago.
She was descended from the Du Plessis
family which gave France one OF the
princes OF It's church and state in the
person OF the famous Cardinal Richelieu.
She was II years old, and was the second
wife of former President Kruger. 10
whom she bore l6 children seven of
whom are still living.
OF her sons, one is private secretary TO
his father and another is a captain OF an
infantry company
Since her husbands flight Mrs. Kruger
has lived on in the old homestead. An
English guard OF honor was placed about
her house, and the street upon which she
lived. 10 spare her any annoyance tina.
might come from a meeting with British
soldiers.
Mrs. Kruger was Just such a person rs
one would expect TO find presiding ovcr
the household Of such a man as Dom
Paul. Her personality duplicated that or
her famous husbands In the matter OF
simplicity. She was a typical Dutch
frow, disdainful OF dress and amuse-
ments, finding her greatest enjoyment in
life In ministering 10 the personal wants
OF her husband, whom she worshipped.
and in conducting his household along
the lines of thrift and frugality.
Up TO the very last when her home life
was broken up by the flight Of Dom Paul
from the country. she arose at o'clock
in the morning and, over a little kitchen
stove, prepared her husbands morning
cup OF coffee. When her heavier house,
hold duties were disposed OF, she tended
IN hnr Enf Inc he. agfI apffu he
were I'm wearable condition. This done she
worked on her own clothing. II IN said
that she made all OF the dresses which
she had worn for the last few years.
One of Mrs. Kruger's many good traits
was her love for dumb animals. She
could not tolerate the idea of women
wearing birds and feathers as hat deco
rations, and was never guilty OF such a
practice herself, This love OF birds is in
stanced by the following anecdote
When statue was being erected 10 her
husband, the sculptor visited Mrs Kru-
ger 10 ask her opinion OF the sketches.
The drawings represented the president
in his high hat and the thing that seemed
TO concern his good wife the most was
"A desire to have the top of the crown left
hollow so that the rain would stand in IL,
and thus afford a drinking place for the
birds.
Her wish was complied with and her
object attained. for whenever there is a
rainfall there can be seen cloud OF lit
tie birds huttering about the statue and
enjoying the fruits of Mrs. Kruger's
kindly impulses.
The management OF her household was
conducted with the same strict economy
as characterized her personal duties. The
homestead Is a little white, two-story
cottage. Her parlor furniture consisted
OF a set of horsehair chairs and lounges
that have been I'm active service ever
since she married Dom Paul The walls
and ceilings OF this little cottage were
kept In a state of perfect cleanliness, and
one year were thoroughly whitewashed.
One great characteristic of this little
housewife was her silence. She never
spoke of state affairs, and never inter-
fered I'm matters political. She was a very
shrewd woman, however and 1t was be-
lieved that her influence over her hus-
band in matters OF moment was no small
matter Her husband was her idol, the
STAFF upon which she leaned, She thought
him the best and wisest man that ever
lived. She did not speak English, and as
a result lived more or less a life of Sc
clusion, since Dom Paul left the Trans
vaal.
MIR KRUGERs GRIEF
London, July 2a.-"owing TO the Sunday
telegraph hours In Holland" says a dis
patch TO the Daily Mail from Hilversum,
MIR. Kruger was not Informed OF his
wifc's death until the evening. The news
was broken 10 him by DR.. Heymans and
Secretary Boeschoten. Mr.. Kruger who
had Just returned from HiiVersum church
burst into tears and asked to be left
alone.
He exclaimed, She was a good wife
We quarrelled only once. and that was
six months after we were married. lie
prayed for long time, and Is now calm
ly sleeping, HIS Bible beside his bed
The Transvaal and Orange Free State
flags flying above the white villa were
draped and half-masted "