The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-28
Resides I'm n Handsome villa at
Utrecht, Surrounded by "A STAFF Of
officials, Clerks and Servants.
A FACTORY FOR STATE PAPERS
PRACTICAL WAY OF REFUTING UN-
TRUTHS TOLD IN ENGLAND.
Kruger Has High Opinion OF Amer
leans and Their Newspapers-A
Quaker i'm a Religious Sense.

Correspondence Of the Indianapolis Journal.
UTRECHT. Sept. H.-Absolute quiet
reigned when 1 rang the bell at President
jelust'' is a good-sized. dignified place.
doubly impressive on account of the silence
pervading street. garden and house. I
waited probably three minutes between the
two laurel trees thanking the mighty door
ere there was a sign of life from within:
the very curtains draping the windows in
true Dutch spotless way, hung limp and
unmoved as If no one ever brushed against
them, or no breath Of air ever ruftied their
correct folds.
At last the door opened. slowly, noise
lessly and a servant. far prettier than the
ones we see pictured beside the wind
mills, bid me a CHEEKY good after
noon and good appetite" 1 gave her
my card to take TO Her Won Boeschoten.
under secretary of state and chief Of Cab
met to the President
Your worship is welcome TO 60 to the
kantoor," she replied in business-like
way. Evidently they are not afraid OF
newspaper men in this house.
The jonkfraw led the way through long,
semi-dark corridor of well-scrubbed hard
wood, with a bright red velvet runner IN
the center. When we had walked the
breadth OF the house there was subdued
light. The door leading to the garden stood
half open, displaying many-colored tulip
beds and green trees and hedges. Six or
seven clerks sat in the "kantoor," or Of
fee at high desks, bending over books and
large sheets of foolscap paper. writing in
dustriously. From time to time one or an
other rose 10 enter an adjoining room, a
finished document in hand and preserving
the utmost caution against noise. You
could hardly hear these ponderous men
walk or move, only some indiscreet pen
dared, at intervals, interrupt the great
silence by shrili little outcry.
The undersecretary came in person TO re-
ceive my letter of introduction. He is a
good-looking who might pass
for a person of forty-hve or fifty. II
it was not for his white beard and hair
His clear blue eyes are still those Of n
youth full of hope and ambition.
1.-The Herr President happens to be down.
stairs" he said with kindly smile; Il will
inquire whether he can see you at this mo-
ment"
When, after a few minutes, he returned.
his face was bright with the happiness a
kindly person feels when able 10 do an
other a good turn. "Come along. the Heer
President will be glad of your visit" Crhe
"Heer'' is never omitted before the off,
cial designation by Transvaalers. may
they be ever so rough otherwise)
The undersecretary took me through
his own cabinet. where half dozen gen.
tlemen. attired in black frock coats. sat
k...A
the outer door, Won Boeschoten turned
abruptly, as If struck by a sudden thought.
and said half-apologetically:
81 hope you won't talk politics with the
Heer President. Nothing on the war or
questions involving Great Britain-if you
will do US a favor"
81 promise it," I answered, for there was
nothing else to do but to comply with so
reasonable a request under the circum-
stances.
Thank you," said Won Boeschoten." the
Heer President will appreciate your dis
erection.
BY that time we had reached the end OF
the corridor. The undersecretary had HIS
hand on the door-knob OF the presidential
chamber when he saw me looking at q
large oil painting. hanging directly OPP
posite the entrance, at the side OF high
window. 1.-THE Heer President in his forty
fifth year. He likes to have IL near him.
in a good light. 1t is one OF the pleasures
of old age to look backward. you know
Next moment the door opened: The
Heer President"-and my own name, ma
tionality and profession.
PAUL KRUGER.
The President OF the former Boer Re-
public is too well known from his numer-
Gus portraits and caricatures to call for
a pen picture here. My first impression
of him crystallized in the phrase that he
was all there" All there. his clumsy. giant
form incased in a loose suit OF doubtful
black, his hair almost as long. though not
as curly and beautiful as Buffalo Bills.
his small eyes of indefinite color. set high
in the face. with great puffy rings beneath
yes. and there was the tall hat on a side
table. AS with our own Abraham Lincoln.
the stovepipe must always be within reach
Bent? you ask. Not bit OF IL. Kruger's
shoulders may stoop when he walks. but
when / him there trait or
suggestion OF infirmity
He was sitting behind a big fat desk
in an enormous armchair that seemed to
occupy the exact center Oh the rOOu. IN
front of him on a little slanting reading
platform lay family Bible. bound In wood
and leather. with massive silver clasps and
corner trimmings.
The ''Heer President" regarded me for
some moments while his hand rested on the
good book. the index finger marking the
line. The inspection seemingly resulted in
my favor. for at length he extended that
mighty fist and felt my hand In its grasp
strenuous. sincere grasp. accompanied by
a searching look. Now a smile OF welcome
/ played around Paul Kruger's wide mouth.
Dropping the hand he pointed towards O
chair at the side OF the desk and thun-
| dered: sit DOWN.
This ''sit down was characteristic OF the
man. IL was the language OF an autocrat.
a command. the expression OF absolute will.
Kruger speaks in short. jerky sentences,
the shorter the better he In pleased Yet.
even IL his voice Communicated" the
stranger thus upceremoniously. there was
kindness I'm his face.
While Won Boeschoten sat down at my
side and announced his willingness TO act as
interpreter. / had another good look az
Paul Kruger. There is an unmistaka bis
natural dignity about this man who sprung