The suburban citizen., 1902-03-15
oUM PAUL in EXILE:
How the Old Man Lives in the Little Town
of Hilversum in Holland.

of Hilversum in Holland.
The final scene in the long and ad-
venturous career of the ex-President
of the South African Republic, now on
the point of absorption in the British
dominions, are being enacted at a lit
tie town named Hilversum, in Holland,
According to the latest advices, his
end cannot be very far off, and one
Of the most remarkable men of the
last century will disappear forever
from the stage Of human affairs. Mr..
Kruger inhabits small, two-storied
house, known as Casa Cara, similar
in every way to the residence Of the
wealthy Dutch merchants, and Of the
usual type of country houses in Hol-
land. There are grounds surrounding
the building in which the President
spends a good portion of each day.
Hilversum Is a town Of about $4,000
inhabitants, and is half an hours ride
by rail from Amsterdam. 1t is a favor.
ite country residence of the Dutch be-
ing very healthful and quiet. Dom
Paul rises early, according to his life
long custom, takes a cup of black
coffee the first thing in the morning,
and when dressed repairs to the gar
den, where he remains, as a rule, till
half past 8. During this time he goes
through his mail, which has previously
been classified for him by his private
secretary. He always takes with him
on these occasions his two inseparable
companions, large pipe and a large,
Old-fashioned Bible, with large, metal
clasps.
Although he knows the sacred books
almost by heart, especially those of the
Old Testament, and can always quote
an appropriate passage from the Bible
suitable for any given emergency, yet
he, nevertheless, reads his Bible every
day under the shade of large tree in
the pleasant grounds of the villa. At
noon, precisely, for Mr.. Kruger is
nothing IL not methodical, he takes
cold luncheon with his party, which
as a rule, consists of his nephew, Mr..
Eloff, who &c also his private secretary,
and Mr.. van Boschoeten, ex-Chief of
the Transvaal Ministry; Messrs. Back
van Ven and Breedel, who are in at
tendance on the aged ex-President. His
faithful servitor, Happe, and a Belgian
physician, DR.. Heymann, always ac-
company him. The latter has forbid
den him the use of wine or liquors, his
only drink being mineral water After
luncheon Mr.. Kruger takes a siesta,
which lasts till O'Clock in the after
noon. He then goes for a drive in a
carriage bearing the former arms and
escutcheon Of the Transvaal and re-
turns to the house by o'clock. 1t
pleases the old man greatly to observe
the general respect which he meets
with from all classes of the public,
and even the children strike up the
Boer national anthem, which every one
knows in Holland. as he passes by.
He takes supper at half past 6, and
retires invariably at s p. m.
His undaunted spirit does not appear
to be crushed by the reverses which
have overtaken his beloved country.
and from time to time he observes:
I'VE are strong as ever we were; we
can continue this fight right along, and
will never admit defeat" Brave ex-
pressions from the lips of this most
remarkable old man, whose name viii
undoubtedly drift down to the remotest
posterity. Philadelphia Public Ledger