The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-20
FANCY Or CRINTE.

FANCY OR CR4AAE-
EErorn. Central News ana Press Ex-
change.1
It was Dingaan's Day. the year be-
fore the war. and in a certain we'll
known town in one Of the Dutch
states which have since been added
TO the British Empire the inhabitants
were holding high revelry, The ran
corosls excitement and enthusiasm
horn OF race hatred and political ri
vaIry were at their zenith. and
brought the intensity OF a climax to
the celebration For miles around
every farm on the vast rolling veldt
had eunptied itself into the town. The
square was packed INNS and private
houses alike were crowded. Dutch
faces, Dutch figures Dutch sentiment
were everywhere in the ascendant.
The Dutch tOngue-or rather the
Marsh cultural Taal, which in that
country mostly passes for Twas
heard on every side all evidences Of
other natfonalities being for the time
submerged in the invading hOrdes of
Boer farmers, their vrowB, their chill
dren, their OK wagons. and their KAT
Gr boys.
It was a curious and from a poIiti-
cal point of view an Interesting sight,
but not wholly pleasing to an Eng
lishmsn, nor assuring to one i'll,
friendless and alone as was. At
such q. time, in such a mob, surround
ed BY such antagonisn. where could
one OF my nationality hope to ind
accommodation? True, the hotelkeep-
srs were, like myself, OF the hated Out
lander class, and might therefore be
relied On for a certain amount Of fell
lcyv-faeline. Still the Boer influence
was paramount and at that time sup
posed to be permanent while I and
such az were birds OF passage, here
today, gone tomorrow. II 1t came to
a question between a Dutchman and a
foreigner. the choice was e foregOne
conclusion.
But in my case there was not even
room for q question. had arrived IN
the overoroWded town late and. ur-
gent as my need was had found no
place to lay my head. I was weary
and travel-worn from months Of trek
king on the veldt, and the unmistak-
able premon1tory symptoms OF African
fever were strong on me. MY pulses
fhrobbed, my ears drummed, I hiv-
cred and burned alternately as the
Chtila OF ague or the fever fire gained
the upper hand. My servants and
wagons were miles behind. had left
them ana ridden on IN hopes Of obtain
ing medical advice and the comfort Of
civilization only to be turned from
every door with the invariable reply,
'tHsud upi Full upi"
ny strength was failing fast and I
wae rapidly nearing that initial stage
Of f7eIirfur1 when concrete facts be-
come Intangible and dreams and the
stuH that dreams are made Of stiffen
Into substance and Importance when
my horse now almost as spent as
was. pulled up of his own accord IN
front OF one OF the many hotels from
which had already been turned away.
BY some good luck, the proprietor, q
sion had had dealings. stood by the
door. lie recognized me- and, touched
perhaps by the detection OF my atti-
tuds and the evident signs Of illness
was moved to ask
What, have you not got quarters
yst4 You look pretty bad, sirl'
II an" I Geebly replied Couldn't
well feel wOrsei I'm in for a bad go
OF fever, I'm afraid. C IT you give
me g shalzedown somewhere? Any
corner would do. I don't think I can
20 much further"
Instead Of answering with q hasty
NEGATIVE, as 7 quite anticipated he
~sould, the little Swiss looked at me
lntently, shrugged his shoulders, and
met my question with another.
els not monsieur English p
nodded assent
For q second or two he stin hest
fated: than he advanced q step to-
wards my stirrup and said in an un-
dorEone speaking in his native
tongue
son dit que les AngIais sOnt des
braves" adding mediately after in
English. Ell monsieur IS not afraid Of
something q little unuEual=peculiar
IS Is say can give him bed"
needed no further invitation tc
dfsnount- 7 was too i'll to notice the
somewhat euignatical nature Of his
,.araarx, ana only caught at the pros
oect 81 spending the night under g
Ns1t present I said. with groan
as nv stln and unsteady limbs touched
se~ffs s'I am afraid Of nothing but Of
fszsinr to spend the night lying on ths
roea show ms the bed and let ms
f4rn iui"
ArafT the man hesitated and looked
f ne ourfouaIy from under his eyelids
aerhe bed" he said at last. throw
49, ant his hands with a deprecatins
iifE7s laugh, is a good one. but mon
1000 must be content to share ths
se--rUt with any one in the leas
tzsetfona bie-ohs no, c'est un homms