The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-05-19
THE children LIKE IT
kENNEDY'S LAXATIVE
COUCH SYRUP
LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

We have been permitted to publish the
following personal letter from Mrs. Clara
Ellis Taylor to relatives in North Sears
port. Mrs. Hugh Taylor was Clara May
Ellis, daughter of Mrs. Rosa Rosenbaum
Ellis of Washington, D. c., and a great
granddaughter of the late W. J. Dodge
of North Searsport. Her husband has a
position under the British government at
Rustenburg.
Rustenburg, The Transvaal
South Africa. April 9, 1910.
My Dear Cousin: was, indeed, more
than pleased to receive your nice letter.
1t came two weeks ago.
Well, l guess spring is beginning to
peep in up in Maine, whereas it is au-
tumn here This village is entirely sur
rounded by hills OF copies as they are
called here, and now they are real brown.
One thing which makes it seem SO differ
ent from fall is that there are no red and
gold leaves falling as at home. You see
The trees here do not shed their leaves,
but remain green all Of the time Such
lovely flowers as we are now having.
Our yard is filled with nasturtiums, cos
mos, roses and large red lilies, very much
like the tiger lily at home.
We have very nice vegetable garden
at the experiment station. We now have
green corn (mealies it is called here) po-
tatoes, lettuce, lima beans and tomatoes.
All of the houses are one story, with
front and back porches. We have liv-
ing room, two bed rooms, dining room,
pantry, kitchen and bath-all good sized
rooms.
1t was very warm this past summer,
but no worse than I've felt it many times
in Washington. Our hottest weather was
at Christmas time. Doesn't that seem
strange? Fortunately, the rainy season
comes in summer, so when the heat seems
almost unbearable nice rain comes and
lays the dust.
Horses die off rapidly here, so mules
are used instead. All of the Beers use
OK wagons, using fourteen or sixteen
oxen to each wagon.
The people in the town are very nice.
Our friends are mostly among the Eng
fish, Scotch and Hollanders. The people
born here are called ''Afrik anders.
The sun shines always. Some days !
long for good cloudy day, such as we
have at home, but it is no use longing, the
old sun continues to pour down upon US.
The moonlight nights are glorious.
Folks from all over the world declare
there is nothing to equal South African
night. 1t is as bright as day.
The birds here have the most beautiful
plumage, but sad to say they never sing.
Isn't that strange?
The negroes here are always called
Kaffirs They make very good servants,
the boys being better than the girls. 1
have girl to do the laundry and boy
to help me with the house work. His
name is Chochola Ramagogoda. Qsn' t
that a ter1or?) He does not understand
one word of English SO speak Dutch to
him. have learnt quite a little of that
language. Besides speaking Dutch the
Kaffirs have a language Of their own,
which sounds very pretty.
Mr.. Taylor enjoys his work very much.
The experiment station is mile and a
half from town. We hope to have a
house built for us out there soor.
hope all of you are real well. Guess
you are looking forward to Waldo's and
family's visit. Hugh joins me in sending
very best wishes to all Of you. If have
written any little thing that might inter-
est any one why pass it around.
Write whenever you have spare time.
| think grandmother must be at Aunt
Susies now hope so.
With love to you and cousin Ed,
Your cousin,
CLARA ELLIS TAYLOR.