Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-16

oi scenes, ma nncfS ana customs Ia
that part of the world with which we
became quite familiar during the
Beer war. Miss Hodges has described
her trip TO BoerianG in letters To
friends, but such journey:nss have been
quentiy that we give only the descrip-
tive matter concerning j land visited
by hut few from Maine
We were ~ days from England To
Durham, arriving there Feb. 1s To
our surprise they did not overhaul our
baggage, but charged duty according
TO orr own statements of contents.
We took a walk and bought some
pineapples which We're juicy and de-
lieioHs at only two or three cents each,
also mangoes, bananas and grapes
the last two mentioned did not have
the geed flavor they do at home We
then took a tram into the town and
did some shopping. friend Of some
of our party. told us of the Y. NJ c. \.
where we got our dinner and supper
end had some sandwiches put up for
our journey inland to Johannesburg, 4
"A hours ride. Everything was clean
and nice at the Y. NJ. c. A.
Durham is quite a pleasure resort.
They have two artificial roEds fer the
small children to play in There were
many bathers in the ocean. They also
had bath houses and pier out into
the water. There were many large re-
freshment rooms. which We're we'll pat
ronized There are mary rickshas in
Durham: that is, two-wheelcd car
riaee drawn by natives. They can run
very fast have bright, snowy head
dress and their arms. legs and feet are
hare We left Durham at $50 By tram.
These are silimar to those in England.
Each compartment will accommodate
six and also beds for six can be let
down. A narrow passage runs along
the side; the doors of the compaft-
ments open cut of this, with a eonven-
lent lavatory at the end, good mir
ror, wash bowl. soap and towels.
The scenery We passed through was
very Interesting. 1t was unlike any
thing we are accustomed 10 seeing in
America Pretty bungalows and native
shanties or huts. I cannot describe
tie beauty and grandeur of this part
of the country. We passed through
that section Of the country that the
Boer war devastated and saw the
bitches that We're dug at that time
along side the track. They gave US
hearty welcome at tie mission quart
ers.
There is nothing foreign about Jo-
hannesburg, and the people are mostly
white. The next morning we went to
Pretoria, about two and half miles,
where Brother Bowie, who opened the
missions here, lives. It was like sum
mer there but cool at night and only
few weeks to winter. They do not have
any heat in their houses.
This is not far from the gold mines.
Most things are expensive there, they
seem to think that people are making
lots of money. ! reckon some are. too.
Help can be had cheaply that it is
better not to use our strength for wash
ing and hard work. as we need it all for
meetings, visiting, etc. ] remained there
about three months helping Brother
Bowie out on his correspondence. The
first campmeeting ever held. probably, in
South Africa began March 2lst. at a
place five miles from Pretoria called
'.Wonderboom,' meaning wonderful
tree You ask if We have sidewalks
and fences here; certainly we do. In
the country they have some nice fences,
and very good sidewalks in the city
which is more English than American,
but the most of the people for some
reason, prefer to walk in the street.
You ask also if the moon shows the
same face here as in America. No, It is
entirely different; my friend thinks il
resembles a castle, but as yet l have not
formed an opinion of the shadings and
outlines.
During the winter season we have
warm days but often-times the nights
are extremely cold, so | need my heavy
blankets and hot water bottle all right
The natives in these parts speak most
~ in Sesuto and Dutch, but if one car
speak Zulu he can make himself under-
stood most anywhere, We came to oul
first native station at Wonderboom
pronounced Vonderboom), just opened
June 9Th. We had to walk from tht
station and carry all our baggage. As
there are no bridges we crossed tht
streams on stones or bags of sane
placed at regular intervals. The style o
skirts made at home did not serve me il
jumping bitches and narrow streams
| The hut we live in belongs to a Boe
| family and is close beside their house
| believe they have % children In all
They are on a large farm and have lot
of fruit trees, oranges, lemons, etc. on
| little girl just brought me in prickl.
| pear. They have thick outer skin GOV
| cred with prickles and the pear insd
| has quite a nice hayor but full of tin
| seeds. native just brought us tw
| quarts of peanuts 0hey cali them mon
| key nuts" here. We shall roast an
pound them before eating. l have ha
| enough oranges for once in my life, bu
| no apples are to be had in Africa. Th
| Dutch have rice every day, just boile
| and eaten like potatoes, no milk or ST.
gar They boil pumpkins, mash and sea
son with salt.
When the people here pray they clos
their doors and windows of home Q
church, making 1t quite dark.
am getting on well with my study c
Zulu and will close this with an accour
of native wedding. We started OF
last week to the first native village /
notify them OF the meeting on the fo