A TRANSVAAL TRAGEDY.

ALL ABOUT A DONKEY. A domestic tragedy, attended by some remarkable circumstances, is reported in tho Transvaal Weekly of 24th April. Copper Mine No. 2, near Pietersburg, is not a copper mine at all, but the name of a farm in a lonely and desolate region, iv which a few agriculturists wring from the stubborn soil the barest means of subsistence. On this farm lived one Christoffel van Rensburg, a man who in happier times was in comparatively affluent circumstances, and who served with distinction as a Republican officer during the late war. The tide of adversity which encompassed many struggling farmers in re- [ cent years swept over him with cruel virulence. His cattle and crops were destroyed, his wife died, and he had I to part with his children, whom he sent to the Langkagte Orphanage. He was a man well advanced in years, but i twelve months back he became acquaint- j ed with a young lady and, after an engagement of five months, they married. The mere girl, with all the freshness and vivacity of youth, cast in her lot with the unfortunate farmer, wrinkled and distressed ivith his worries, and, as might have been foretold, the union was not a happy one. Included in the wife's marriage portion were two donkeys, and arouijd these two despised animals the tragedy centred. On^ 4th March the couple shifted to the Copper Mina Farm and assumed occupation, jointly with the wife's father, who had farmed on the property for a number of years. Van Rensburg engaged some Kafirs to build a rondhavel, and on its completion ho gave them one of Hie donkeys in payment. His wife remonstrated with him over this extravagance, and the quarrel that ensued was terminated only when both parties had become exhausted. Later the wordy warfare was renewed, and Van Rensburg, anxious to come to terms, offered his wife a sovereign to purchase "mooi.goed" (ribbons and lace) in Pietersburg. She indignantly replied, "Keep your gold, but' give me back my donkey, or else 1 will not speak to you again." The following morning he paid a visit to a neighbouring farmer, a Mr. Maritz, and gave Mrs.. Maritz several gold rings and lockets to hold in security for his children. He told her that he was going away, and that he neither knew whither he was proceeding nor when he wovdd return. Van Rensburg then went over to his rondhavel, which was about 15 yards from his father-in-law's house. His wife entered immediately after. Her sister, who is 16 years *of age, was standing in the doorway of her father's house, and could distinctly hear every word that passed. She overheard Van Rensburg say to his wife that it was impossible for them to continue living together, that he could not bear her badgering and bickering, and that he had decided to leave her that instant and seek a living in some other quarter of the country. He apparently then set about packing his personal effects, but his wife cried out, "No, you won't take the things away until you bring my donkey back." On his wife's pronouncing this ultimatum Van Rensburg, his sister-in-law testified, turned round, seized his shotgun, lifted it to his shoulder, and fired point-blank at his wife. He cast one momentary glance of mingled horror ahd remorse at her lifeless body, and then deliberately placed the gun .between his legs, bent down until his forehead touched the muzzle, and pulled the trigger. . The young girl was for a while paralysed with the tragedy that had been suddenly enacted before her eyes, and could neither move nor speak. But having recovered her senses, she rushed into ncr parents' house and apprised them of the affair. Police and medical aid was sent for. but the doctor, ' on his arrival, found that from the terrible nature of their injuries, the death of J both husband and wife must have been instantaneous. j