AN ACTOR'S EXPERIENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LVIII, Issue 113, 9 November 1899, Page 5

AN ACTOR'S EXPERIENCE.

War hod apparently no terrors for Mr. Charles Arnold, the well-known actor, for he and his company were tin 24th September playing farcical comedy in the Boer capital, Pretoria, while preparations wero going on all round for the grim tragedy now being enacted. Writing to an Australian paper Mr. Arnold says: — "We hoped to play out the full twelve weeks (in Johannesburg), but the excitecrcated by the 'Jingo' newspapers was too much for us, as from 500 to 2000 people were leaving daily, and the Boers were ready to declare martial law at any hcur. We then jumped, as most people believed, "out of the frying-pan into the fire." as we went on.' to Pretoria. But what a change it was from panic-stricken, hysterical Johannesburg, The city was *bso»

lutely quiet and peaceful, no excitement ■anywhere, and the only evidence of approaching war was the occasional appearance of men with Mauser rifles. We played 'Jones' the 5 first three nights to splen-* did business, averaging £24 a night more than we did in 1896, just before the Jameson raid. The Boars a.re not showing any ill-feeling against my English company, and so far have treated vs r most hospitably. The Hon. Mr. Menjies, member for Pretoria, himself introduced me at tho Pretoria Club to many prominent Boers, and the tiiext day Mrs. Menjies. caJled on Mra. Arnold with a great basketful of roses Q,nd 50 newly - laid eggs. Another Boer,' hearing that my little girl ■was ill, sent her milk from his farm daily. These attentions '.from perfect strangers have opened my eyes to the fact that the Boer is 'not as black as he is painted.' I find they all dread the war, but have been led to believe they are fighting for their liberty and homes. From what I can gather on the spot,, the Johannesburg capitalists on the one side and the Hollanders on the other have much to answer for. When war does break out, I am assured we shall be allowed to get safely away."