CHARACTERISTIC STORIES OF PRESIDENT KRUGER.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 3130, 9 December 1899, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHARACTERISTIC STORIES OF PRESIDENT KRUGER.

(Uaihl Mail.) As undoubtedly President Kruger is the man of the hour, a few stories concerning him will be relished. His worst enemy would not accuse him of lack of courage. It is related of him that he was once hunting when he gave chase to a large buffalo. The animal fell into a wallow, and m a second Kruger was on top of it, rider, horse, and buffalo rolling together m the big puddle. Disentangling him.self, Kruger seized the buffalo by the horns, and twisted its neck until he forced its nose under water. After a fearful struggle, by sheer strength he drowned the animal. But President Kruger is above all things a wily diplomatist, as was well shown when a deputation of Uit landers waited upon him to hint that he was responsible for the decrease m value of mining shares. Oom Paul answered them m a parable about a pet monkey ho once had. "Years ago," said the President, "on a cold day, I and the monkey mack 1 a fire, m which the animal burnt his tail, and m revenge bit me. I said to him, ' I made a fin to warm us both, but you burnt your tail m it. That was your own fault, and I don't see why you should bo angry with me.' " When the anecdote was finished, the deputation concluded it was no place for them, and withdrew without a word. On another occasion he had referred to him a question about the division of certain property between two brothers, who agreed, to abide by Kruger's decision. He listened patiently to both sides, and then delivered his judgment. To the elder brother he said : "I decide tnat you, being the senior, shall divide the property. Then he paused to take a pull at his pipe, and continued, with a smile on his face, "but I also decide that the younger brother sh;ill have his choice of the two portions." When Johannesburg was a mere mining cam]). President Kruger was once riding there dressed as an ordinary burgher. He fell m with a German who did not know him, and the son of the Fatherland waxed eloquent on what he would do were he President. The Teuton was a diminutive individual, and was much surprised when his new acquaintance took off his coat and held it towards him, saying, "Put this on." "It's, too large," replied the other, amused. " I know that," lespondc-d tl:e oilier, " I'm President Kruger : if you could tit my coat you might accomplish mighty deeds." President Krugor was one day watching ! ho lions m;\ travelling menagerie, when lie suddenly turned to the proprietor with the remark, "These lions are like Chamberlain ; they want lots ; take all they can get, never mind how much you have £iven them, and alt) most cool about it, too. "That's so," responded the keeper ; "and they'll get all that it's possible to get, great or small, and are never more quiet than when they think they're going to get most." " Dear me ; is that %of x commented Oom Pavil, a* hi walked away.