Potchefstroom
20.5.1903
Dear Lee
This is a noble country to work in. We’ve had a holiday every week for the past month and there’s still another next Monday.
Thursday week Sir A Lawley, the Lieu. Governor, visited the town. An old damsel who has taken a fancy to me took me with to the reception at Vijf-Hoek and I was introduced to his nibs. The honour was very great and I felt there was nothing left in life to desire. The feeling only lasted for a short time though. The pangs of appetite made themselves felt and we retired to the refreshment marquee and we stowed for half an hour.
The chief was down here from Head Office and has ordered all sorts of improvements at the hostel. It’s to be entirely re-furnished & we’re to have a tennis court and a vegetable garden. Besides which they’ve supplied us with an extra "boy." He made his appearance on Friday & is quite remarkable in the way of looks. The clock stopped when he looked at it & it hasn’t stirred since. The improvements will be a work of time and as my term is only three years the chances are they won’t come in my time.
We went to the races last Wednesday. An Australian horse won the big event and was sold the same day for 350 guineas. There was a dance the same evening which was awfully good. Quite the biggest they’ve had in Potchefstroom. The Governor was expected but he didn’t arrive till next day. This town is improving in a marvellous way. Swarms of new buildings & they’re about to lay on electric light.
Gold has been discovered quite near on the farm of a man I know. Three companies are fighting for the mine but he won’t sell tilll he gets his own price. The old villain will be a millionaire I expect.
I’m doing some private teaching now. There’s an old damsel living here name Reid-Bell who owns a couple of kids. Well when Chamberlain was in town he happened to speak to one of them. Since then she won’t let them mingle with the common herd so she pays me to give them private instruction. They’re only here for a short time unfortunately so I’m making the best of it while it lasts.
Tab’s piano has arrived and music is the order of the hour. She plays divinely – the cat. She can do everything.
Our house was turned into a hospital last week. Tab’s pet man, a great lout named Campbell, got tipped out of his cart. They bought him here unconscious & here he remained for nearly a week. The whole household nursing him. The doctor said he had concussion of the brain. My private opinion is that he hasn’t brain enough to get "concussed."
He’s better now and went forth into his labour yesterday with a scar rakishly over his left eye & his thumb in a sling.
I don’t love the creature so can’t feel as sorry for him as I ought. There’s a new teacher about to join the happy family at the Hostel. Hope she’s decent but there’s not much hope as she’s a Cape Colonial.
I was awfully sorry about poor old Wainwright. He was a nice old boy.
Good bye
Love to everybody
Margaret
The oranges are getting ripe. I live once more.
