Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1898 — In the Hands of Strangers. [ARTICLE]

In the Hands of Strangers.

For various reasons the Boers have lost their lands, and it is a bitter cry that is being raised throughout South Africa that these lands are .passing into the hands of strangers, and the erstwhile landed gentry of the country are face to face with the dread alternative, “work or starve.” They accept it because they must, but under pretest. The Boer’s daughter will not become a domestic servant, except on condition of hawing her meals with the family. “If my child is not good enough for your table* she shall not live in your house,” said a father. A poor woman withdrew her son from an oflice because he was learning some duty which she denied menial, and, “thank God,” said she, “my family never yet did any slavery of that kind.” A gentleman whom I knew secured employment on the railway for a young fellow as porter. On the very first request of a passenger to lend a hand with luggage he replied indignantly, “What do you take me for? Do you think I am a Kaffir?” These poor folks cannot forget that they once had farms and were, independent. For two centuries they, compelled the service of a lower race, ! and now they would rather starve than work “like a Kaffir.”