Last week my burglar went to the Haddocks

Kimberley Club,

Kimberley.

November 28th 1898

My dear Raymond & Joe

Last mail brought me no letters from you. Something must have gone wrong & hindered you from writing. I can't write a long letter this mail. The air is hot, close, moist and full of suppressed thunder. Such a day it has been! Hot is no name for it. The locusts are still about and more millions of myriads of them are on the march making straight for Kimberley. Lovely rains fell last week and the grass is begining to show up all over. This morning as I lay in bed a jolly friendly Cock–a–vick came into the front garden — (there must have been two of them) and sang his old familiar song "Bok–bok makiri" – "Cock–avick". It was very pleasant to lie with the sweet morning breeze pouring in at the open French Window & hear that simple old song again.



I say Mr OMeara yesterday & he said he was waiting patiently for a letter from you both. Raymond he says when he hears you are coming out he is going to train — so look out!!

Last week my burglar went to the Haddocks. He climbed into Gumpie & Dick's room by the window and pursued the same tactics as he did in his visit to me. He rifled the pockets of all their clothes, stole a watch and all the money he could lay hands on — there was not much and the watch was a cheap one — and left the clothes lying in a heap on the floor. Gumpie & Dick slept sweetly all the time!

I have heard nothing about my watch yet and don't suppose I ever shall. A Merry Christmas & happy New Year from your loving father
Frank Mandy