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Riis, Jacob A., 1849-1914

"The Making of an American"

I saw a tired and lonely old man, to whom my heart went out
on the instant, and I went right up and shook hands, and told him
how much I thought of him and how sorry I was for his losing his
wife, the Queen Louise, whom everybody loved. He looked surprised
a moment; then such a friendly look came into his face, and I
thought him the handsomest King that ever was. He asked about the
Danes in America, and I told him they were good citizens, better
for not forgetting their motherland and him in his age and loss.
He patted my hand with a glad little laugh, and bade me tell them
how much he appreciated it, and how kindly his thoughts were of
them all. As I made to go, after a long talk, he stopped me and,
touching the little silver cross on my coat lapel, asked what it
was.
I told him; told him of the motto, "In His Name," and of the labor
of devoted women in our great country, to make it mean what it
said. As I spoke I remembered my father, and I took it off and gave
it to him, bidding him keep it, for surely few men could wear it
so worthily.


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