Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-02-12
COURTESY REWARDED.
A Swedish Divine's Views of
American Hospitality.
:e Wits N cline and Goes Back to
hrs own Country and Sneers a
the Attention shown Him,

A recen, event among the Swedish
American citizens of Moline was lecture
by Rev. P. Waldenstrom. an eminent
Swedish divine, making tour of this
country. Mr.. Waldenstrom was shown
marked attention in Moline by Americans
as well SIS fellow countrymen of the dis
tinguishei visitor He WAS to spesk
more particularly TO the Gustaf Adolph
people, but their church was not large
enough and the Congregational church
was placed at the disposal of the speaker
aud his audience. 1t. too. proved insd-
eQuate in its accommodation for sll the
people who wished to honor the great
man, aud hundreds stood around the
windows upon the outside, seemingly
anxious to catch every word that fell
from his lips.
The distinction shown Mr.. Walden
strom, however, seems TO have very bsd
effect upon him indeed, for when he re-
turned to Sweden be wrote and published
a book. the title of which is, Through
North America, United States From
preface to finish he reflects the dissstis-
faction he feels over his journey through
the states. When he refers to Moline it
is in biting sarcasm. 10 say the lesst. BE
speaks sligh,ingly of the Swedish Amer
leans, and 10 some instances ridicules
them, and this in return for the open hos
pitslity extended.
The Journal of that city has secureds a
translation of portion of that which he
says referring to Moline:
Il arrived at Rock Island al 100, snd
no one was there to receive me- Our
friends there had made q mistake as to
the time of arrival. After eating dinner
we wsre invited BY wealthy American
named Csdy. 10 take a drive on the so>
called government island. 1t is q very
pretty plsce-there are number of mag
nifcent buildings. Ittook a long time to
drive around the island, as Mr.. Csdy
didn't drive very fast. was uneasy, as
was 10 preach in the evening, and
needed little rest beforehand. Bot !
didn't own myself any more. Ny Swed.
ish friends who rode in q carnage in the
rear were as uneasy as l was. After our
arrival in Moline, Mr. Cady drove Us to a
succession of American residence places
to permit me 10 view these. BE asked
me also If hsd seen HE interior Of 8
genuine American home. Luckily l
could say yes-oIherwise he would GER
tainly have taken me into one OF these
and occupied more Of my time. Mr.. Csdv
was very sincere msn and took charge
of The whole matter, and he arranged that
! should preach for the SWcdes three quar-
tiers of al hour, and by sn Interpretation
to the Americans three quarters of an
hour. After this, between 8 and 1890 q
reception for me should take plsce in the
church p3rlors. This programme he had
printed on cards with gilt edge and dis.
tributed in a large number throughout
the city. was not quite pleased with
this srrsr cement. ! therefore changed
the who'e programme. Ipreached TO the
Swedes alone one and half hours, and
until little after 8 O'Clock After the
discourse Mr.. Huffman sang. MI. Csdy
WAS uneasy shout the reception, but !
thought I had no: come to Moline for any
such ehtt rtalnments or receptions, but II
possible 10 be of some benefit TO the
Swedes. So none Of Us made any unus-
ual haste.
Nevertheless there was reception.
A large rumber of Swedes and several
Americans gathered in the psrlors con-
nec'ed with the church. After entering
We we're invited BY the young ladies to
take ice cream. After this it was the in
teution that should make speech and
thank them for the attention paid me.
AS l am not particularly interested in
such speeches did not say many words.
After simply stating the reasons for
changing the programme exl ressed my
gratitude for their kindness, adding that
should De more thankful IL permitted to
say good night and 60 home and retire.
But whsc was l to do? There is linii
m rnr nh ysiosl stroDCth