The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1903-09-05
KING OSCAR II.
His Keen Interest in Kindly Nature Of
His People.


His People.
American correspondents who visit
Sweden never tire of writing about
King Oscar II. Though he can be as
imperious as his imperial highness,
Wilhelm II. on occasions, he is ordi-
variably extends the glad hand" to
journalists. The correspondent of the
Pittsburg Gazette tells very charac-
teristic story which he prefaces by
his personal opinions regarding the
king:
king Oscar of Sweden has a most
interesting personality. Tall, well
built and handsome, in youth he must
have been the ideal fairy prince of the
children's fairy tales. Possessing
also a clear, well-trained mind, and
benevolent, gracious nature, he is the
fittest of rulers for people them
selves at once simple and intelligent,
kindly and shrewd.
That he is universally beloved and
respected goes without saying, and he
returns in full measure the affection
of his subjects.
He has many plans for their ad
vancement, is an enthusiastic patron
Of literature and the fine arts, and ever
ready to assist all worthy industrial
enterprises.
He is particularly anxious that MS
people should stand well in the estima.
ton of other nationalities, and once re-
marked:
my people may not be as artistic
as the Italians, nor such deep students
as the Germans, nor such thorough
going business people as the Ameri.
cans, but firmly believe they are the
best, the kindest, the most thoroughly
polite people-with the politeness that
comes from the heart and is not
mere veneer-on the face of the
earth"
The question he oftenest asks of
strangers is, do you find my people
kindly?"
And it is the sign of his own gentle
nature that he values this character
istic so highly.
He is the terror Of unjust judges,
for the poorest and humblest of his
subjects may appeal personally to him
for redress of their grievances.
A case of this kind occurred not long
since.
A very poor peasant was drawn into
a difficulty with neighbor, which in
volved the loss of everything he pos
sessed on earth. The matter was
brought before the resident judge who,
taking offense at what he considered
the disrespectful demeanor of the
peasant, decided the case against hN1,
although justice was clearly on his
side.
The man at once. set out on foot
for Stockholm to lay the matter before
the king.
After tiresome journey Of three
weeks he reached the Swedish capital
and presented himself, ragged and
travel-stained, before King Oscar. The
kings words were Observation-Disclosures
"How dare you appear before your
sovereign in this condition." but, my
man, you look tired and hungry. Go
with one of my servants and get some
food and rest for awhile, and then
come back"
Tile poor fellow, almost fainting
with hunger and fatigue, was led away
to a. hearty meal and comfortable
couch, returning refreshed and laid mis-
case before the king, whose brows
darkened in the hearing.
1.-THE matter shall be thoroughly in
vestigated, and, if you have told the
truth it shall go hard with the judge.
Here is money to pay your way to
your home and provide for your tenn
porary wants."
The matter was probed to the bot
tom and the Judge suffered a heavy
fine and imprisonment, with, Of course,
the loss of his position.