Potosi journal., 1909-11-10

call for charity in that term, and
the word would become absolete.
That lesson in fine sentiment
may reach us from on unlocked for
and lewly source was demonstrat-
ed in pleasing little human in
terest story that appeared in the
St. Louis papers one day last week.
Paul Joseph Reps, a Russian i'm
migrant, came to St. Louis some
years ago to make his home there.
He was one of that class who is
swallowed up in the great mass of
toilers, of whom no notice would
ever have been taken were it not
for the fact that he had ideas that
would look good coming from
higher up in the social scale. Reps
on arriving in this country was
imbued with the thought that to be
an American citizen was something
to be proud of, and while he work.
ed and built up comfortable
home for his family, he dreamed
of the day when he would become
a sovereign in his own right. He
filed his application for natnraliza-
ton and eagerly awaited the time
when be would be made citizen.
That day came last Friday. As
the day approached he cast about
for a means to celebrate the occa.
sion in manner that should give
fitting expression of its meaning
to him. This demanded something
better than a day off from work to
be spent in carousing with boon
companions, Paul Joseph Reps
had other notions. He was evi-
IDENTIFY reader of the papers, and
read there of certain lady, nigh
up in the social scale who had
reputation for patriotism. She is
the daughter of long line of
Americans and First Families of
Virginia" and in her Paul Joseph
saw his opportunity. So to this
lady he sent the following appeal:
Dear Lady-Might be it is
strange that l do dare to appeal to
you for counsel, etc. But you will
forgive me and give coed advice
when matters are explained. /
write to you because l haye heard
of your great patriotism, original
ideas, etc., and | think that you
will best understand me than any
else.
On or about November 5 | ex-
pect to get my full naturalization
papers. 1t already cost me S12.
l want to be a good patriot. good
citizen, and this event in my life
want remember and have as some
thing great. Old Russia for me
are dead. Is it possible for $40 or
$l5 for me to hear in respectable
manner and place, to hear once
singing America" 'Banner of
Country" or other American pa
triotic song and even accompanied
by fine music2
We think it very bad and dis
grace as mostly Immigrants in
such event, induced by politicians,
to take naturalization, drink much
beer, use bad language and fight.
This struck its recipient as
something worthy of investigation,
and her inquiries showed that the
writer was sincere and deserving
of encouragement in giving his ac-
cession to citizenship demonstra-
ton that would reach something
of the magnitude Of his estimation
of such an honor. She therefore
enlisted the aid of a number of her
high society friends, procured a
suitable hall and summoned Paul
Joseph and his family to be pres
ent, and with patriotic songs and
music celebrated the occasion with
an enthusiasm that inspired the
fine company as we'll as the hum.
BILE guests. Perhaps the society
ladies felt that the affair was
merely a novel diversion from the
usual routine of their daily lives.
but the lesson it bears comes not
so much from their part in the
celebration as it does from the high
patriotic sentiment IN the breast of
Paul Joseph Reps that inspired it.