Was One Great Large Fool

1910

German Applicant for Citizenship Gives His Opinion of Subject of Polygamy

Herman Selferth, a wood turner from Germany, was among the first of a score of applicants seeking "papers" from a federal judge in Kansas recently. Herman had been in America seven years, and his conversation, albeit a trifle warped, was quite understandable.

So it was with no great effort that the judge and others understood Herman solemnly to assert that liberty was the capital of Missouri and that Abraham Lincoln was the first president of the United States.

So far, so good. The questions of law and morals proved a bit more difficult.

"What do you think of polygamy?" the assistant district attorney inquired.

"Vot iss?" parried the examinee, puzzled.

"Polygamy — polygamy," the interlocutor repeated. "Do you believe it is right, proper and lawful?"

Herman was stumped. There appeared to be no word in the lexicon of the Vaterland that sounded enough like polygamy to give Herman even a false start. The judge ventured a hint.

"What do you think of a man that would have several wives at the same time?" the court asked.

That was easy. Herman looked vastly relieved.

"Oh," he rejoined, positively. "I think such a man would be one great, large fool." And the court was so well satisfied with Herman's moral attitude and right intent that the "papers" were forthcoming despite the applicant's minor inaccuracies in history and geography.