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Story
May 16, 1907
Marble Hill Press
Marble Hill, Bollinger County, Missouri
What is this article about?
Swedish immigrant Christ Nelson misreads the 'Return in five days' on his naturalization envelope as a personal order, leading him to awkwardly report to the county clerk's office in Portland, Oregon, only to learn it was a postal instruction.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THOUGHT HE WAS WANTED.
Swede Returned According to Instructions on Envelope.
Christ Nelson, having been in this country only a few weeks, was slow in learning American customs, and especially the inscriptions on envelopes. One of his first acts after landing in Oregon was to take out naturalization papers. On the corner of the envelope, in which were contained the documents that made him an American citizen, were the words: "Return in five days."
"Wal, I be har," he said yesterday, as he shuffled up to the counter in the county clerk's office and spoke to Deputy Prasp.
"What do you want?" asked that official, carefully noting the embarrassed flush on the Swede's face.
"Wal, it say on this har envelope 'return in five days,' and time be up to-day, so I ban come round."
When assured that nobody wanted him, he turned with surprise and walked sadly away, not certain whether he was naturalized or not. - Portland Oregonian.
Swede Returned According to Instructions on Envelope.
Christ Nelson, having been in this country only a few weeks, was slow in learning American customs, and especially the inscriptions on envelopes. One of his first acts after landing in Oregon was to take out naturalization papers. On the corner of the envelope, in which were contained the documents that made him an American citizen, were the words: "Return in five days."
"Wal, I be har," he said yesterday, as he shuffled up to the counter in the county clerk's office and spoke to Deputy Prasp.
"What do you want?" asked that official, carefully noting the embarrassed flush on the Swede's face.
"Wal, it say on this har envelope 'return in five days,' and time be up to-day, so I ban come round."
When assured that nobody wanted him, he turned with surprise and walked sadly away, not certain whether he was naturalized or not. - Portland Oregonian.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Biography
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Swedish Immigrant
Naturalization Papers
Envelope Misunderstanding
Cultural Confusion
Immigration Anecdote
What entities or persons were involved?
Christ Nelson
Deputy Prasp
Where did it happen?
County Clerk's Office, Portland, Oregon
Story Details
Key Persons
Christ Nelson
Deputy Prasp
Location
County Clerk's Office, Portland, Oregon
Event Date
Yesterday
Story Details
Newly arrived Swedish immigrant Christ Nelson misunderstands the postal instruction 'Return in five days' on his naturalization envelope as a summons for himself, prompting him to visit the county clerk's office after five days, where he is embarrassed to learn his mistake and leaves unsure of his citizenship status.