Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 May 1908 — COMPLIMENT FROM THE HEART. [ARTICLE]

COMPLIMENT FROM THE HEART.

Longfellow Appreciated the Praise of English Workingman. When Longfellow was in London, Queen Victoria sent for him to come and see her at the palace. He went, and just as he was seating himself in the waiting cpach after the interview, a man in working clothes appeared, hat in hand, at the coach window. “Please sir, yer honor,” said he. “an’ are you Mr. Longfellow?” ”1 am Mr. Longfellow," said the poet. . ~ 1 ~'" 1 .; r “An’ did you write the ’Psalm of Life?’ ” he asked. “I wrote the ‘Psalm at Life,’" replied the poet. ' “An’ yer honor, would you be willing to take a working man by the hand?” Mr. Longfellow gave the honest Englishman a hearty handshake. Later, in speaking of the incident, he said“l never in my life received a compliment which gave me more satisfaction.” The “Psalm of Life” has been translated into 15 different languages.