The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-12-02
ROSA.
A Granddaughter of the Ghetto.

l
had received an invitation in the fol
lowing words
You are cordially invited to attend
| the marriage of our daughter, Rosa
Schein, to Mr. David Schwartz, which
will take place in Electric Hall"
Much greater was the establishment to
| those who knew that Mr.. Schwartz was
a new conner, and a very religious man.
| What kind of match is be for
Rosa?" was eagerly asked by many, but
| in vain.
| Young people pitifully shook their
heads, the middle-aged smiled to them
selves, but all were surprised, and they
had good reason for it.
| Those who We're familiar with Rosa
knew how determined she was to carry
out her decision not to marry man of
the orthodox stamp, nor according to
| the Jewish rite. More than once they
heard her say. IT would rather die a
seamstress at the machine than give
| myself away like most Jewish girls do.
Am l not to expect more of married
life" she argued, than to be welded
under the ritual canopy, only to be NOR
ally confined to live with man who
would think himself master OF the
house. and that the woman is only
lawfully obtained slavd, whose duty it
ID to look after his comfort, to be his
wife at his pleasure, nurse for his chill
dren, and that he had right to insult
her whenever he willed?"
Here she began to tell couvincingly
how mature the time was for the young
generation to do away with the antedl-
luvian mode of being mated, and to ex-
pound a theory, which assured equal
freedom to both parties, as behooves
free civilized people.
She always became excited while thus
speaking. Her cheeks were suffused
with crimson, her eyes cleaned with
fire, and her girl listeners, who Intended
to marry after the Mosaic law, gave her
reproachful looks and dropped their
heads in silence
They felt shame for her. but did not
dare speak against her, because they all
thought her a bright vlrtuous and in
telligent girl.
Rosa was nice looking; a plump.
graceful figure, wealth of blond, silky
hair and a pair of light blue eyes which
impaired dreamy look.
She was very young, but in spite of
her youth she was respected for the
good common-sense she possessed.
Her parents, good orthodox people of
the old world, did not concern them
selves much about her talk.
Never mind" they consoled them
selves, when she grows older she will
change her mind and get married like
her mother and grandmother did"
Rosa did grow older-more 80 than
they expected--in the next six years.
All this period she passed miserably
in dirty sweat-shop, working hard
twelve hours daily for starving wages
during strikes slack time
and trials with contractors for her I'M
paid earnings
Day after day, while working, she
was obliged to listen to the deafenlng
noise of the sewing machines. She had
to stand abuse and insult from the fore
man. Her figure changed into that of
most working girls, slim. with fiat
bust long face and pale cheeks. The
eyes, the light blue eyes, now impaired
a melancholy look to her face She be-
gan to lose courage, and although she
|
self to the contrary. Bitter thoughts Of
ten flashed through her mind. Once the |
thought of leaving the Ghetto and going |
away into the open world to live as 1t |
an advanced person, present |
I'D itself to her; but after few mo-
ments of converse with herself she de-
,ided to remain at home and to let mat
ters take their own course
And as she thus reflected there APP |
peared before her mind the horrible |
sweat shop, with all its ugliness on one
old weeping mother on the |
other; and her own drawn out face, |
which had turned from hosy hue into
4 death-like palor, filled her cup of woe.
She felt the hardships of the progressive
young generation. She began to realize
why some of her acquaintances, who
,nce thought as she did, finally gave up.
Meanwhile her parents, uncles and
aunts were not wholly inactive. They
argued with her, but to no avail.
Rosa at times left the house in order
% avoid those parental sermons" as
,he called them, or silenced her anita
,onsts by counter arguments, which
hey could not overcome by clear rea-
oning.
They had an excellent match" for
Ter In view; a young man we'll known
o her father, and who was willing to
marry her without a dowry.
Her parents now impatlently awaited
lucky hour to speak to her, and
eemed it opportune on one hot, scorch-
ng day, when Rosa returned home at
er hard days work, her shirt-waist
lamp with perspiration, her hair loose
Ter face sweaty; and soon after she
Gated herself her mother embraced her
enderly, and with heart-rending appeal
Headed with her: please, Resale. !
ave mercy upon yourself and your old
mother; don't be obstinate. Why
hould it not be my lot to delight in my
bids welfare? Resale, dear child"
he could not speak another word; the
ears choked her voice. Rosa shivered
With her whole body as in chill. She {
rooped her head and did not reply.
Thank Cod said the father in a {
wv, but glad voice. 1
On the following day invitations were Y
emit out to all their friends and &C {
requesting the pleasure of
heir company at Roses wedding. I
The Electric Hail. was dimly light :
d, but taxed to it's full capacity
There was a most conspicuously
liked gathering of people, old men