The sun., 1901-07-07
Uncle SANS ROOF GARDEN.
,xvyGRayrs PICTURxs0UK AND HAPPY
on ELLIS ISLAND.

On. old Mother Msds Happy-swaddied
B.bie,-Music and Daacias as Might.
New York roof gardens have multiplied
a. the sands Of the sea, but this summer
has brought out new one which for pic
o,rsaueness and practical benefit ID ahead
~ any OF It's rivals. In q moment Of in
.n,ration, the architects Of the new Ellis
Island building made plans for large roof
Garden. at the north and south ends Of
The main structure. and the plans were
carried out,
The north roof which adjoins tho offices
has so far. been reserved for the officials
of the Immigrat ton Bureau. although 1t
~lll bo used for the immigrants II needed.
Tn. south roof, opening out from the de-
tn,ion quarters. has been turned over
10 the immigrants and has improved con-
dt,iors tremendously, though. during tho
recent soorching weather the roof was,
during much OF the day. too hot even for
the Italians. Armenians and Greeks.
The indoor detention quarters on the
island are comfortable. compared with
the old pens at the Barge Ofiice. but the
International mixture that pours from
q
months can make even large and airy
roorns unspeakabls places. Even the
bree2es that blow over the bay sometimes
Wre,.ls in vain with the smells IN ut cling
20 the roof garden crowd. but there ors
better chances OF sanitation and health
IN the open air than within closed walls,
and save when the heat Is excessive there
are always cool corners on the roof.
In course Of time. when the Govern
n,.,nt mills which mike the mills OF the
gods seem hurried in their grinding grind
out the requisite money. there will be big
awnings o|er the roof garden. and then
the place Will De serviceaple IN all hours
Of the day.
ASIDE from the comfort II gives to tho
immigrants, the Ellis Island roof garden
has another excuse for being. II adds.
Immensely. to the scenic effect OF the immi-
grant crowd. and would win gratitude
from any artist. Indoors. even the most
the general misery and squalor; but put
her ont in the strong white light, with
the sunshine flickering over her brown
face. and striking brilliant reds and blues
and orange from her kirtle and kerchief
AMI head dress, with background OF sun
warmed brick and stone. and blue water
and bluor sky. the picture is quite different
thing, and poverty becomes picturesque,
as it Is in the woman's own Italian land.
There was a superb Italian woman On
the roof one day last week. a woman TO
delight the soul OF An artist and stir the
pulses even of an unssthetic men. She
was taller than most of the men around
her, and had a figure cast on heroic lines.
yet supple and 1.-THE as reed and limiting
nj swift energy. The face was sun-kissed
10 deep rich brown with golden high
lights. and was the sombre, handsome
face of a tragedy queen. with strong,
clean-cut Roman profl>, full red lips: belied
4, ol,ta obi
head under masses Of purplish hair and
gloomy, magnificent eyes that held posi-
b,lites Of violent anger. Every pose the
woman took was finer than the last. Every
expression that crossed her face added
TO its interest
s1id the inspector who was standing on
the roof garden steps with SuN reporter.
shes too fine 10 be real One feels as II
she were behind the footlights and made
up for the part.
The woman turned on her bench and
looked at the inspector Her eyes were
sullen, bur when he levelled a camera at
her, sudden light flashed into the for
bidding face. and geGm Of white teeth
parted the red lips. The other Italians
feu back. though evidently longing to be
In rho picture. They recognized the wom-
ans right 10 attention, and she herself
realized that the picture was tribute 10
her beauty She rose and s,oOd against
the wall, with pride in every line OF her
splendid figure and woll-posed head. and
n certain insolent serenity in her pose,
but with the glow Of fattered vanity
still showing through the tragedy in her
face
Shes been here a week" said the in
srprtor as he closed his camera. Goes
back Saturday"
"Dcported?" asked the reporter
"los She has 10 husband and there
vii oc child soon Her mother Is in this
country and would take her. but has no
money and could not support the woman
AMI child That means two public charges.
and the law says No SRc doesn't know
yet that she is to be sent back, ! can't
say tha. | covct the Job of the man who
puts her aboard ship. If there isn't a
lively scene In no Judge Of faces
Thera wero dozens of otner Italians on
the roof Old. young, middle-aged, hand.
some. homely. but all picturesque ard
galy dressed Three q the women. one
mcrn slip Of a girl. he'd tiny bambini on
their Knees. and the poor LITTLE mites, ''ghilv
sTa idle! and bound in heavy woollen
cloths, looked ont OF hot crimson faces. with
sOlsmr questioning eyes, but made no muir
mur %! complaint.
How old |. III" asked the reporter, look
Ing down az the smallest bambino.
Six weeks" answered the girl mother
proudly.
why ilpn you uUN NV lllOSf anu
cool tAe poor little thing off?"
Horror and indignation we're pictured on
tne face u the mother and the older Italian
women standing near. One old lady, eli-
den'iy the grandmother. seized the baby
AMI ratroated 10 a safe distance. appar-
emily -uspsctiEg the visitor OF designs
upon thA oabys well being
BIT no II would be DEATH chorused
The women
r.rErln .mother Joined group Of very
o. women who We're occupying a bench
in IA 'nady corner All Of them were brown
api wi'Lerel ard gnarled, but We're
dt"s'-i IN say colors and their black ewes
gssm'i IN their wrinkled old faces. With
IN. 0r y.ouChHble yOarh OF the Italian
sYrl' Italian bodies may fail, but the
Flut7 ke'o, his child heart To the lss,.
Oas Old woman In brilliant purple petit
cut. ,"'rl-oI head dress and orange ker-
chl't y rocking back and forth ami sob
hGg 20 : Vurt, unimpasSioned fashion.
Otn.~s 80 with closed eyes and dumb
pll"0'" N1me goSsped as ctCeTfully
a. 4! they were gathered together In the
LJf" i.aca Of their homo village or IN
u" io'rrlr~ o. their old homcs
nn, woman whose little black face was
eTH'u'i by white hair and who wore
snowy .t! and kcrchief which made her
Y "dd among her companions flaming
."S So quietly. with her eyes intently
nX"l 4rou Tho "pe ming In the roof. through
NhNf. now and ageln, appeared the blue
ca td p"rsplrinG face OF an immigration
ofom' Whenever he head came into view.
sT'.. hoy, ia Nr.d IN the keen eyes under
y" white hHir and whiter cap, but tho
l'te"'l lady Did not stir She only waited.
~ 4 Z p-t t,i fn lu az