The Delta independent., 1906-07-20
BACK TO NAPOLI.
STORY OF 4 FRAGMENT OF REAL
LIFE is PORTRAYED IN i
NEW STAGE PLAY.
Showingthe Operations Of the lmmi
grafton Law as 1t Affects Those
who Attempt to Enter the Ameri-
can Portals.

An hour at Ellis island in New York
harbor. is full of smiles and tears.
The newly arrived Immigrant. before
he has changed his native garb. with
his outlandish boxes and bundles still
about him, is eternally interesting.
His meetings and partings are full Of
childish eXuberance and abandon.
He is never so picturesque or so
pathetic as when he has just doubt
fully intrusted himself to the great
machinery of new land and law.
He hasn't been much on the stage
this immigrant-but n fragment of his
life finds its way there in one-act
play called The Land of the Free"
by W. c. De Mile. which was seen re-
Gently at a Vassar Aid Society matt
nee. 1t is described by the Times as
a simple little story, one that happens
day after day.
In room of the big immigration
building. with its desk and its blue
coated official. an Italian workman
walks eXcitedly up and down. His
clothes are cheap and poor. but they
are plainly not his working garb. and
a bright holiday handkerchief is knot
ted about his throat. His eyes are
keen and eXpectant. Evidently ii *
q great day for him. 1t needs little
encoura cement from the good-natur.d
officer to bring out the whole story.
y big Mediterranean steamer is just
landing its steeraGc passengers. Luigi.
as he peers through the gates at the
incoming crowd. is almost beside him
self with delight.
Il waita three year" he explains.
breathlessly. Il worka verra hard and
sava de money to bring to me my
Maria and my two little ones"
He can hardly wait for the gate TO
h. opened. But the officer has more
10 find out. His questioning brings out
further details. Luigi earns 50 a week
with his pick and shovel. The wife
is not strong. She speaks a little Eng
lish. The officer looks doubtful. but
says nothing.
Then all at once the boat is in.
The Italian catches 4 sight of them
through the gates.
Ma. na. Signore. she comea last.
She Getta lame back and two baby.
Ah-Dio! Maybe she missa da boat
All, Nedete Maria mia Ecco-Nedete
ecco-Ah mia moylie-ecco,'
In another instant. the frail little
wife, in her Neapolitan costume. and
the two children, with their bags and
bundles, are all in their fathers arms.
while the officer goes off to make his
report
With her head on her husbands
shoulder. Maria breathes in Italian:
'Ah, my husband. l see You again.
thank Cod
To which the Americanized Luigi re-
spends:
Isl. 81. carrissima. but now talka
English. We all good Americans and
We live in Mulberry street. l gotta da
little room for my Maria an Fabio an
TesSa."
Maria marvels at Luigi's great sal
ary-i5 lire until Luigi is forced to
explain:
Yes, yes; in Neapoli ii is 10 lire.
but in New York 1t is only 50. not so
muche."
Then in quick. excited phrase he
draws roseate pictures of future in
which peanut stands and prosperity
walk hand in hand
Presently the officer returns. He
draws Luigi aside. His face is kind,
but his words are terrible. 1t appears
that the little wife does not come up to
the requirements. She is not healthy.
She has no money, and Luigi has only
that 50 week. 1t is not enough TO
support a family. The wife must 80
back To Naples. 1t is hard to make
Luigi understand. Maria, hearing
nothing. plays happily with the chill