Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-07-20
STORY or 4 FRAGMENT OF REAL
LIFE as PORTRAYED IN A
REW STAGE PLAY.

Showingthe Operations Of the Immi
grafton Law as IL Affects Those
who Attempt to Enter the Ameri-
can Portals.
An hour ut 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 outlandlsh boxes and bundles still
about him, Is eternally interesting.
His meetings and partings are full Of
a childish exuberance and abandon.
He is never so picturesque or SO
pathetic as when he has just doubt
fully lntrusted himself to the great
machinery Of a new land and law.
He hasn't been much on the stage
this lmmlgrant-but a fragment of his
life finds its way there in a one-act
play called 1.-THE Land OF the Free,
by w. G. De Mile, which was seen re
Gently at a Vassar Aid Society matt
nee. It is described by the Times as
simple little story, one that happens
day after day.
In a room of the bi9 immigration
building, with its desk AID 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
bright holiday handkerchief is knot
ted about his throat. His eyes are
keen and expectant. Evidently 1t Is
great day for him. 1t needs little
encouragement from the goOd-natured
officer to bring out the whole story.
A big Mediterranean steamer Is just
landing its steerage passengers. Luigi,
as he peers through the gates at the
incoming crowd, is almost beside him
self with delight.
81 walta three year." he explains,
breathlessly. II worka vera hard and
l sava de money to bring to me my
Maria and my two little ones"
He can hardly wait for the gate to
be opened. But the officer has more
to find out. His questioning brings out
further details. Luigi earns so week
with his pick and shovel. The wife
is not strong. She speaks a little Eng
fish. The officer looks doubtful, but
says nothing.
Then all at once the boat Is In.
The Italian catches a sight Of them
through the gates.
INA, ma, Signore, she comea last,
She getta lame back and two baby.
Ah-Dio! Maybe she missa da boat
All! Vedete Maria mia Ecco-Vedete
ecco-Ah mia moglie-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 GodP'
To which the Americanized Luigi re-
spends:
Isl, 81, carrissima, but now talka
English. We all good Americans and
we live in Mulberry street. gotta da
little room for my Maria an Fabio an
Tessa."
Maria marvels at Lulgi's great sal
ary-45 lire until Luigi is forced to
explain:
ayes, yes; in Neapoli it is As lire
but in New York it is only 50, not sc
muche."
Then in quick, excited phrase be
draws roseate pictures Of future II
which peanut stands and prosperity
walk hand in hand.
Presently the officer returns. HI
draws Luigi aside His face is kind
but his words are terrible. 1t appears
that the little wife does not come up Il
the requirements. She is not healthy
She has no money, and Luigi has onl!
that 50 a week. 1t is not enough Il
support a family. The wife must G,
back to Naples. 1t is hard to MAKE
Luigi understand. Maria, hearing
nothing, plays happily with the chill