The Greeley tribune., 1906-07-19
BACK TO NAPOLI.
STORY OF A FRAGMENT OF REAL
LIFE As PORTRA YED IN A
NEW STAGE PLAY.
ShowinRthe Operations of the lmmi
grafton Law as 1t Affects Those
who Attempt to Enter the Ameri-
can Portals.

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 Il new land and law.
| He hasn't been much on the stage
this immigrant-but fragment OF MS
life finds it's way there in Il one-act
play called 1.-The Land of the Free.
by w. G. De Mile, which was seen re-
Gently at Vassar Aid Society matt
nee. 1t is described by the Times as
a simple little story, one that happens
day after day.
In IL 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, ana
Il bright holiday handkerchief is knot
ted about his throat. His eyes are
keen and eXpectant. Evidently 1t Is
a great day for him. 1t needs little
encoura cement from the good-natured
officer to bring out the whole story.
A big Mediterranean steamer is just
landing it's steerage 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 ali'
! sava de money to bring to me III.
Maria and my two little ones.
He can hardly wait for the gate t.
be opened. But the officer has NOR
to find out His questioning brings ou
further details. Luigi earns 50 wee
with his pick and shovel. The VIII
is not strong. She speaks little Eng
lish. The officer looks doubtful. bu
says nothing.
Then all at once the boat is i,
j. The Italian catches sight OF thet
y through the gates.
Ma. ma. Signore, she cOInea las
She getta lame back and two bab!
Ah-Dio. Maybe she missa da boat
All, vedete Maria mia Ecco-Vedet
e ecco-Ah mia moglie-ecco!
u In another instant. the frail litt'
a w. e, in her Neapolitan costume, an
e the two children, with their bags an
d bundles. ARE all in their fathers arms
t while the officer goes off to make hi
i report.
e With her head on her husband
y shoulder, Maria brefthes in Italian:
e "Ah. my husband! l see you again
g thank God.'
e To which the AmericaniZed Luigi re
spends:
1 Isl. 81, carrissima, but now talk;
+ English. We all good Americans ant
!. we live in Mulberry street. l gotta d'
!. little room for my Maria an Fabio an
] Tessa.
e Maria marvels ut Luigi's great sal
, ary-i5 lire until Luigi is forced t
:. explain: H.
"Yes. yes: in Neapoli it is 40 lire
9 but in New York it is only 81. not sc
: muche.'
l Then in quick. excited phrase ht
, draws rosente pictures of Il future II
/ which peanut stands and prosperit!
walk hand in hand.
, Presently the officer returns. IL,
draws Luigi aside. His face is KIND
but his words are terrible. 1t appears
, that the little wife does not come up te
/ the requirements She is not healthy
!. She has no money, and Luigi has only
, 1hnt 50 a week. 1t is not enough tt
, support Il family. The wife must =;
, back to Naples. 1t is hard 10 max.
, I.uici understand. Maria. hearlne
nothing, plays happily with the chll