West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-07-12
BACK TO NAPOLI.
SIORf or 4 FRAGMENT OF REAL
LIFE As PORTRAYED IN A
NEW STAGE PLAY.
Showingthe Operations OF the Immi
grafton Law as it Affects Those
who Att, mpt To Enter the Amcri-
can Portals.

grafton Law as it Affects Those
who Att, mpt To Enter the Amcri-
can Portals.
An hour ut Ellis island I'm New York
harbor, is full or smiles and tears.
The newly arrived Immigrant, before
he has changed his native garb, with
his outlandish boxes and bundles still
about him, is eternully interesting
His meetings and partings are full OF
n childish CXuberance and abandon.
He Is never so picturesque or 80
pathetic as when hc has just doubt
fully intrustcd 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 i'm one-act
play called THE Land OF the Free"
by w. G. DE Mile, which was seen re-
Gently at a Nassar Aid Society matt
nee. IL Is described by the Times as
simple little story, one that happens
day after day.
In room of the big immigration
building, with It's desk and it's blue
coated official. an Italian workman
walks eNcltcdly up ana down. His
clothes are cheap and poor. but they
are plainly not his working garb, and
u bright holiday handkerchief Is knot
ted about his throat His eyes are
Keen and eXpcctant. Evidently IL IL
n great day for him. IL needs little
encouragement from the good-naturcd
| officer to bring out the whole story.
n big Mediterranean steamer Is Just
landing it's Storage passengers. Luigi,
ns he peers through the gates at the
Incoming crowd, Is almost beside him
self with delight.
II waita three year." hc explains,
brcathlcssly. II worka vera hard and
| saNa de money To bring To me my
Maria and my two little ones"
He can hardly wait for the gate 10
be opened. But the officer has more
To find out. His questioning brings out
further details Luigi earns 50 Il week
with his pick ana shovel The wife
IL not strong. She speaks n little Eng
lish. The officer looks doubtful, but
snys nothing.
Then all at once the boat IL I'm.
The Italian catches n sight OF them
through the gates.
INA, ma, Signorc. she comea last
She getta lame back and two baby
Ah-Dio! Maybe she missa da bout
All! Nedete Maria mia Ecco-Vedetc
ccco-Ah mia moglie-eccor'
In another instant. the frnil lltt!c
WlIc, III ncT NeupOlltln costume, AMI
the two children, with their bags ana
bundles. are all I'm their fathers arms.
while the officer goes off TO make hs
report
With her head on her husbands
shoulder. Maria breathes in Italian:
'Ah, my husband! l see you again,
thank Godw
TO which the Americanlzed Luigi re-
spends:
Isl. ST, carrlssIma, but now talka
English. We all good Americans and
we live I'm Mulberry street. I gotta dn
little room for my Maria an Fablo an
Tessa"
Maria marvcls Mt Lulgi's great sal
ary-iJ lire until Luigi Is forced 10
explain:
YES. yes; I'm Ncapoli It IL 40 lire,
but I'm New York IL Is only 50, not 80
muchc."
Then In quick. excited phrase he
draws rosente pictures OF future IN
which peanut stands and prosperity
walk hand I'm hand.
Presently the officer returns. He
draws Luigi aside. His face IL kind
but his words are terrible. II 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 80 q week IL Is not enough to
support family. The wife must 40
back 10 Naples. IL is hard TO make
Luigi understand. Maria. hearing
nothing, plays haDDily with tho chill