The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1907-12-13
A WAVE TOSSED WAIF

The New York World of Dec 18th
says:
IL determination. to become an
American is a praiseworthy ambition,
little Benjamin Axelrod, II years old,
is worthy of all praise. Six times he
has come to America as a stowaway.
Six times he has been deported. Re-
Gently the lad arrived in sight of the
Statue of Liberty for the seventh time
The officials at Ellis Island recognized
him and greeted him as an old friend
Also. they will continue to send him
back. unless some one comes to the
lads assistance. But little Benjamin
is not discouraged.
Benjamin Axelrod is a little. under
sized Jewish boy. He was born and
raised in the little, understood town
of Pechunka. in the little. understood
Russian province. of Podella. There
were many other little Axelrods at
home and not always did they have
enough to eat re-.
To Pechunka. in Podelia. there came
stories of great land beyong the
seas, where prosperity. abounded, and
where even little boys were able to
earn more copecks than full grown men
In the land of the great White Car.
In that great land-so ran the tale
no one went hungry to his bed. There
brown bread and dried fish were I'M
known as steady articles of diet and
wonder of wonders-all folks ate
bread If aNerx- meal
such tales appealed to the starved
stomach and the active brain of little
Benjamin. He would become an Amer
lean. He would make his sisters fine
ladies and his brothers rabbis. He
would make a home for his father and
mother i'm that great land of peace and
plenty-that land where none are per-
secuted because they cling to the faith
of their fathers.
"'Resolutely he set his face toward
the setting sun. With a hamper of
food on his back he truged across
Lithunia. Prussia. and other strange
lands. 10 Rotterdam. No obstacle was
too great for little Benjamin. Where
strong men would have failed. he sue
ceeded. He slowed himself away in
the hold of steamer. and after the
ship had left port volunteered to earn
his passage as a dishwasher.
AT Ellis island the determined lad
found his first real difficulty. He had
no money, no friends or relatives to
vouch for him. Therefore-so spake
the stern official who represented the
strong arm Of the law in great Ameri-
ca-therefore Benjamin AxelrOd must
60 back to Pechunka.
The boy was placed on returning
steamer bound for Rotterdam. If any
thought. however, that he would Sc
easily give up his mission. they reck-
oned without Benjamin ANelrOd- a
few weeks later the Ellis island Of
fetal saw the homely eager face of lit
tie Benjamin AXelrod. Again he had
slowed himself away Again he had
earned his passage a a dishwasher
Again the official hardened his heart
Again he said. go back 10 Pechunka.
Again Benjamin went back, but not 4
Pechunka. Arriving at Rotterdam, h
boarded the next Americana bound
steamer. How he eluded the keen eye'
OF the ships men who had been warn
ed to keep a sharp lookout for little
understood Jewish lad, is known onl!
TO benjamin. Perhaps. since the DO!
has become an expert dishwasher an'
is a willing and able worker. the ships
officers are not aVerse to his presence
In any event little Benjamin continues
TO come back. Thirteen times he ha
crossed the Atlantic in the last few
months Back and forth he goes.
human shuttle-cock between Rotter
dam and New York. where the .tatu
of Liberty blazes a welcome-to thos'
who have the price"