The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1908-09-10

| 1888 even IL Ec Has Out NIty cents
Though the amount required is tw,
| lo!lars."
| Over by window we see an O.
woman, her face haggard with sus
)ense. Her son, who sent her pas
nge money, has not yet appeared tt
claim her, and she has been here
Ehree days. A place to sleep ant
good food are provided for such a.
,he, but these things cannot satisf,
he needs of the heart, and hou,
.fter hour her strained gaze is fixet
- the skyline of the city, tall build
ings.
rs we turn to leave, an official ap.
bears with a list of names in hi:
| land. Immediately he is surround
| I'd by throng of anxious men anc
women. "Phi!omena Geracci
Michael Godowsky! Heinrich linn
| lsadore Rosenbaum A graceful,
iark-eyed Italian girl, a Polish lad,
a fat, comfortable German, and an
ancient Jew with his little grandson,
come eagerly forward. and pass
through the door. We follow them
70 another room enclosed by wire
grating.
A door opens and the young Italian
we had noticed on the Battery comes
in. No interpreter is needed to tel
Why he is here. Philomena, with I,
;ry Of "Giuseppe!" rushes TO the
grating. The two are talking ST
fast and excitedly that their words,
airy t!ip Oh each others heels.
Ne cannot understand what they
say. but the light that never was
N land or sea- is shining il tnai.-
:yes.
She is his sweetheart from Ma
oles," explains the Inspector. He
las his marriage license all ready
md they will enter New York this
Afternoon as Mr.. and Mrs. Giuseppe. !"
We do not wait to see the others
:laimed Dy their friends, but hasten
n to a room where Board OF
Special Inquiry is holding session.
This is the last tribunal in the weed
ng out process. excepting the right
IF appeal to the Commissioner Of
the Port and to Washington.
Before the desk stands a well
ra;s:.e.., good locking German youth
# nineteen. He has twenty dollars
and ticket to Golden, Colorado,
where a position has been secured
for him with his uncle. But, as it is
contrary to the contract-labor law to
obtain work before coming to this
country, he has been detained.
Occasionally we understand a
phrase or two as the Interpreter
questions him. "Schreiben und
lesen sie?' "Yes, l read and write -
AS the decision Of this Board is not
ABSOLUTELY final, there is chance
that he may escape deportation.
Another German, who was offered
position by his cousin before leav-
ing the Fatherland, is also before
the Board. His wife, with the most
enviable red cheeks, sits near, sur
rounded ty her brood of six.
How much money have you?' is
one Of the questions.
"Drei hundert thalern," is the
answer. On hearing this the good
frau breaks out into shrill torrent
Of low German and fumbles at the
front OF her dress.
"One at time" speaks the in
terpreter, ''and you needn't show
your money"
The red. checked lady subsidies.
Would you be wiling" comes
the question to the husband, Ito
take another position if it were Of
fered you -
ga, ja," is the eager reply.
"All right, let him pass, IS the
decision of the Board, and the little
German family marches out happily.
Before we leave we look into the
room where a crowd is waiting to be
depo.ted. 1t is a dreary lot-harc-
ened criminals, few who are ply
sically and mentally defective, and a
goodly number OF contract laoorers.
Poor wretches! They have seen the
promised land, but are not allowed
to enter. We are glad to leave tnem,
and again feel the salt air OF the bay
blowing in our faces.
On the little island bevond. sill
houetted against a rrddy sunset,
stands Liberty with her upllfted
torch, proclaming freedom, not only
to YOU and me. but to the thousands
from foreign lands who throng our
Each year they come in greater
numbers, driven by persecution ana
h,,ncar attracted by the lure O1