Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-14
Famous Russian Jewish Writer to Lecture

Mary Antin Is comlngl Mary Antin Is
oomingf thrills the hearts OF Russian
Jewish immigrants. these days. Espo-
ciaIly is this true OF the younger genera
ton OF immigrants now IN the public
SCHOOLS. Teachers report that they are
beseiged with requests from this portion
Of their student body. seeking to know
more Of the visit OF their celebrated
countrywoman. and asking II It Is pos
sible for dear teacher to arrange an
interview with the famous author for
them.
II Is known that many a teacher has
quietly slipped some Of her pupils
tickets for tho Mary Antin lecture, which
will - given at the First Methodist
church. March 20, knowing that only at
a sacrifice could the child afford TO hear
the well-beloved author Of 'The Prom
ised Land ana They Who Kaock at
Out Gates" .
oh, il I could only shake, the hand
OF her who has so faithfully depicted
the struggles of the Immigrant pas
sionately exclaimed Max Gotsdiner, H.
year-old Russian Jewish immigrant. who
cherishes a newspaper clipping photo
graph Of Mary Antln. II feel as II
know her. Since reading her books. her
face Is ever bsfore me. 1 want to thank
her for her true picture of our struggles
and aspirations, came in his hating
EngIIah.
Sarah Rfinkin. whose life story
parallels that of her famous country
woman. and whose birthplace was
vitebsk, In the Russian Pale OF Settle
ment. neighboring town to Mary Ahtin's
birthplace, Polotsk. is also consumed with
desire to meet the great author
To vitebsk came Mary Antin on her
very first journey from her native viii
lage. At that time she discovered that
the Dvina river, which flowed through
her own Polotsk slso ran through
vitebsk, and It Is on the banks Of this
stream that Sarah Miakin's parents and
Mary Antin's uncle lived. It was this
uncle that Mary Ansin visited on the
memorable occasion which forms the
opening chapter Of The Promised Land.
the publication of which brought her Into
the iimelight as the author Of one OF the
celebrated books of the decade.
''lt Is because understand my history
in its larger outlines, that consider 1t
worth recording. Although l have wr IT.
ten q genuine personal memoir, believe
that its chief interest lies IN the fact that
It is illustrative of scores of unwritten
lives" writes Mary Antin in the intro
duction to her volume. In the answering
heart throbs Of millions OF her CORE
lgionists has she been accorded her
highest tribute.
The story Of Max Gatsdiner is full OF
pathos and untold hardships. The chi-
mination came recently in an attack OF
the eyes which threatened total blindness.
brought about by eye strain in studying
ana physical overwork. Although In this
country but three and one-half years.
having been brought here through the
good agencies of an immigration society
in the Same manner that Mary Antin
and her family were brought to America,
Max q in the tenth b grade at the Cen
trial High school. and would have been
Junior by this time but for his recent
iIlnesa
Max plans to consecrate his life to thu
cause OF humanity. II ask myself. why
does = man liver Does he live foI
beauty, Joy, education, 70 do good OF
just to iive7 found the latter TO bs
especially true. Many live without ans
idea As to why they live. So runs awaj
their life without anything good being
done. Others live 70 dress up and 9th
ers for education. But many OF them arr
educated just for themselves. Good deeds
make men great
This is an extract fro mthe rough
manuscript OF his own autobiography, Z
work Of unusual merit and deep interes
and pathos, which he thinks he win i'm.
prove in later years and publish, Ii
The Promised Land"
II want to write, but not for money
only for the enjoyment Of my people