Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-01-01

must prove that they come within the
laws governing their admission to the
United States of America Among
those who were transferred from the
vessel to the island was Il young wo-
man, who gave her name as ELSA Vo-
gan and her age as Twenty-Five She
stepped from the lighter that bore her
to the dock and looked about her as IL
expecting some one to meet her; but,
seeing no one she knew, her express
sion OF expectancy changed to ono Of
disappointment Passing with the
throng into the apartment where emf.
grants present their claims for admiS-
sion, Elsa was brought before an ofi-
cial for examination.
"What means have your? he asked.
"Only few silver coins left over
after paying for my passage"
How do you expect to live here in
American"
~ came over here to be married. I
expected to meet Mt tho dock when
landed the man who will marry me,
but he did not appear"
The official asked the mans name
and where he lived. Elsa told him
that his name was Jean Stahren and
that he was an ironworlser In Penn
sylvania, but what place in Pennsyl-
vanin she could not tell him.
Elsa was told that she might remain
on the island for few days, but IL
at the end of that time her lover did
not appear she must be sent back to
Hamburg, whence she had sailed.
This was terrible blow to the poor
girl, for she knew that there was some
reason why Jean had not met her,
which might not be corrected within
so short time.
Fortunately 1t was summer, the end
of August, and Ellis island, surrounded
as 1t is by water, was not a disagree
able place to wait Dlsa gazed out
over the bay, wondering at the gigan-
tic statue of Liberty, at the skyscrap-
ers Of lower New York, at the Brook
Ign suspension bridge and at Castle
Williams on Governors island. A day
passed, and Jean did not appear. An
other day went by and still there were
no tidings of him, The third day was
Sunday, the LIST of September. Elsa
was called before one of the immigra.
ton officials and informed that a
steamer would sail for Hamburg the
next day and IL she could not satisfy
the authorities that she would not DO
u burden on the United States before
that time she would be sent back to
Germany, whence she came.
Elsa was in agony Jean had sent
her the money for her passage, at tho
same time telling her to write him the
name of the steamer on which she
would sail, promising to meet her on
the dock when the ship arrived, She
had written him the name Of the
steamer, but, not being versed In the
ways of the world, had not mentioned
the date Of its arrival, though she had
said that she expected to sail about
the last Of August. And now, after
having waited seven years to be unit
ed to jean and having come all the
way across the Atlantic ocean for the
purpose. she must go back to Ham
burg
That Sunday was sultry afternoon,
and Elsa in order to get cool sat on
the dock gloomily looking out over the
waters of the bay. She saw little
steamer leave New York and make for
the island. Boats were coming often,
and she had looked when each had ar
rived for Jean. But now she had CIV
en- up hope. When the boat reached
the dock she scarcely noticed those
who came ashore. But a man passed
near her, stopped and looked at her
scrutinizlngly.
"Elsar' he exclaimed.
: She arose and for moment did not
recognize Jean, for he wore full
beard.
"Oh. Jeanp she cried "Why have
you not come beforer
/ "IIow long have you been hereT
Three days"
"a supposed you would come on the
steamer thnt is telegraphed to be hero
presently"
Elsa had little education, and she
had written the name of the ship on
which she would sail SO badly that
Jean could not read 1t. He had there
fore judged Of the time of her arrival
from the date she gave and conse-
quently fell between two steamers.
But he wasted few words In explana-
ton.
Come, Elsa" he said. I'VE must be
married at once, go to New York and
leave for my home in Pennsylvania
on night train. Tomorrow will be
Labor day, and l am at the head of
the committee of arrangements for my
union and have much to do"
So Jean and Elsa we're married on
the island and left there at once. 1t
was past midnight when they reached
their home, cottage near a steel
works where Jean was employed.
Though 1t was late, Elsa found time
to admire the cozy home that Jean
had prepared for her.
The first day Elsa spent In America
was Labor day, and though she saw
little Of her husband she saw one OF
the most important celebrations of the
new world.
Jean Stahren became master me-
chanic, and, having wife who was
a good manager, they sent monthly re-
mittances 10 the old folks In Norway
and after awhile made them a visit.
But by this time they took with them
several children to introduce to their
grandparents.