The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-10-22
MEXICANS NOT EASILY. SWAYED

| Spouse from either son or daughter
Efforts to trace them through the
banking house through which the draft
was sent to her have been fruitless,
\ the people at the bank announcing
that they would be glad to get in
touch with the son themselves as he
had small account with them, but
he seems to have disappeared. They,
heard he had moved from Brooklyn
to New York. The last letter which
his mother received from him and
which might have contained his new
address was stolen from her on the
ship, together with few other lit
tie possessions. In the meantime, she
sits patiently, with folded work-worn
hands, in the detention room, waiting
for the message that does not come.
There is nothing to do, signorina, =
she says, resignedly, with tears in her
tired old eyes, Il must go back
Pitiful are the little bundles of pa
pers and the drafts, usually for $25,
tied so carefully in colored hand
kerchief and buried deep in mysteri-
GUS recesses Of clothing, so that It
takes many minutes to bring them to
the light of day, when frantic, nerv-
Gus search is made for them.
And great is the scrambling to col
lect belongings scattered hither and
yon during the long weeks of waiting,
when the matron or Waterman comes
in and says, Get your things, you're
going out" Then applause rings
through the hall, and fresh proof is
given that human beings can be un-
selfish. Immigrants who were in tears
moment before, worn out nervously
by the uncertainty of the fate in store
for them, smile 'delightedly at their
lucky companion, hands are banged on
the tables, cheers are given and the
departing alien leaves amidst the
clamoring good wishes of those left
behind. The analytical may point out
that the reason for this demonstration
is renewed hope caused by the admis-
sion of one of their number, but I like
to think it is pleasure at another's
good fortune.
However, if one is often saddened
by heart-breaking scenes, amusing
things happen as well, that help to
clear the atmosphere and cause a
laugh to go around.
"Where Is My WifeW
Recently an Italian came over to
meet his wife who had been detained
in the hospital. The names of the i'm
migrants were being called out and
he crowded closer to hear. Suddenly
his wife's name was called and
woman stepped forward out of the
crowd. The Italian sprang toward her.
La Mia moglie!" (my wife,, he cried,
and clasped her fondly in his arms,
kissing her again and again until he
was breathless. Then he held her
off at arms length to feast his eyes
upon her, and as he did so, an express
sion of CONSERVATION came over his
face. "Dio mio!" he shrieked. "Nonc
e la moglie!" 1t was not his wife.
Without SO much as "scusi" to the
poor woman whom he had been kiss
ing so violently, he thrust her aside
and charged down upon one of the at
PENDANTS demanding the proper shar-
er of his joys and sorrows. But even
instances such as this have their pa
thetic side.
A smile, a word in the aliens Ian
guage, a friendly pat on the Shout
der, do much to tighten the depres-
sion of the detention rooms, and one
thinks more of ones fellow human be-
ings, in noting that years of daily as
ISOLATION with similar scenes have not
dulled the senses nor hardened the
hearts of the matrons and attendants.
They are as disturbed and sympathet-
lie over some of the cases as if these
were something unusual in their line
of vision and not the routine of ev-
cry day. They have many things to
try their patience, but l have never
seen them fail to rejoice at the good
fortune of an alien or to express a
really sincere regret when disappoint-
ment comes and the one seeking ad-
mission is debarred. 1t is not a pleas
ant sight, the long lines of those about
to be deported, their pitiful bundles
beside them, their shoulders dropping
| in WEAKNESS and disbursement,
their eyes filled with tears. The laws
excluding them are just and right,
and necessary for, the protection of
our country. but it seems a pity that
some way cannot be found of stopping
them on the other side, before they
have sold out all they possess and
started on the long yOvapa aorocS tho
ocean. '.''f'''