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Immigrant Spirit: A story for Independence Day Nancy Goff, former Metcalfe County stylist, song writer, entertainer and story teller, is best known for her down-home stories, including her delightful book, "The Adventures of Slump Thacker." The story below, one befitting the most important patriotic holiday of the year, is an example of her wonderful prose. -CM. By Nancy Goff "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,These are the words etched upon the Statue of Liberty. The noble lady,a symbol of liberty and freedom from oppression, has held her lamphigh on the shores of Ellis Island since October 28, 1886. PresidentGrover Cleveland graciously accepted the statue, given to the UnitedStates of America by France. In his acceptance speech he was quoted assaying, "We will not forget that liberty has here made her home." As a testament to that statement, over twenty-five million immigrants,passengers, and crew members entered New York Harbor between 1892 and1924. They came here from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Southernand Eastern Europe, even Canada. Most of them traveled in over-crowdedboats. Many became ill along the way. Some died. They came with littlemore than a dream; The dream of a bright future for themselves andtheir families. Some came without families, facing life in the new world alone. Thetrip to America was expensive. Often, only one family member couldafford the fare. The rest remained behind in their home country. Theirplans: To make good in America, save their money, then send for thefamily later. Thus was the case of Edward Lombardi, a young handsomeimmigrant from northern Italy. Coming to America had been Edward's life-long dream. He arrived in NewYork Harbor in July of 1911. He traveled many long and treacherousmiles while on his journey; leaving behind his aging parents and sevensiblings. As the youngest son of a middle-class Italian family, he hadbeen expected to remain near his parents in their older years. Yet, hehad chosen to leave his homeland to seek his fortune elsewhere. With the equivalent of twenty-five U.S. dollars in his pocket, he lefthis home near Milan; first traveling by railway to the port of Genoa(Genova), then by boat to New York Harbor. The ship set sail June 15,1911. Edward was assigned a room in steerage at the very bottom of theboat. The room was crowded. Bunks were stacked one on top of theother. It was very uncomfortable. Edward spent as much time aspossible on deck. The language gap made it difficult to make friends. The only Englishwords he knew were: Hello, goodbye, yes, no, please, and thank you.These he learned from a young French lad named Pierre', who wastraveling to America with his parents and younger sister. Pierre' was a bright young boy. His mother was part Italian - partFrench. His father had been in America for the past two years,establishing a home for his family. His return trip to Italy was forthe sole purpose of bringing his wife and children back to Americawith him. Pierre' could speak both French, Italian, and English.Edward and Pierre's family became best of friends. The trip was long and extremely dangerous. Just off the coast ofAfrica, the ship encountered a fierce storm . The ship was tossed likea rag doll atop huge waves. Fear swept through the passengers likefire raging through a dry and desolate forest. People huddled togetherdeep within the ship's hull, keeping their families close, fearing theworst. Edward faced the storm alone. Total darkness blanketed the faces ofthe people around him. Ever increasing bolts of lightning providedonly the slightest glimpse into the fear in people's faces. In thatsplit-second of light, women and children could be seen screaming.Yet, their screams were drowned out by the crashing of the waves onthe side of the boat, and the loud rumbles of thunder all around them. Later in the trip, people began to get sick. Influenza ran rapid. Allaround Edward people were coughing, running high fevers, and moaningin pain. So many people fell ill the only doctor on board becameexhausted himself while caring for the sick and dying.Edward was one of the lucky few not to get sick. He readilyvolunteered his services to help the others. Many long nights werespent going from cot-to-cot, replacing cold compresses on the feverishheads of those who were sick. The worst cases were the small childrenand the old people. Babies with dangerously high fevers lay limp andlifeless in their mother's arms. Old people were coughing so hardEdward feared they would loose their breath and die. Just short of their journey, Pierre became ill. It started as a coughand runny nose. Soon his fever began to rise. Edward called for thedoctor. "Does your body hurt?" the doctor asked, holding a stethoscope to theyoung boy's chest. "No," Pierre' replied. "But my throat is scratchy." "Hopefully, it's only a cold," the doctor told his parents. "Try tokeep him warm. Give him plenty of water to drink. And keep a coolcompress on his head for the fever." Edward helped his young friend as much as he could, even giving himpart of his food and water rations. After a few days Pierre' beganfeeling better and asked for permission to go on deck. Edward agreedto accompany him. The sky was clear, the sea calm. Edward felt as though he'd been inthe bowels of a prison for weeks on end. It was good to breathe themoist, salty air again. It made them both feel renewed. As they werestanding on the bow of the boat a voice rang out."I see her! I see the Statue of Liberty!" Edward and Pierre' shaded their eyes with their hands, straining tosee her, too."I can't see it," Pierre cried. Edward grabbed Pierre' under his arms, hoisting him up on hisshoulders. "There!" Edward shouted, pointing toward the westernhorizon. "I see her!" Pierre' shouted happily. News spread quickly. People emerged from inside the boat, crowding therailings, eager to get their first look at America. Cheers erupted. Itwas a joyful time, indeed. The big ship anchored at mid-bay. Smaller boats tendered thepassengers to Ellis Island. With only a single bag in hand, Edwardjoined some five-to-six thousand people crowded inside the building.He'd never seen so many people in one place at any given time. Peoplewere everywhere. It was hot and miserable but he was elated to finallybe on solid ground. As soon as possible each passenger was given a medical exam. Those whowere extremely sick were immediately put back on a boat and sent home.Others, were detained on the island until they were better. Immigrant officials asked questions to everyone. "Where are you from?What did you do for a living in the country you're from? What are yourfuture plans for living in this country?" Once the paperwork wascomplete, they were loaded onto a ferry and transported to New YorkCity. Edward passed the medical exam, answered the questions, and was givena departure number, which they pinned to his coat. While he wasawaiting his turn to leave the island, he saw Pierre' and his family.Edward was excited about going to the mainland. As Edward approachedhis friends, he could see they did not share his excitement."Why the glum face?" he said to Pierre'. "The doctor says I have to stay behind until my cold is better,"Pierre' answered sadly. "My father must get back to work. My mother isweary and needs rest. They will have to go on without me. But, I'mafraid to stay here alone." Edward could see the fear in his young friend's eyes. He wanteddesperately to plant his feet on American soil. But how could he,knowing Pierre' would be alone and afraid. "Don't worry, Pierre'. Iwill remain here with you until you are well. Then we will go to thecity together." Pierre's father thanked Edward for his kindness. Edward and Pierre'watched as Pierre's father, mother, and little sister walked down thelong gate to where the boats were docked. They waved a final farewellas the boat on which they were riding left Ellis Island and crossedNew York Harbor to the city. While Edward and Pierre' waited for the okay to leave, Pierre used thetime to teach Edward more of the english language. By the time theywere allowed to leave, Edward was able to speak enough English to askdirections, inquire about a job, and find a reputable eatery. Late one evening, five days after their arrival to the island, Pierre'was given a clean bill of health. He and Edward boarded a ferry thevery next morning, just as the sun was beginning to rise. As the ferrypulled into the dock at New York, Edward looked back over his shoulderone last time.The sight of the huge statue, her torch held high, made his heartswell with pride. Any doubts he'd ever had about coming to Americavanished. He was in the land of the free, home of the brave. He wouldmake his parents and family proud. He would work hard. Soon, he wouldbring his family to America, too. Pierre's family greeted them at the dock. After hugging his son,Pierre's father turned to Edward. "I have good news, my friend. I gotyou a job at the same place I am working. The starting pay is fair,but with time you can work into something better. You can stay with usuntil you are on your feet." Nearly half of all Americans can trace their family history back to atleast one person who passed through the Port of New York. The fartherback that history goes, the less, we as Americans, appreciate what ourancestors went through to get here. The spirit of those immigrants,their need for independence and self-worth, and the determination tosucceed, was and is the foundation on which America has become thegreat nation it is today. The writer of this short story, Author Nancy Bone Goff is a native of Alabama where she lives now with her husband Gary, daughter Linda and grandson Dalton. She writes for Down Home magazine and enjoys children, animals, southern cooking and country music. On of her outstanding works is "The Adventures of Slump Thacker" is published by Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC. The book and audio book can be purchased online at most online bookstores including Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and on the tate publishing,com/bookstore. You can also google "The Adventures of Slump Thacker" and it gives any number of websites where the book can be purchased. This story was posted on 2008-07-05 04:01:40
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Saturday, July 5, 2008 at the Adair County Fair (ADV) Extra nice items priced to sell everything must go New Life will sponsor One Step weight plan Russell Co. Yard Sale Concept victim of own success: It sold out Obituary: Wanda Gaskins, 58, dies after brief illness Jones Chapel Holiday Cookout is Sunday Dr. Phil Aaron Medical Center open 8-11:00amCT July 4, 2008 Remembering Delphus Frankum: July 8, 1930 - June 30, 2008 Glens Fork, KY soldier graduates at Ft. Bragg, SC KSP Trooper Greg Brown promoted to Trooper First Class View even more articles in topic News |
 
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