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N.H.F.W.P.#1801 Julia M. Sample
Chapter 7
MAY;2 1939
subject: Living Lore
HERE WE CAN BE GLAD
At last the day had come! To -night Katherine would go to the
court house and be examined for her final citizenship papers. She
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was not only glad but confident. A friend of thetrs had loaned her
the questions he had been asked. He had taken out papers in Chicago
and had somehow managed to obtain a oppy of the questions. These
questions had been passed around to all his friends until now the
paper was grimy and about to fall apart. Every day Katherine asked
herself the questions,
"Who makes the laws in the country?"
"Who makes the laws in the state?"
"Who makes the laws in the city?"
"What do you call the head of the country? What is his name?"
"What do you call the head of the state? Who is he?"
"What do you call the head of the city? What is his name?"
"How long do they hold office?"
"Who are their helpers?"
"Why do you widh to become an American citizen?"
And so on and on.
"Yes, me know, me know everything on paper. Take long time to
answer last question. Me just say so I can voter
The money was ready too, seven dollars. One for her picture,
one for the man who writes the answers and five dollars to the U.S.
government. Same as before seven dollars for first papers. She had
managed to save this amount from her earnings. "Good, money all
ready, my money."
It was three years since she had received her first papers. It
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seemed a long time. But it was more difficult to learn now than when
she first came to America. Katherine thinks," Only one year school
in Poland country.No have time to go school in America. Work in mill
all day, come hometwork all evening. Washolean,iron,cook, care for
leetle children. Too busy -go to school."
She sighs with relief,"No more school. No more long words. No
more ,'Now Katherine you read the next page.' or 'Now *Katherine you
take the next sentance on the board.'
Those sentances on the boardl Katherine could see them ,one under
the other. The strangetnew words always tied her tip inside. The teacher
was so quick, he spoke so loudly her ears ached. It seemed that the
less she understood the new words the louder he spoke. Sometimes the
Crayon would snap as he vigorously tapped the words on the board. When
this happened she never knew anything.
Of course it was a fine thing to go to school. To be to-gether,
all learning. Their concerted efforts would help each one obtain his
papers. Katherine was very proud of herself, nevertheless she was glad
not bo go anymore. She stretched herself at the thought. For two
years, nearly every week, she would sit for two hours in those chiles
dren's school seats. The parish school only had seats for children.
The men never could find a comfortable position for their legs and feet
and the women appeared stuffed into the seats.
Katherine smiles7One man,foony, no sit down. All time stand upl
One lady sit in front,without desk. To+at, me and Inother lady pull
her out seat, first time come." She laughed aloud at the remembrance.
"Everybody stiff, everbody double up,everybody glad to walk home."
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At last Katherine could join the Polish -American Citizens elub.
True, she had often been there to dances, as a guest. She had gone
with the rest of them into the Hall, had sat down at the round tables,
had had her beer and highballs with the rest. She too ate the little
fish, made of pretzkt dough and the good sausages. The first time
she had felt a little odd about this drinking. She thought of Jan,
how unpleasant he was after drinking too many whiskies and beer. Look-
ing EMI around she could see no one acting like Jan. As no one
ever acted like Jan she gave up thinking about the matter.
They were never in the Hall more than an hour 'before they heard
the orchestra's music. Up the stairs they went to the dance. Once
in that hall everone stayed. "No one go out get drink, come back.
except when say so,
If go out,t4iset in again )must pay money." There was really no need
for leaving, dressing rooms for "Ladies" and "Gents" were conveniently
placed at the side of the musicians' platform.' Everyone stayed.
Since they started drinking at seven and dancing at eight an
intermission was deL9lared around ten thirty. Then they once more
croned into the smoke filled bar -room. Once again they fortified them-
selves. Four men back of the bail three men on the floor kept every-
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body filled and satisfied. Theil seemed perpetual motion, not a moment
did they stop. Nor did they collide with the patrons Aor each other,
nor did they drop a tray or drink. Katherine watched it all and loved
it. "this is freedom, this America, everybody gladl"
That had been very pleasant and lots of fun but now she would
be 41emberof the club. Now she too could take friends to banquets and
dances. She too could wear a uniform and march in parades. She hoped
there would be a parade soon. he had tried on a friend's outfit and
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she knew it was very becoming to her dark vivacity.
"Organization clothes pretty. Shoes,dress, gloves all white.
Cape all bright red, cerise, white inside. Cap cerisettoo." Katherine
could scarcely wait to wrap herself in the silk folds of that lovely,
flowing cape.. Then the badge she could wear! As large as a silver
dollar. Engraved with the name of the organization and its insignia.
Om side XXX bright, the other side in black. Katherine kne+hat that
was for, "Wear black, somebody die. Geeve them flowersoplenty flowers.
Go to funeral, march, wear black Jaw side." Always this idea com-
forted her. "When die pay one hundred dollars and.geeve flowers, plenty
flowers."
Katherine belonged to other organizations She was president
of the um at her church, and very activd in the others. "To be a
member of the Citizens' Club had been her ambition for many years.
This had been a big incentive for her to study for her papers. Of
course she wanted to vote and of course she wanted to be equal to Jan.
It would be a glad day when she heard Charlotte, Frances and Henry
say to the neighbor' children,"
is an American citizen."
Of course my mother is voting. She