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My Birth
My name is William Douglas. -
Father Leaves
Father left us when I was just three years old. He left to find work in America. He is saving up his money from his job, and is gonna mail it to us so we can immigrate over. He got a job working on skyscrapers. -
The Start of a New Life
It was a clear sunny spring day when my mother, sister and I left from Liverpool, England. It was now the spring of April 1887, and I had just turned nine. I was now boarding the giant RMS Carpathia. We were heading to New York City to meet up with my father and our new life. -
The 20th Century Pioneers
After 11 day at sea we were in the port at Ellis Island. The view of Lady Liberty was magnificent, and the whole deck stood in awe as we passed. We had to wait a day and a half on the ship to get on the island. There were thousands of people there, and all speaking different languages. I was half terrified of the physical. It was painful but only for a few seconds.Then a push and I was off with my mother and sister to the kissing post for my father who was waiting. -
Getting a Foothold
It has been a year since my mother, sister and I had arrived in America and I have already found work. I'm now ten years old. I am a store clerk at Green's Pharmacy about two blocks away from our tenement. I also have a Newspaper post I run in the mornings. -
"Boss Tweed"
I overheard my Mother talking about an important man today. I think his name was the "boss" or something Tweed. Anyway, she was going on and on about how he is stealing from everybody, and keeps on winning elections somehow. -
Father Falls
Yesterday, father was blown off the top of a skyscraper when he was working. Momma is very depressed and won't get out of bed, so my sister has to do all of the house chores. Momma say's when she is better she is going to have to find a job.
