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The Arrival at Ellis Island
I, Mario Matino, came to America because the land in Italy was too expensive for me. I came aboard the "Windbreaker", and after 137 days, I arrived at Ellis Island. I was 25 at the time. I decieded to come here for better oppertunities and it was much more modern here. -
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The American Life of Mario Martino
This is how I, Mario Martino, from Italy lived and experienced America. -
A Factory Job
Once I arrived, I needed to find a job. I found a job in a weapons factory. Th job was not the best. It was for a low wage for long hours. The working conditions were dangerous. One mistake could kill us all. But after all of that, America was still great. THere were many job oppertunities for me and the night life was exciting. Only, there was too much violence in New York. -
Moving West
In 1867, I finally decieded to quit my job and moved west. The Homestead Act was like a miricle for me. FREE LAND! I was born to go west. I also heard the jobs there were paid better. Besides, New York got too crowded for me. -
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Working on the Railroad
I tried to find a job, but it wasn't easy. I finally found one working on the transcontinental railroad. It was a good paying job and I was allowed a couple of vacations, so I went for it. -
Racing For My Home
During my first break, I realized that I needed to get a home. On August 5th, 1867 I participated in a race for land. I got a nice piece of land near a stream and suitable for farming. I built a house.After 3 weeks, I got back to work. -
My Moving Family
After hearing about my great stories,my family decieded to move to the United States. After almost 4 years, I met my family. My mother and my siblings came. They saw my house and hugged and kissed me. The next day, I showed them my land. THey absoulutley loved it. -
Moving Day
After a while, my land started too get crowded, so my brother, his wife, and my mother decieded to move. They went even further west to California. We write back and forth alot though. My land has gotten quieter since they left. My sister and keep on farming though and hope to have the best farm in the whole west, or even the whole country.
