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Immigration/ Westward Expansion
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Separatation
My sister, Molly, and I had finally made it to Ellis island. We had traveled here from Ireland for land of our own and not of landlords (also to escape our abusive brother). I heard Molly say, "Maeve, hold my hand." I grabbed her hand and covered one of my ears with my free hand. It was quite noisy that day. I stopped and looked up in awe of the castle-like building of Elis island. That was when a group of Italians ran through the crowd and I let go of Molly's hand. I couldn't find her after. -
Living on the Streets
After finally moving to America, I couldn't find a place to live. No one would accept my money because of my Irish background. I also couldn't find a job that would accept me as an Irish immigrant. Times were tough. I couldn't find a poor house that wasn't full. So I stayed on the streets, sleeping in alleies, in different cellars, and abandoned ware houses. -
Finding Work
After weeks of searching, I finally found a job that would accept Irish immigrants. This job was in a clothing factory that was mostly made up of women. Although I had finally found work, there were still downsides to this job. My boss was too drunk to think most everyday and he took all the "big money" for himself, which left me taking one silver coin home every week. I also left work everyday with bloody fingers from working with all the pins and needles. The job was hard, but it was worth it. -
Getting a New Home
It had been a few years and I had made enough from the factory to buy clothing and food for myself, but not a plce to live. One day when I was in a shop, I met the women who worked there. We had a long conversation until she asked me if I would like to stay in the attic of her and her husband's home after hearing of my homelessness. From then on, I stayed in their attic. I was provided food, clean clothing, and blankets. We never disturbed each other. I would go downstairs only to go to work. -
Land Racing
I had finally made it to the west to get land of my own. I had quit my job, said a tearful goodbye to the kind woman, and moved west. The homestead act had given me hope. I had bought a horse as soon as I got into town. The next day I geared up at the starting line and had my horse run with all it's might when it was time. We had run for miles and I feared here wasn't enough land left, until I saw a little pacth of tall, green grass in the distance. I knew that I was destined to have that land. -
Becoming a Farmer
After leaving the life of a factory worker, I had to find a way to make money. I used all my previously earned money to go into town to buy supplies like wood, nails, bricks, paint, chicken wire, stakes, and seeds. I quickly went to work, with the help of two of my neighbors. In the end, we had completed a barn, a house, an acre of fencing, and a perfect area for my crops. I was ready for farm life. -
Hit by a Tornado
The day before, there was a fierce storm that had hit our little area in the West. It had blown down my barn and a third of my fence. I had to call over my neighbors to help me rebuild both, which we had accomplished in a week. There were many other downsides tot his event. My cow, Bessie, ran away so I had to leave for two days to go looking for her. I also had to use all the money I had earned from my last harvest to pay for damages. -
Run Away
I suppose after the tornado had hit, we hadn't repaired the fence well enough. I feel this way because my horse, Magpie, had just run away. I was quite upset about this since Magpie was the horse that had helped win my land. The good news was that my harvest funds were able to help me yet again. So I traveled back into town (which was quite far away from my farm) and bought a new, younger horse. I've been hearing rumors that people have seen Magpie, but they're just rumors. -
Flooding
It was finally spring and the snow was melting. The only downside to this was that the melting snow was causing great floods. My farm unfortunately fell victim to this. The rushing water tore up my crops completely some overflowing and others getting swept away in the current. 2. The power of the water knocked down my fence and made the wire rusty, so I was forced to rebuild the following day. The worst result of this was that I was now a month behind when it was harvest season.
