The Immigrant

Dear Zawhea,

           What a voyage I had! I cannot begin to relate the entire story in writing. Yet I will give you some details, so you might have an idea of what I experienced. My cabin was clean, small with a porthole, and I was able to sleep comfortably. A few days after we left Marseilles, I heard that the head chef needed extra help. I met with him and soon I was working. The job kept me busy and gave me extra liras, or, as they say here, dollars. I worked side by side with several men from other countries and mainly served dinner in the first-class dining room. One day, though, I helped serve tea to the ill passengers in steerage, so I was able to see their living arrangements. They slept in large rooms on cots, in very dark and dingy quarters where the air was still and stuffy. Families from the same country stayed together. If you make the voyage—which I pray you do—please purchase a first-class ticket. Very few of us traveling in first class became sick.

           We had such a celebration here on July 4, the American Independence Day. There was a picnic and a parade with a band. The day ended with all the townspeople singing “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” with cannon shots in the background. That day I understood the joy people have about their freedom and the democracy of this country. It was then that I began planning to become a naturalized citizen.

           Anthony and Sadie are very kind to me, and their son Tony is like a little brother. I am happy here with my work, and I enjoy the community of New Salem. Each morning I awake looking forward to new opportunities.

           I often think about Amina’s wedding and the dancing. It is a wonderful memory of our last time together.

Salaam,

Saddo

November 22, 1905

Dear Zawhea

I received your letter. I am relieved to hear that you and your parents are well.

June 4, 1907

My dear Amina,

           Umm wrote about Zawhea’s husband. I have enclosed a letter to Zawhea. Please give it to her for me. You knew I was sad about her arranged marriage, and now I would like to be in touch with her.

Salaam,

Saddo

Dear Zawhea,

           Umm wrote to me about the death of your husband. Please know that I am sad for you. She told me about your little boy, Mitelj, and that soon you will have a second child.

           Ever since the Abrahams had a baby girl—an event that made little Tony very happy—I have rented a small home of my own. You would like it. There is a parlor and small kitchen. My bedroom is comfortable. There is running water and a small bath area. I try to make my home like my umm’s as much as possible, and I am even cooking with Syrian spices. (You would like my malfouf.) I found some bright pillows with gold and blue at the market to adorn my couch. People from my church helped me when I moved. They gave me dishes and cooking pots, and now they busy themselves trying to find me a wife. Yet none of the women here interest me.

           Zawhea, you know that I understood and respected your marriage. However, there isn’t a woman I have met who would please me more than you would. I know it is too soon for you to decide. As time goes on, will you think about coming to America to be my wife? No doubt, you will ask yourself whether I can support you and your children. Anthony has recently opened his own store. I work there and peddle goods in the nearby towns and countryside. The coal mining industry has been good for business, and our customers are buying more goods—including ink pens, expensive watches, and fancy clothing—than ever before.

           I miss you and pray that you will come to America. I await your answer.

Salaam, Saddo

October 15, 1907

Dear Zawhea,

           You will soon be in my arms as my bride. I have given much thought to bringing the children over with you. Your abb and umm are right. They are able and willing to provide a safe and stable home, to give them a solid foundation and opportunities for schooling. Your children should stay living there until they are older and can make the trip safely. I understand that it will be hard for you to leave them. Amina’s letter arrived the day after yours. I am so glad that she and Zacharias will travel with you.

           After you disembark on Ellis Island, you will go through the registration. I will be waiting for you there. We will then take the train to Pittsburgh and change to go on to Uniontown. Then we have a short drive to New Salem, where Anthony will meet us. Bring only a small bag. We can buy what you need here.

           Stay strong. It is good that you will be leaving on November 15. I do not want you crossing in winter weather. I will wire you money tomorrow.

Salaam,

Saddo

Dear Zawhea

I received your letter. I am relieved to hear that you and your parents are well

What a terrible situation in Syria now. And it seems to be getting worse. I am fearful for our country and pray for it every day. Your parents must be very worried about the future that they want to arrange a marriage for you right now. It is a difficult time, and I hesitate to advise you. In better times, you would be wise to continue your studies

As for myself, I am working hard and saving so that someday I can marry and have a family. I often think what it would be like to have you here with me. I wish I could bring you here now

Please write again

Salaam

Saddo

December 15, 1905

Dear Zawhea

We are about to celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas. I am thinking about the many celebrations of this feast our families had together. One I remember in particular. You and I were in my umm’s kitchen dishing out the malfouf, and I dropped a few of them on the floor. We laughed as you helped me clean up the sauce, rice, and meat slopped everywhere. I miss those happy times

I received a letter from Umm today. She mentioned that you had met the son of your parents’ friends. I understand that if your parents want you to marry now, you will have no choice but to do so. Even here in America, some marriages are arranged and others are not, depending on the culture of those involved

I miss you. And I pray for our families and our country every day as Syria struggles against Ottoman control 

Salaam, Saddo

June 4, 1907

My dear Amina, 

Umm wrote about Zawhea’s husband. I have enclosed a letter to Zawhea. Please give it to her for me. You knew I was sad about her arranged marriage, and now I would like to be in touch with her.

Salaam,

Saddo

Dear Zawhea, 

Umm wrote to me about the death of your husband. Please know that I am sad for you. She told me about your little boy, Mitelj, and that soon you will have a second child.

Ever since the Abrahams had a baby girl—an event that made little Tony very happy—I have rented a small home of my own. You would like it. There is a parlor and small kitchen. My bedroom is comfortable. There is running water and a small bath area. I try to make my home like my umm’s as much as possible, and I am even cooking with Syrian spices. (You would like my malfouf.) I found some bright pillows with gold and blue at the market to adorn my couch. People from my church helped me when I moved. They gave me dishes and cooking pots, and now they busy themselves trying to find me a wife. Yet none of the women here interest me.

Zawhea, you know that I understood and respected your marriage. However, there isn’t a woman I have met who would please me more than you would. I know it is too soon for you to decide. As time goes on, will you think about coming to America to be my wife? No doubt, you will ask yourself whether I can support you and your children. Anthony has recently opened his own store. I work there and peddle goods in the nearby towns and countryside. The coal mining industry has been good for business, and our customers are buying more goods—including ink pens, expensive watches, and fancy clothing—than ever before. 

I miss you and pray that you will come to America. I await your answer.

Salaam, Saddo

That was quite a day. I hugged Amina, sobbing and smiling at the same time. My life was taking an unexpected turn. I thought and prayed about moving to America. After many conversations with Abb and Umm and of course, Amina, I was able to make the decision to travel to America and marry Saddo. The sad part was leaving my children with my parents. They loved Mitelj and Martha and we all understood it would not be wise to take them on the long voyage across the ocean. The happy part was I was going to marry my love and Amina and Zacharias were traveling with me. Deep down in my heart, I felt my children would join me in America soon.

Abruptly I was shaken out of my deep thoughts as Sam walked in the back door and saw me staring into space. 

“Anna, what is wrong? You look sad.”

“I’m reading my letters and journal. I’m sad that our children are grown and now Louie is moving. You know, I saved all your letters.”

Sam shook his head and went into the store to close out the day’s books. I watched him, thinking, all he cares about is that store. From the day we opened the store I have been waging war for his time. Sam will spend hours rearranging the shelves, watch cases and the window display and doesn’t seem to appreciate me in spite that I help him with the books and orders. Back to my memories.

October 15, 1907

Dear Zawhea,

You will soon be in my arms as my bride. I have given much thought to bringing the children over with you. Your abb and umm are right. They are able and willing to provide a safe and stable home, to give them a solid foundation and opportunities for schooling. Your children should stay living there until they are older and can make the trip safely. I understand that it will be hard for you to leave them. Amina’s letter arrived the day after yours. I am so glad that she and Zacharias will travel with you.

After you disembark on Ellis Island, you will go through the registration. I will be waiting for you there. We will then take the train to Pittsburgh and change to go on to Uniontown. Then we have a short drive to New Salem, where Anthony will meet us. Bring only a small bag. We can buy what you need here.

Stay strong. It is good that you will be leaving on November 15. I do not want you crossing in winter weather. I will wire you money tomorrow.

Salaam,

Saddo