Such stories of easily acquired wealth lured John, as we call him, to leave his Fatherland with his wife and child. But unfortunately for John and his family, they reached America during the recent panic. Thousands of workmen were idle. In New York, John could find no work. Even the rich brother only worked part of the time, and having wife and children of his own, had nothing to divide with John and his family. So John drifted away seeking employment.
The few dollars that he brought with him became exhausted, and although he studied English evenings, he spoke it brokenly. One of the boys at the Colony said he talked in “kindlewood.”
While he was seeking employment, no word came to the wife and child. Some said John would never come back. But Mary believed in him. She said that he had always loved the baby and he knew that she herself could work. But at times even she doubted when weeks followed weeks and no word came.
Once when one of the boys was going to New York, she called him aside quietly, and said, “You will see John in New York, I think.... Big man, light hair ... tell him come home, see Baby.... I want him.”
But John was not seen in New York.
It was not until a few days ago that he returned. He had traveled through New York State and on to Massachusetts. No work—everywhere no work! Sometimes he had walked. Sometimes he had jumped a freight. All to no purpose. He had wanted to write good news to Mary, and he had no good news to write. Always bad news. He was a failure. He had wished he might end it all, but the thought of the Baby had made him continue the search for employment.
Finally, one day, a rich man in Montclair needed a gardener. This man was rich—not rich like his brother—but had houses and acres of splendid farm. He would pay two dollars a day wages to a man willing to work. It seemed too good to believe. He would hurry back to his Baby and Mary. They must know the good news.
So he came and told Mary he had a job, and a little home for her and the Baby. They would be rich like his brother.
So Mary went with John and they took their Baby, all tied up in shawls.
That was yesterday—Monday—so there will be no argument Thursday on “Whether or not old-fashioned cow’s milk is better for babies than prepared foods.”