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CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
It is the early part of October 1908. I am on the train bound for New York. Again a semi-express, as the difference in fare is not warranted. I have between sixty and seventy dollars in my wallet. I owe nothing to anyone. All is squared. I think of the grim experience of the first three months in Chicago and Dante’s verses come to my mind:
“Ah quanto a dir qual era e’ cosa dura
Esta selva selvaggia e aspra e forte
Che nel pensier rinnova la paura.”
“Oh, how painful it is to recall that forest so wild, thick and thorny, which to the mind fear revives.” But all fear is now banished. I shall be in want to more. Adverse conditions have again worked for my good. It is always dark before the dawn, but “the dawn never fails.” Only, I hope that Marie will be satisfied to wait and follow me where my future seems assured.
I am in New York, at the 125th Street Station, Sunday evening, about eight P.M. I go to a telephone booth and call the number of 582 West 183rd Street. When I hear “hello,” I disguise my voice and say:
“I would like to talk to Miss Marie Paterno.”
“This is Marie Paterno. Who is it?”
“I am a friend of Anthony Campagna.”
“What did you say?”
“I said I am a friend of Anthony Campagna, just returned from Chicago. I have a letter for you, which Anthony asked me to deliver to you personally.”
“Where are you now?”
“At 125th Street.”
“When can you come?”
“Right now, if it’s not too late.”
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“No, come right up, (in anxious tone). How is Anthony? I haven’t heard from him in several days. Is he well?”
“Don’t worry, he is quite well.”
“How long will it take you to come up?”
“Half an hour or three quarters.”
“I will be waiting. Do you know how to get here?”
“No, but I’ll take a cab.”
I was chuckling all the way. The joke had worked. Marie was so excited that she didn’t detect my voice.
When Marie opens the door, she is frightened, happy, blushing. She throws an arm around my waist and says: “You little rascal, I knew there was something funny. I felt it was you, but I wasn’t sure. Why didn’t you let us know? Did you just get in? When did you leave Chicago?…” It is the same Marie, talking all the time and not waiting for an answer. Her mother comes in the foyer, laughing. “Why don’t you give the poor fellow a chance to get rid of his hat and coat?”
There are only the three of us and it is a rare occurrence. Tina is asleep, the other girls have gone to a party and the boys are out sporting. Marie offers to prepare something to eat, but I tell her that I had had my supper on the train and we settle down to a review of my doings. After a brief outline of the tough spots, I tell them that everything is fine now and that I am planning to return to Chicago in about a week.
“What, going to Chicago again?” says Marie, turning pale.
“Of course, I am going to Chicago again. After months of suffering, I have made a fair start and must go on with my work. I have enrolled in a Law School where I can graduate in two years and then I’ll be an American lawyer. Don’t you think I’ll make good?”
“Of course you will; but you can make good right here in New York.”
“There is a big field in Chicago, from the little I have seen and not much competition.”
“You should be able to do as well in New York.”
“It would be harder and it would take longer.”
“What about me?”
“Oh! I hadn’t thought…”
“Oh! You had not!”
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“It isn’t what you mean. I thought you would be glad to see me succeed, no matter where.”
“Yes…but…”
Marie is all ruffled and I suggest that we should give the matter thought, before discussing it again.
At breakfast, Marie resumes her gentle attack.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Like a woodchuck in winter.”
“That’s fine. Have you given further thought to your plans?”
“When sleeping, one can only dream. I had some beautiful dreams, but I wouldn’t tell you what they were.”
“Stop your nonsense and be serious.”
“All right, I’ll listen. I can see you are upset.”
“I am upset. I wouldn’t be happy if you went back to Chicago.”
“I must go back and you will have to patiently wait for at least two years.”
“I don’t care if I have to wait ten years, but I want you to remain in New York. We have a big family and are well established. Why go to a strange city?”
“Because I am reasonably sure of success.”
“You can make a success in New York, go to night law school and work for my brothers in day time.”
“To do what? Count bricks?”
“Never mind. You can learn the business and probably be better off than practicing law.”
“Would you ask me to give up my life-work?”
“You are talking like an old man. Forget your pride. You are in America now and if you really love me, please don’t leave New York. In a few months you will see a different picture.”
We discontinue the delicate subject and I present the gift to Marie. For a moment, I thought she was going to hug me…but she didn’t.
“Why did you spend so much money?”
“I wish I could have spent more. It is a small token.”
Marie is extremely please and I am flattered. Tina is thrilled with her toy, a miniature cow that moos. Carolina and Rose also think I am…
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…a grand fellow. They have heard of my short stay and the three of them plead that I remain in New York.
The following day I meet Charles and Joe at luncheon. I answer their various questions on my activities in Chicago and when I tell them of my plans and Marie’s objections, Joe is quite outspoken. He says that it is preposterous for me to think of returning to Chicago. “We are just starting a large building operation and we can use your services, first to receive materials and gradually take on more important assignments.”
I observe that it would be quite a departure from law books.
“You can go to Law School in the evening. Meanwhile, you will learn our business and then decide whether you want to be a lawyer or a builder.”
“How would it look for me to be a receiving clerk?”
“That should be the least of your worries. In America everybody works. I know many students at Columbia University who wash dishes to go through college.”
“I am not afraid to do anything, but I shouldn’t want to lose respect.”
“You will enjoy full respect and take order from nobody. We are the bosses and will be in back of you.”
“I want to work and earn my way. I appreciate your interest, but my ambition is to continue in my profession and Chicago seems like a favorable field.”
“There is no city in the world like New York. Our family started from nothing and look where we are.”
“It is a big problem. I am all mixed up. Let me think it over.”
“Think it over, if you want to, but your best bet is to go along with us. You can start to work tomorrow. We need somebody right now.”
I had come to another crossroad and, as in previous situation of difficult solution, I felt a subconscious warning not to obstruct destiny. In later years I discovered in these lines its ineluctable source:
“Behold, I have set before thee the open door of destiny and no man shall shut it.”
Next morning I told Marie that I was going to consider her brothers’ recommendation and put it to a test for a few days. She was quite happy and absolutely certain that I would like the work.
Next: Chapter 35
