Polish and Proud

I want to introduce my folks. Both were immigrants from Poland. They are the king pins of my story. They led a life far different from today. They were not rich but our family had loads of love for each other and now memories that are treasures that no ONE can take from us.

First is Ta, Frank, came to America just before the outbreak of World War I. He and his father did not feel any obligation to Russia and Ta would have to fight for Russia, as they lived in Russian occupied Poland, very close to the Russian boarder. Ta was about 18 with his papers in order, and passage paid, came down with an eye infection that could not be cleared. He went from village to village seeking help and advice as what to do. Time was growing short, finally someone advised him to see a gypsy herbalist and believe it or not her remedy cleared Ta’s infection. He crossed on the ship Batory. Eye infections were one thing Ellis Island doctors watched for and if discovered, you were shipped back.

Ta finally in America joins his brother Walter in Conchahaukin, Penn. There he does menial jobs and works as a field hand. Even this did not last, Uncle Walter then suggested he go to work in the coal mines. Ta flatly and absolutely refused, he admitted that he was afraid and then remarked, "I’ll soon enough be in hell never mind on earth." His alternative was to join his sister Francis in Mass. Again the only work available was farm work. He took it and said "it’s honest work." Actually, it was the thing he knew. Another thing, don’t forget there is the language barrier, so where was a young man to go for a job. He was lucky to have farm work. He accepted it and gave a good days work for his wages.

Put the shoe on the other foot, I wonder how we would fare if shipped off to a foreign country where we did not know the language. I think they were pretty brave, but youth has no fear.

Now it’s Ma Ma’s (Leonora) turn. She left Poland at the age of seventeen. A high spirited young girl she leaves her parents and younger brother Vincent behind on a tiny farm, with a thatched roof cottage and dirt floors. Her parents knew there wasn’t much of a future for her on this tiny farm, especially with rumors of war. Her sister Valeria had left Poland a few years earlier and she was to join her in America.

She told of her crossing, how most everyone was sea sick and how she cared for a number of girls she had become acquainted with. However, in the evening they were on their own as she joined in the singing and dancing with the other immigrants. "Where there was music I was in the midst of the fun." Ma joined her sister in Utica, New York. There after many trips to a shirt factory a man sent for an interpreter and Ma got a job sewing on shirt collars. She was doing real well until she took sick. She was out sick for a long time and when she finally was well enough, she returned to work only to find her job was given to someone else.

Things became rough for Ma who was in debt and merely existing in her room. She longed to return home. She said that when she got a job she would save for passage back. She rationed her food so as it would last from one week to the next.

At long last her uncle sent for her, paid her debts and sent her train fare to Mass.

On the train she told of a mystery man who was dressed very odd, but had a pleasant face and gentle eyes. They exchanged small talk but Ma was very nervous for fear of getting off at the wrong station. Twice he held her back and shook his head no, it wasn’t time, he smiled assuredly and shared his food with her. Before arriving at the correct station he smiled and said she must now prepare to get off. She hurriedly gathered her bags and went to the exit. She turned to "thank" him for his company and kindness but he had disappeared. Gone!

Often she reminisced of this stranger and commented in Polish, "May God bless this man and give him heaven." My thoughts are that this man was her guardian angel.

Frank and Leonora are in Mass. They meet at a Christening in Millers Falls, there’s singing, dancing and lots of food. At long last Ta finds the courage to ask Ma to dance and it’s the beginning of a romance. Ma tells of how her mind was made up that Ta would be hers, for he was a beautiful dancer, tall, good looking and smoked cigarettes. "To bad he didn’t play an instrument." Oh well, what more could a girl of 17 ask for.

She was envied and talked about by the young girls and even told that she wasn’t worthy of such a good fellow.

During their courtship of two years Ta lived on what is called "Rabbit Hill" and Ma lived at the Nadolony house in Montague City.

On his way home at night he would have to pass by a very old cemetery.

One night as he was passing the cemetery he saw a tall thin man dressed in a black cape, high black boots and a stove pipe hat. Ta was scared but kept walking. After a bit he turned and looked back. The man had disappeared into thin air. Ta swore this man was a ghost. You couldn’t convince him otherwise.

Much later in life Ma claimed she never loved Ta but when confronted with "How did you come to have eight kids?" her reply was "Shar rop." (shut up)

We kids knew there was love between them, even though they never showed their affection towards each other.

They were married in St. Mary of the Assumption church in September of 1915 by the Reverend Stanislaus Zdebel. Ta was 21 and Ma 19.

Ta was born September 9,1894 and Ma February 2, 1896.

I have their wedding picture in my living room. They were a good looking couple. The photographer evidently did not know which hand the wedding band went on so there are four, one on each hand.