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""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985
Page 33
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mines. Such were the conditions that aided Zeferino in crossing over into the United States and continued with the migration of Leno and Maria. In the 1920's, this second wave of migrants fanned out from its base in Mexico extending to Pennsylvania in the east and California in the west. The demand for agricultural labor was the primary reason for this wave of migrants. Interestingly enough and more applicable to the eventual Cano home, during the twenties, immigrants began to settle outside of the traditional area of the Southwest. San Antonio, El Paso, and other cities became recruiting centers for the labor needs of the north, northwest and northeast. These routes northward usually followed railroad lines that often provided transportation as well as jobs for the Mexican migrant. Their recruitment became quite important after the 1921 and 1924 immigration acts which reduced European immigration and thereby enlarged job opportunities in industry for non-European minorities. APRIL OF 1926. SAN Antonio, TEXAS, U.S.A Four year old Elena and two year old Maria Guadalupe quietly sat on the wooden seat of the train between twenty-two year old Leno and twenty-one year old Maria. Exactly how many hours had passed or how many miles traveled escaped the young couple as the landscape seen through the train's window flashed by them. Although Leno had made this trip in the past, his experience was underscored by his feelings of concern for his family. Maria's uneasiness easily gave hint of a first time traveler. Fresh memories of the death of her mother and of her infant twin boys repeated themselves again and again in her mind. The fact that she was three months with child also added to her concerns. But as she glanced down to her side, the sight of her two daughters sitting beside her filled her spirit again with strength and assurance. Across the aisle from them, another family began to share a small lunch which they had packed for their trip. Maria's hand squeezed the empty sack that had contained a meager lunch that they had finished many miles ago. The family;s commotion caught the attention of the two little girls as they stood on the seat for a better look at the feast. "Mama, can we have something to eat, too?" the two girls asked simultaneously tugging at Maria's sleeve. Aware that their provisions were gone until the next stop, she calmed them the best that she could. "Not now children. In an hour. We just ate but a short time ago. How can you be hungry already?" Maria answered. The girls slid back into their wooden seats and eyed the family across the aisle with hunger in their eyes. Periodically, they would ask Maria if the hour of waiting had passed only to hear the same answer. Eventually, with thumbs in their mouths, they curled up beside their mother and fell asleep. Maria tenderly spread her shaw over them as she whispered to Leno. "How much further to this place called San Antonio, Leno? Are you certain that there is work to be found there? As you can see, we have no more food and the children are hungry." 33.
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mines. Such were the conditions that aided Zeferino in crossing over into the United States and continued with the migration of Leno and Maria. In the 1920's, this second wave of migrants fanned out from its base in Mexico extending to Pennsylvania in the east and California in the west. The demand for agricultural labor was the primary reason for this wave of migrants. Interestingly enough and more applicable to the eventual Cano home, during the twenties, immigrants began to settle outside of the traditional area of the Southwest. San Antonio, El Paso, and other cities became recruiting centers for the labor needs of the north, northwest and northeast. These routes northward usually followed railroad lines that often provided transportation as well as jobs for the Mexican migrant. Their recruitment became quite important after the 1921 and 1924 immigration acts which reduced European immigration and thereby enlarged job opportunities in industry for non-European minorities. APRIL OF 1926. SAN Antonio, TEXAS, U.S.A Four year old Elena and two year old Maria Guadalupe quietly sat on the wooden seat of the train between twenty-two year old Leno and twenty-one year old Maria. Exactly how many hours had passed or how many miles traveled escaped the young couple as the landscape seen through the train's window flashed by them. Although Leno had made this trip in the past, his experience was underscored by his feelings of concern for his family. Maria's uneasiness easily gave hint of a first time traveler. Fresh memories of the death of her mother and of her infant twin boys repeated themselves again and again in her mind. The fact that she was three months with child also added to her concerns. But as she glanced down to her side, the sight of her two daughters sitting beside her filled her spirit again with strength and assurance. Across the aisle from them, another family began to share a small lunch which they had packed for their trip. Maria's hand squeezed the empty sack that had contained a meager lunch that they had finished many miles ago. The family;s commotion caught the attention of the two little girls as they stood on the seat for a better look at the feast. "Mama, can we have something to eat, too?" the two girls asked simultaneously tugging at Maria's sleeve. Aware that their provisions were gone until the next stop, she calmed them the best that she could. "Not now children. In an hour. We just ate but a short time ago. How can you be hungry already?" Maria answered. The girls slid back into their wooden seats and eyed the family across the aisle with hunger in their eyes. Periodically, they would ask Maria if the hour of waiting had passed only to hear the same answer. Eventually, with thumbs in their mouths, they curled up beside their mother and fell asleep. Maria tenderly spread her shaw over them as she whispered to Leno. "How much further to this place called San Antonio, Leno? Are you certain that there is work to be found there? As you can see, we have no more food and the children are hungry." 33.
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