DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | ""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985

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""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985

Page 43

boy answered in spanish. "My name is John Ponce and me and my family live right over there beyond those tracks. You know, senor, you should not be out here in this cold with so little to wear. Where did you come from, anyway?"

"I am Magdaleno Cano, John Ponce. I heard your whistling and could not believe what I was hearing. My wife, Maria, and my three girls are on our way to Chicago to find work. You say you and your family live a short distance from here, John? Do you think that your mother might find the time to cook us some breakfast and part with some milk for the little ones? We have not eaten for such a long time and we have to wait here for six hours before our tain is to leave. Tell her that I am able to pay for her time. "

"You mean to tell me that your family are in the depot, Mr. Cano?" John asked with concern. "I am sure that my mother will cook you something to eat and I will run home right now to ask her. Wait for me in the depot and I will return shortly."

As Leno ran back to tell Maria the good news, he suddenly stopped, looked up to the sky to give thanks and continued on to the depot. Shortly thereafter, John returned with an open invitation from his mother. After he escorted the Cano family to his home, he went on to school unaware that he had influenced the eventual home of these transcountry travelers. 

Mrs. Ponce sat the Cano family down at her kitchen table and proceeded to fix them some ham and eggs. While she cooked, she freely told them of their migration to the United States as Mr. Ponce backed her up with additional facts . The Ponce's hospitality and stories breathed a new sense of hope in both Leno and Maria. They learned that Selso Ponce and his wife, Guadalupe migrated to the states in the early 1900s. From El Paso, Texas, to Peabody, Kansas, and to West Liberty, Iowa by May 1911. Maria estimated that she was but a little girl when these two were moving into this very home. 

As the morning hours passed on, the clock on the kitchen wall almost read eleven o'clock. It was nearing their time to move on back to the train station. As Leno and Maria gathered up their few belongings, Mrs. Ponce stepped forward taking Maria's hand in hers. 

"No, Mrs. Cano.. Maria." she said tenderly. "You do not have to go all the way to Chicago to find work. Stay here with us. Leno can help Selso with the chores until he finds work for himself. It is winter now and you do not want to put your youngsters through the uncertainties that Chicago will offer. Stay with us.. for a while, anyway."

Maria looked at Leno for his opinion and was relieved to see his agreement by extending his hand in gratitude to Mr. Ponce. Together, they looked at the clock as the train whistle screamed in the distance. The clock read eleven o'five. 

During their traveling Maria was able to maintain communication by mail with her relatives as to her whereabouts. While at the Ponce home, she received a letter from her brother, Otilio who was working on a railroad lines in Keokuk, Iowa. Otilio suggested that Leno come to Keokuk; that the railroad was hiring workers but since work was only for three months, Maria should stay in West Liberty with the Ponces. 

43.

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boy answered in spanish. "My name is John Ponce and me and my family live right over there beyond those tracks. You know, senor, you should not be out here in this cold with so little to wear. Where did you come from, anyway?" "I am Magdaleno Cano, John Ponce. I heard your whistling and could not believe what I was hearing. My wife, Maria, and my three girls are on our way to Chicago to find work. You say you and your family live a short distance from here, John? Do you think that your mother might find the time to cook us some breakfast and part with some milk for the little ones? We have not eaten for such a long time and we have to wait here for six hours before our tain is to leave. Tell her that I am able to pay for her time. " "You mean to tell me that your family are in the depot, Mr. Cano?" John asked with concern. "I am sure that my mother will cook you something to eat and I will run home right now to ask her. Wait for me in the depot and I will return shortly." As Leno ran back to tell Maria the good news, he suddenly stopped, looked up to the sky to give thanks and continued on to the depot. Shortly thereafter, John returned with an open invitation from his mother. After he escorted the Cano family to his home, he went on to school unaware that he had influenced the eventual home of these transcountry travelers. Mrs. Ponce sat the Cano family down at her kitchen table and proceeded to fix them some ham and eggs. While she cooked, she freely told them of their migration to the United States as Mr. Ponce backed her up with additional facts . The Ponce's hospitality and stories breathed a new sense of hope in both Leno and Maria. They learned that Selso Ponce and his wife, Guadalupe migrated to the states in the early 1900s. From El Paso, Texas, to Peabody, Kansas, and to West Liberty, Iowa by May 1911. Maria estimated that she was but a little girl when these two were moving into this very home. As the morning hours passed on, the clock on the kitchen wall almost read eleven o'clock. It was nearing their time to move on back to the train station. As Leno and Maria gathered up their few belongings, Mrs. Ponce stepped forward taking Maria's hand in hers. "No, Mrs. Cano.. Maria." she said tenderly. "You do not have to go all the way to Chicago to find work. Stay here with us. Leno can help Selso with the chores until he finds work for himself. It is winter now and you do not want to put your youngsters through the uncertainties that Chicago will offer. Stay with us.. for a while, anyway." Maria looked at Leno for his opinion and was relieved to see his agreement by extending his hand in gratitude to Mr. Ponce. Together, they looked at the clock as the train whistle screamed in the distance. The clock read eleven o'five. During their traveling Maria was able to maintain communication by mail with her relatives as to her whereabouts. While at the Ponce home, she received a letter from her brother, Otilio who was working on a railroad lines in Keokuk, Iowa. Otilio suggested that Leno come to Keokuk; that the railroad was hiring workers but since work was only for three months, Maria should stay in West Liberty with the Ponces. 43.