Bohemia, 1921

I have to leave. I want a new life in America. Everything I hear from the new world sounds very promising and perhaps I will find a better work there and start a new life. My journey will begin in four days and I still have to make a lot of preparations. Nothing keeps me here anylonger apart from my mother who is of course very sad that I am going away. She tried to convince me to stayin Bohemia but I take the chance and leave for good.

Cleveland, 1925

My work as a maidservant in Cleveland, Ohio is very satisfying and I now have been working here for over two years. My employer Mr Edward K. is very nice and I sometimes think he treats me better than the other employees. 

Cleveland, 18th February 1927

I gave birth to the most lovely baby I've ever seen and I'm so happy. His name is Edward, after his father. But I have to leave now, I'll go back to Europe to my mother.  

Bohemia, 20th November 1927

Yesterday I again recieved a letter from Edward. He begged that I should come back with the baby. I can understand his feelings because of course it's his son, too. But I don't want to leave again. But life in America with a husband could be easier because I really don't know how to work and bring up Edward junior. How nice it is to be a mother it's difficult to balance the situation. My mother can't always take care of little Edward. I might go to Edward and become a descent housewife. I really can't decide now.

Atlantic Ocean, 9th December, 1927

It's cold in this coach but fortunately I have the lower bed of the bunk and don't have to climb the unsteady ladder every night. My roommates are all right but I always feel some kind of afraid in the presence of strangers. In four or five days the journey will be over and how glad I will be to feel the terra firma under my feet. Edward junior cries very much but I take great care of him because he is the best thing that happened in my life since I left my homeland in 1921.