So Far From Home

Dear America ~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, July 9, 1847 Lowell Mrs. Abbott's house is so near the mills we were able to walk there.... I never dreamed earthly hands could make anything that big. It looked to me like all the people in Ireland could fit inside. 'Twas like a fortress. There were smokestacks blowing their blackness heaven-ward and darkening the sky. I felt cold although the day was warm. A shudder rippled through my body. There is nothing to be afraid of, I told myself. What could be worse than what I had already seen back in Ireland? I had to o through those gates.