Title
Diego Delfino — Letter to his Daughter, 1926/01/10
Creators
Delfino, Diego
Contributors
Cancian, Sonia (translation and transcription)
Date
January 10, 1926
Description
Letter from Diego Delfino of Follansbee, West Virginia, to his daughter of Reggio Calabria, Italy.
Geographic Locations
Continents: Europe :: North America
Countries: ITALY :: UNITED STATES
States: West Virginia
Cities: Follansbee :: Reggio Calabria
Countries: ITALY :: UNITED STATES
States: West Virginia
Cities: Follansbee :: Reggio Calabria
UMedia Archive
link to original record and high resolution viewer
Li 10 gennaio 1926. Figlia mia adorata, Ho ricevuto la tua del I4 Dicembre scoro an- no, e non comprendo perche’ tanto ritardo postale. In essa conteneva la tua tenerezza e l’af- fetto che nutri pel tuo lontano genitore. Le tue espressioni e i tuoi augurii mi colmarono di gioia. Grazie cara Mary, grazie. Sto alquanto bene con i toui fratellini, i quali sono molto discoli ed approfittano della mia benevolenza. Giovannino e’ un artista compiuto. Il pro- gresso nel dipingere le figure con i piu’ svariati oggetti, for- mano la meraviglia del pubblico, data la tenera eta’ sua. Da mane a sera non fa altro che pitturare , e, talvolta anche in chiesa vorrebbe dipingere il prete nel- l’atto del sacrificio della messa. Che biricchino… Se avra’ la salute e vivra’, egli sara’ in condizioni di guadagnarsi la vita in tempo. Voglio accluderti alcuni schizzi che egli fa con una velocita’ vertiginosa. Finora non mi e’ stato possibile in- viare la retta di convittura, data la scarsita’ dei lavori in questo paese, stando sempre in aspettativa, a dir del pubblico, che le miniere si riapriranno. In questo posto se i minatori non lavorano il danaro si vede da lontano. Mi addolora immen- samente che per la prima volta sia stato obbligato di mancare alle mie pronte obbligazioni. Spero pero’ di poter con solleci- tudine adempire ai miei doveri. Averti la buona generosa Su- periora, che circostanze impreviste e crudeli mi forzarono a essere leniente involontario. Voglio sperare che tu stai bene e godi nel convitto colle altre campagne. Non v’e’ al mondo maggior con- solazione quanto la pace in famiglia. Gloria nel piu’ alto de’ cieli e pace agli uomini di buona volonta’. Non ho altro da dirti, pel momento almeno, e t’invio i saluti e gli abbracci da’ fratellini ed io colla benedizione, un milione di baci al mio povero cuore. Tuo Padre ***** Delfino 7. (type-written; 1 page) [Note: this is the last surviving letter from Diego Delfino to his daughter, as noted in the biographical note enclosed in the folder of the letters] *** Chev. Dr. D. Delfino Phone 164 Follansbee, W. Va.
January 10, 1926. My adored Daughter, I received your letter of December 14 of the past year, and I don’t understand why there is such a postal delay. In your letter, I read the tenderness and affection that you nurture for your distant parent. Your expressions and good wishes filled me with joy. Thank you dear Mary, thank you. I’m fine as well with your younger brothers, who are mischievous and take advantage of my good will. Giovannino is an accomplished artist. The progress he has made in painting figures with the most varied objects attracts considerable awe from the public, especially in light of his tender age. From morning to night, he does nothing else but paint, and sometimes, even in Church he would like to paint the priest while performing mass. What a little devil. If he will have good health and live long, he will be able to earn his living in time. I’m enclosing a few sketches he has drawn at dizzying speeds. Until now, it has not been possible for me to send the money for the board, given the dearth of work in this land, as I’m always waiting that the mines reopen, in terms of patients. Here, if the miners don’t work, money is short to come by. I’m very sorry that for the first time I have had to forego on my obligations/miss my payments. However, I hope to fulfill my duties more diligently and promptly. Advise the good and generous Mother Superior, that unforeseen and cruel circumstances have forced me to be delinquent against my will. I hope that you are well and that you enjoy your stay at the convent with your friends. There is no other greater consolation in this world than peace in the family. Glory in the heavens and peace to all men of good will. I have nothing else to add for the moment at least, and I send you my greeting and embraces from your younger brothers and I with my blessing, a million kisses to my poor heart. Your Father. Delfino 7. [first draft translation drawn in part fm translation in the Delfino biographical folder of the letter] Follansbee, W. Va.
