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whom freedom was so important that they abandoned their homes and travelled thousands of miles, enduring all manner of hardships to come to an unknown land where they could be free.  Some of course might have been executed or deported by the Bolsheviks, since they obviously belonged to the middle and uppermiddle classes.  But the majority had been peasants, poor and illiterate or at least badly educated.  They would have little reason to fear persecution.  They simply sought freedom.  Working with them became a lesson to me in the meaning of the Bill of Rights.

My job, in a word, was to "Americanize" the people who came to Hellman House.  I helped them with their English and being natural linquists, they learned with surprising speed.  In simple terms, I talked to them about civics, how we elect representatives, all the way from Washington to the County Recorder.  They became greatly interested when I Told them my father had held public office.  What had he