The Panama Canal

Introduction

The building of the Panama Canal is a real event that went on in the early nineteen hundreds. Richard Coleman is a fictional character in this story. He and his wife (Rachel) live in New York City and Richard is out of work. He hears about the building of the Panama Canal. Richard decides to go to make some money.

Chapter 1
The news


It was a sunny day in New York City. The sky was blue, and there were no clouds. Richard and Rachel decided to go to Central Park to have a picnic. The grass was greener than ever, and they found a nice shady spot under a big tree. The newspaper for today was in the lunch box. It was 1904 and Richard read the news and had a great idea.
“Americans are going to Panama to build a canal,” he read. “Workers will get 29-59 cents an hour.” Richard stared at Rachel with wide eyes.
“I don’t know what to say,” she said. “I mean… that’s good money but… I… how long would you be gone?”
“It doesn’t say,” Richard replied.
“Well… what’s the purpose of this canal anyway?"
“The paper says that it starts at the Atlantic Ocean, crosses through Panama, and ends at the Pacific,” he answered. “So, I would assume it’s for travelers to cross through without having to go all the way around South America. “Look,” Richard showed Rachel a map on the newspaper. “Panama is the last country under Mexico; it is right over South America. Sailors always have to go around all of South America to get to the west side of North America. Now they’ll be able to cut right through Panama. Because…"
“Okay I get it!” Rachel yelled. Tears were filling her eyes. “Panama is touching South America and six other countries are above making a line ending with Guatemala which touches North America.
“Rachel, why are you acting like this?” Richard asked.
“The newspaper says Panama is 2,218 miles away from New York!” she yelled. “Having you that far away for a couple of years… it’s just… I can’t even think of it!”
“I know how you feel,” Richard said. “But, we’ll make a lot of money.” It’s a great idea for sailors. Richard sat there waiting anxiously for Rachel’s answer.
“I guess we should go home and get you all packed up to leave tomorrow.” When they got home they packed up and Richard would leave the next morning.