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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43252 ***
+
+[Transcriber's Note: Bold text is surrounded by =equal signs= and italic
+text is surrounded by _underscores_.]
+
+
+
+TESSA
+
+Our Little Italian Cousin
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+Little Cousin Series
+
+(TRADE MARK)
+
+    Each volume illustrated with six or more full-page plates in
+    tint. Cloth, 12mo, with decorative cover,
+    per volume, 60 cents
+
+
+LIST OF TITLES
+
+BY MARY HAZELTON WADE
+
+(unless otherwise indicated)
+
+    =Our Little African Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Alaskan Cousin=
+    By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Arabian Cousin=
+    By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Armenian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Australian Cousin=
+    By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Brazilian Cousin=
+    By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Brown Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Canadian Cousin=
+    By Elizabeth R. MacDonald
+
+    =Our Little Chinese Cousin=
+    By Isaac Taylor Headland
+
+    =Our Little Cuban Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Dutch Cousin=
+    By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Egyptian Cousin=
+    By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little English Cousin=
+    By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Eskimo Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little French Cousin=
+    By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little German Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Greek Cousin=
+    By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Hawaiian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Hindu Cousin=
+    By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Hungarian Cousin=
+    By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Indian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Irish Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Italian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Japanese Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Jewish Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Korean Cousin=
+    By H. Lee M. Pike
+
+    =Our Little Mexican Cousin=
+    By Edward C. Butler
+
+    =Our Little Norwegian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Panama Cousin=
+    By H. Lee M. Pike
+
+    =Our Little Persian Cousin=
+    By E. C. Shedd
+
+    =Our Little Philippine Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Porto Rican Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Russian Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Scotch Cousin=
+    By Blanche McManus
+
+    =Our Little Siamese Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Spanish Cousin=
+    By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
+
+    =Our Little Swedish Cousin=
+    By Claire M. Coburn
+
+    =Our Little Swiss Cousin=
+
+    =Our Little Turkish Cousin=
+
+
+    L. C. PAGE & COMPANY
+    New England Building,      Boston, Mass.
+
+[Illustration: TESSA]
+
+
+
+
+TESSA
+
+Our Little Italian Cousin
+
+By Mary Hazelton Wade
+
+_Illustrated by_ L. J. Bridgman
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    Boston
+    L. C. Page & Company
+    _PUBLISHERS_
+
+
+
+
+    _Copyright, 1903_
+    BY L. C. PAGE & COMPANY
+    (INCORPORATED)
+
+    _All rights reserved_
+
+
+    THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES
+    (_Trade Mark_)
+
+
+    Published, July, 1903
+    Fifth Impression, June, 1908
+    Sixth Impression, November, 1909
+    Seventh Impression, August, 1910
+
+
+
+
+Preface
+
+
+MANY people from other lands have crossed the ocean to make a new home
+for themselves in America. They love its freedom. They are happy here
+under its kindly rule. They suffer less from want and hunger than in the
+country of their birthplace.
+
+Their children are blessed with the privilege of attending fine schools
+and with the right to learn about this wonderful world, side by side
+with the sons and daughters of our most successful and wisest people.
+
+Among these newer-comers to America are the Italians, many of whom will
+never again see their own country, of which they are still so justly
+proud. They will tell you it is a land of wonderful beauty; that it has
+sunsets so glorious that both artists and poets try to picture them for
+us again and again; that its history is that of a strong and mighty
+people who once held rule over all the civilized world; that thousands
+of travellers visit its shores every year to look upon its paintings and
+its statues, for it may truly be called the art treasure-house of the
+world.
+
+When you meet your little Italian cousins, with their big brown eyes and
+olive skins, whether it be in school or on the street, perhaps you will
+feel a little nearer and more friendly if you turn your attention for a
+while to their home, and the home of the brave and wise Columbus who
+left it that he might find for you in the far West your own loved
+country, your great, grand, free America.
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+
+                                PAGE
+       I. TESSA                    9
+      II. ROME                    18
+     III. THE STORY OF ÆNEAS      38
+      IV. CHRISTMAS               52
+       V. SAINT PETER'S           64
+      VI. THE CHRISTENING         75
+     VII. THE TWINS               86
+    VIII. THE CARNIVAL           101
+      IX. THE BURIED CITY        115
+
+
+
+
+List of Illustrations
+
+
+                                                  PAGE
+    TESSA                                _Frontispiece_
+    "BEPPO WALKED BY HER SIDE"                      19
+    IN THE PALACE GARDEN                            33
+    IN ST. PETER'S                                  64
+    "WERE SOON IN THE MIDST OF A MERRY CROWD"      106
+    "IT WAS A STRANGE PLACE"                       122
+
+
+
+
+TESSA
+
+Our Little Italian Cousin
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+TESSA
+
+
+"THERE comes babbo! There comes babbo!" cried Tessa, as she ran down the
+narrow street to meet her father, with baby Francesca toddling after
+her.
+
+The man was not alone,--Beppo and the donkey were with him. They were
+very tired, for it was a hard trip from the little village on the
+hilltop to the great city, miles away, and back again. The donkey was
+not of much help on the homeward journey, either. Poor little patient
+beast! he was getting old now, and he felt that his day's work was done
+when he had carried a load of nuts and vegetables to Rome in the
+morning. But when he had to bring Beppo back again, he felt a little bit
+sulky. So it was no wonder that he stood quite still every few minutes
+and did not seem to hear his little master scold.
+
+"Get up, Pietro, get up. We shall be late to supper," Beppo would say,
+but the donkey would not move till Beppo's father used the whip. He did
+not strike hard enough to hurt the poor creature, though. Oh no, the
+kind man would not do that, he was too gentle. But he must make the
+donkey know the whip was there, or they would never get home.
+
+When they had crossed the wide plain and reached the foot of the hill,
+Beppo got down and walked. It was too hard on Pietro to make him carry
+even a little boy now.
+
+They came up the narrow road slowly till they reached the village. And
+just as the sunset spread over the sky, and gave a glory even to the
+stones, Tessa caught sight of them.
+
+"My darling Tessa," said her father. "My dear little Francesca." Tired
+as he was, he took the two children in his arms and hugged them as
+though he had been away many days. Yet he had left them at five o'clock
+that very morning.
+
+"We have good news for you, Beppo and I," he went on.
+
+Beppo laughed till the high, pointed hat nearly fell off his head.
+
+"Oh, yes, good news," said Beppo. "You cannot think what it is, Tessa.
+May I tell her, babbo?"
+
+"Yes, my child," his father answered.
+
+"You are to go to Rome to-morrow with babbo and me. The great artist who
+buys our fruit wants to see you. He thinks he may want you for a model.
+And me, too, Tessa, he wants me! He will put us both in a picture.
+Babbo said you also had long hair, and that we look much alike.
+
+"Only think, Tessa! he will pay babbo for letting him paint us. And
+mother shall have a new dress, and you shall have some red ribbons. We
+will all have a feast. Say, Tessa, is there a nice chestnut cake waiting
+for our supper? I am so hungry."
+
+The boy's great black eyes sparkled as he told the story. His long hair
+hung down over his shoulders, under the odd pointed hat. He was a
+beautiful child. It was no wonder the American artist wished to put him
+in a picture.
+
+But Tessa was beautiful, too. The artist would not be disappointed when
+he saw her. Her skin was clear, but like the colour of the olives which
+grew on the old tree behind her house. And now there was a faint pink
+blush in her cheeks as she listened to Beppo's story.
+
+They were very happy children, but oh, so poor, you would think if you
+should visit them in the old house where they have always lived. It is
+no wonder they like best to be outdoors.
+
+The house is all of stone, and the floor is made of bricks. It seems
+dark and chilly inside after leaving the glorious sunset. The plaster is
+blackened with smoke and age. In some places it is broken away from the
+wall and is falling down.
+
+But there is a picture of the Christ-child hanging over the rough table,
+and the children do not think of the dingy walls. It is home, where a
+loving father and mother watch over them and guard them from harm.
+
+See! the table is spread with the simple supper. There are the cakes
+made from chestnut flour mixed with olive oil, and of which Beppo is so
+fond. And here is milk from Tessa's pet goat. Beppo runs over to the
+stone fountain in the middle of the village and fills a copper dish
+with fresh water, and the little family sit down to their evening meal.
+
+The mother hears the good news, and claps her hands in delight. But what
+shall Tessa wear? It troubles the good soul, for Tessa has no shoes, and
+both of her dresses are old and worn.
+
+"Never mind, never mind," says her husband, "don't trouble yourself
+about that. The artist says he does not care about the clothes. He was
+much pleased with Beppo's cloak, however. He says it will be fine in the
+picture. Let Tessa wear her wide straw hat and her old clothes; that is
+all he asks."
+
+"But how will she manage to travel so far? The child has never before
+gone such a distance from home," continued her mother.
+
+"She is not heavy. She can sit on Pietro's back between the panniers. I
+will not load them heavily to-morrow, and then Pietro will not
+complain. And when we come home at night, Beppo can walk, I am sure. He
+may be tired, but he is a stout lad, my Beppo is. What do you say, my
+boy?"
+
+Beppo was sure he could get along. He was only too glad to have Tessa's
+company.
+
+"But think, babbo," he exclaimed, "it is not for one day that the artist
+wishes us. It is many, many, before the picture will be finished. We can
+manage somehow, I am sure. I am nearly twelve years old now, and I am
+getting very strong."
+
+"But what will mother do with me away all day long?" said Tessa. "Who
+will take care of the baby while she works in the garden? And who will
+help her pull the weeds?"
+
+"Bruno shall watch Francesca. He will let no harm come to her, you may
+be sure. Besides, she can walk alone so well now, she is little care. As
+for the garden, there is not much more to do at present. It almost
+takes care of itself," said the mother.
+
+"Yes, Bruno can be trusted," said the father, "he is the best dog I ever
+knew."
+
+As he heard his name spoken, the sheep-dog came slowly out of the
+chimney-corner. He wagged his tail as though he knew what his master and
+mistress had been saying. Beppo threw him his last bit of cake and Bruno
+caught it on his nose, from which it was quickly passed into his mouth.
+
+"Dear old Bruno," said Tessa, "you took care of me when I was a baby,
+didn't you? Mamma, did Bruno really rock the cradle and keep the flies
+off, so I could sleep?"
+
+"Yes, my child; when I was very ill he would watch you all day long. And
+when you began to creep, he followed you about. If you got near the edge
+of a step, or any other unsafe place, he would lift you by your dress
+and bring you to my side. We should thank the good Lord for bringing
+Bruno to us."
+
+The mother looked up to the picture of Jesus and made the sign of the
+cross on her breast.
+
+An hour later the whole family were sound asleep on their hard beds.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ROME
+
+
+ABOUT four o'clock the next morning every one was awake and stirring.
+There was much to be done. The vegetables and fruits must be gathered;
+the donkey fed and saddled; Tessa's hair must be carefully combed and
+arranged in two long braids, and the breakfast of hard bread and olives
+eaten.
+
+Tessa could not eat as much as usual to-day, she was so greatly excited.
+Think of it! This was to be her first trip to the great city. Her father
+and Beppo had told her so much about the wonderful sights there, and now
+she was going to look at them with her own eyes. Perhaps she would see
+the children of the artist. Beppo had told her of their blue eyes and
+golden hair. He called them little angels.
+
+[Illustration: "BEPPO WALKED BY HER SIDE"]
+
+Ah! she would like to be fair like them, she thought, as she looked in
+her tiny mirror. She did not dream how they would admire her own sweet
+dark face and soft voice.
+
+Now it was six o'clock and time to start. Tessa seated herself on
+Pietro's back with her legs hidden by the bags of fruit. Beppo walked by
+her side, while her father went ahead leading Pietro by a rope.
+
+Although it was so early, everybody in the village seemed to be up and
+doing. As she passed along, Tessa nodded good morning to the old women
+knitting or braiding straw on the door-steps.
+
+"Pietro, do be careful," she cried, as the donkey picked his way among
+babies tumbling over each other in the narrow street while the older
+children played about them.
+
+Our little party passed the fountain where a group of women were doing
+the family washing. Every one had a good word for Tessa, and wished her
+well, for the good news of last night had travelled from house to house.
+
+The narrow streets were paved with blocks of black lava which had once
+flowed red-hot from the volcano, Vesuvius. High stone buildings that
+were hundreds of years old stood on each side. Perhaps in far-away times
+they had been forts or castles, but now the simple peasants lived in
+them with no thought of the grand old days of their country.
+
+For this was Italy, the land of sunny skies and the treasure-house of
+the world. Look in your geography at the map of Europe and find the
+oddly shaped peninsula that stretches downward between two seas. It
+looks something like a man's boot, don't you think so?
+
+Tessa doesn't know anything about the shape of her country, however. She
+has never studied geography. In fact, she can't even read, for she has
+been to school only six months altogether.
+
+The good priest in the village loves the little girl. He has known Beppo
+and Tessa ever since they were born. He has tried to make it possible
+for these children to get learning, but many things have happened to
+prevent their studying.
+
+One winter their father had a broken leg; at another, their mother was
+sick in bed for one whole year. When that trouble was over, the chestnut
+crop was very poor, and every one in the family had to work hard to earn
+enough to save them from starving. Something had been the matter nearly
+all the time, yet they had kept cheerful and happy. A change would come
+at last, if they loved the good Lord as they should. This is what
+Tessa's mother had said again and again.
+
+The little girl thought of her mother's words as she rode proudly off on
+the donkey.
+
+One of Beppo's boy friends went with them as far as the pasture-land
+below the village. He was driving a flock of goats which he must tend
+during the day. It was an easy life, but very tedious, and the boy
+wished he could go to the city, too. He had been there once, to the
+carnival. It was the grand time of his life, and he loved to tell the
+story over and over to his young friends.
+
+At first the donkey trotted along quite merrily. His feet were so sure
+that Tessa had no fear of his stumbling, though the way at first was
+steep and stony.
+
+"Good Pietro," said his little rider as she patted his head.
+
+Perhaps the praise was too much for him, for Pietro turned his head to
+one side and came to a standstill. An idea seemed to have come to him.
+It was time for rest and a lunch. Look at those nice tufts of grass by
+the roadside. They must not be left behind. And Pietro began to nibble,
+as though he had no idea of the important business of the day.
+
+Tessa coaxed and Beppo scolded, but the donkey would not budge. It was
+only when his master turned back and snapped the whip, that he changed
+his mind about going forward.
+
+This was only the first of many such stops before they drew near the
+city that was once the greatest in the whole world. It well deserved the
+name of Rome, or "The Famous."
+
+"What are those large mounds we are passing?" Tessa asked her father as
+she looked off over the Campagna.
+
+"Those are tombs of men who lived ages ago in this loved country of
+ours. They were very great, and did noble deeds."
+
+"But, babbo, there is a house built on one of the mounds."
+
+"Yes, my child, the people have not kept them honoured as they should."
+
+"Tessa, look at that stone water-way running through the plain," said
+Beppo. "They have told me in the city that a great ruler built it
+thousands of years ago. Think of that, Tessa. Thousands! It cost vast
+sums of money, and was made to bring the water to the city from the
+distant mountains. In those days great quantities of water were used in
+immense bath-houses. But see, we are passing an inn. I wish we were rich
+enough to go in and have some lunch."
+
+His father heard Beppo's words. "Don't wish for what you cannot have, my
+boy," he said. "Look at that poor old man tending his flock of sheep,
+and be glad you are young and gay. That is best of all."
+
+The Italians dread old age, and many of the peasants fear death. Beppo
+saw the shadow pass across his father's face, and, like a good son,
+tried to make it look as cheerful as usual.
+
+"You shall not grow old and bent like that, babbo. Tessa and I will
+soon be able to let you take your ease. What do you say, sister?"
+
+Tessa laughed, and answered, "Oh, yes, babbo, your work is nearly done
+now, for we are fast growing up."
+
+Tessa was only nine years old, but coming to the city to be a model made
+her feel as though she were a young woman already. They now entered the
+wonderful city filled with treasures.
+
+It disappointed Tessa at first. The streets were narrow and crooked,
+like those of her own little village. The high stone houses looked dark
+and gloomy. And there were beggars here! They looked poorer and more
+ragged than any people at home. Here was an old blind woman holding out
+a plate in which the passers-by were asked to put a piece of money.
+Tessa wished she could help her, but she was too poor herself, and the
+party passed on.
+
+"You can't tell about these places by the outside," Beppo whispered.
+"Many of them are palaces, Tessa. Just wait till we come to our artist's
+house. It is grand inside, and there is a court in the middle of the
+building with fountains and statues and beautiful plants. And back of
+the house--but I won't tell you any more. You must wait till you get
+there. It is very lovely."
+
+At last the donkey came to a standstill in front of a tall building. It
+was seven stories high and was all of marble.
+
+"You knew when to stop, little beastie," said his master. "You never
+make mistakes of that kind, if you do like to nibble the grass at the
+wrong time. Get down, Tessa, this is where Mr. Gray lives.
+
+"The artist has his studio far up at the top of the building. You are to
+go there this morning, but his family live on the fourth piano.
+Good-bye, little ones. Be good children." The father kissed them
+lovingly and went away with Pietro to sell his fruit.
+
+Piano, as applied to a building, means floor in Italian. It is very
+common in Italy to find very different kinds of people living on the
+several floors, or pianos, of one building. In this old palace, which
+Tessa and Beppo entered for the first time, very poor and dirty families
+were huddled together on the first floor with their dogs and other pets.
+Yes, even the horse of one of the families shared their home in this
+fine building.
+
+But overhead, on the second floor, there lived a prince, a real live
+prince, with a dozen servants to wait on him. It did not trouble him
+that poor and dirty people were below him, because the walls were high
+and thick, and the floors were of marble. He did not seem to know even
+that there were such people in the world.
+
+Beppo and Tessa climbed twenty-seven marble steps before they came to
+the second piano; and still they must keep going up, up, up, until they
+reached the very top.
+
+"Stop, stop," Tessa had to say more than once. "I am quite out of
+breath, and then, too, I am scared just a little bit. Beppo, do I look
+all right? Do you think the artist will take me?"
+
+Then Beppo would put his arm around his sister and comfort her with
+loving words. But at last the studio was reached, and the children,
+flushed and excited, knocked at the door.
+
+"My father came with us to the city to-day. He said you wished to see
+us," Beppo grew bold enough to say when a pleasant-faced gentleman
+opened the door. "He will call for us again to-night."
+
+"Come in, little ones," the gentleman answered in Italian. "I am glad
+you are here. This is Beppo, I believe. I have seen you before. And
+here is the little sister. How do you do, my child? Make yourselves
+quite at home in these easy chairs."
+
+While he was speaking to the children he was thinking, "How beautiful
+the little girl is! She will do finely. The two will make a great
+picture. My own children must see them."
+
+Then he went on talking with Tessa. He showed her some curiosities and
+she soon forgot her bashfulness. But it was a long day. To be sure, the
+children had a delicious lunch which a servant brought up to the studio.
+The kind artist insisted they should not touch the food they had brought
+with them from home.
+
+But after all, it was very tiresome to sit quite still for half an hour
+at a time. And all the while the strange gentleman's eyes were fixed on
+them while his hand was busy with the brush.
+
+"This is just a sketch to-day, children. After this, I shall need only
+one of you at a time. But I like to have you come together,
+nevertheless. And now your work is over for the day.
+
+"Pretty hard not to move about freely, little one, isn't it?" he said,
+as he patted Tessa on the chin. Then he rang the bell and told the
+servant to call his own children up to the studio. He would not have
+done this if he had not seen that his young models were unlike many of
+the poor children of the city.
+
+"They are gentle and polite, if they are peasants," he said to himself.
+"My wife will be pleased, for Lucy and Arthur are lonesome and need some
+playmates of their own age."
+
+A moment afterward merry voices were heard and the Gray children came
+skipping into the room.
+
+"They are certainly angels," Tessa said to herself when she saw the
+golden curls of Lucy and the fair, sweet faces of her brother and
+herself. But she could not tell what they said, for they spoke in a
+strange tongue.
+
+"It is not soft like our own dear Italian," she whispered to Beppo. "It
+is hard, this American language."
+
+"They call it English, and not American," her brother answered. "I am
+going to learn it sometime, myself."
+
+The artist turned from them to his own children. He spoke in Italian.
+"Lucy and Arthur are just beginning to speak your tongue, Tessa, but
+they learn fast. They wish to know you and Beppo. I told them you were
+coming. They would like to play with you, but as yet they cannot talk
+much Italian. It is an hour yet before your father will come for you.
+Would you like to go down into the garden and walk among the flowers for
+a little while?"
+
+Tessa's eyes sparkled with delight, and her heart beat quite fast when
+Lucy stretched out her white hand and held fast her own brown one.
+
+"Come, Tessa and Beppo," said Arthur, who now spoke to his young
+visitors for the first time. "Come, and I will show you the garden."
+
+The four children left the studio and ran down the great staircase. They
+did not stop until they found themselves on the ground floor. Then they
+passed out through a wide doorway into the courtyard.
+
+Tessa held her breath with delight.
+
+"Beppo, Beppo, look at that fountain," she cried. "And see the lovely
+cherub with its wings spread."
+
+Lucy understood the words and she was pleased.
+
+"The prince owns this court," she said, "but he has told father that we
+may come here and bring our friends when we like. Let us go into the
+gardens beyond."
+
+[Illustration: IN THE PALACE GARDEN]
+
+The little Italians had hardly time to notice the statues and the
+beautiful plants before they were led into the great garden.
+
+Here were orange-trees loaded with the yellow fruit. There were beds of
+flowers in bloom, although it was late in November. Beyond, were stone
+walls over which delicate vines were creeping, and marble statues were
+half hidden in the niches.
+
+"There is a lizard," cried Arthur. "Don't you see him creeping along
+that stone wall? He's a little fellow, but, oh, my, he's quick in his
+motions."
+
+"Listen!" said Beppo, who had forgotten his shyness now. "I will charm
+him. But you must all keep still."
+
+He gave a long, low whistle. The lizard, which had crept into a hole,
+raised his head and looked toward the children in delight, as he drew
+himself to the top of the wall and lay quite still.
+
+Again Beppo whistled in the same way, and the lizard crept nearer. And
+now he stretched himself at length upon the walk at Beppo's feet.
+
+"I could keep him charmed like that all day long," said the boy. "It is
+queer, isn't it? Did you ever notice a lizard's feet?"
+
+"What do you mean? The odd way the toes swell out on the edges?" Arthur
+asked.
+
+"Yes. That is why the creature can walk across the ceiling like a fly.
+But it isn't the only reason, for a sticky substance oozes out, and that
+helps his feet to fasten themselves. I've seen them do it many times."
+
+"I wonder how they make that queer noise," said Lucy.
+
+"They smack their tongues back in their mouths, somehow," answered
+Beppo. "They are ugly little things, aren't they? But mother won't let
+me kill them when they get in the house, because they eat up the flies
+and spiders."
+
+The children were walking now between two rows of laurel-trees.
+
+"How dark and glossy the leaves are," said Lucy. "I think they are
+lovely. I like to get them and make wreaths. Then I take them up-stairs
+and put them on father's and mother's heads. I pretend I am crowning
+them as the heroes in Italy were crowned long ago." Lucy forgot her
+Italian and fell into English before she had half finished. It was no
+wonder that Tessa and Beppo could not understand.
+
+Arthur saw the puzzled look in their faces and tried to explain. He was
+older than his sister and could speak Italian better than she.
+
+"Lucy means this: I suppose you know that your country was once very
+great."
+
+Beppo nodded his head. Oh, yes, and he believed it to be very great,
+still.
+
+"And Rome was the leading city in the whole wide world," Arthur went on.
+"Great deeds were done by her people; great battles were fought; great
+books were written; great palaces were built. Well, in the olden times,
+whenever a person had done some truly great thing, he was crowned with a
+wreath of laurels. Father told me this, so I know it must be true.
+
+"But come, I am afraid your father will be waiting for you. I didn't
+notice how fast the time was going."
+
+They hurried back to the house. There, to be sure, were Pietro and his
+master. It had been a fine day. The fruit was all sold for a good price,
+and their father was eager to hear how the time had passed with his
+children.
+
+"Oh, babbo, babbo, they were so kind, those good Americans. And I am
+very happy," said Tessa. She said this softly as she leaned over the
+donkey's side to pat her father's face while they were on the way home.
+
+"The little girl (her name is Lucy, babbo,) did not seem to notice my
+bare feet and darned frock. She held my hand a long time, and I know I
+shall love her."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE STORY OF ÆNEAS
+
+
+DAY after day Tessa and Beppo travelled over the road to Rome with their
+father. They were always happy, always gentle, always merry.
+
+The artist and his family grew to love the children and wish they could
+do something to make their lives easier.
+
+"They are so poor," Lucy told her brother one night, "that they eat meat
+only at great times, like Christmas. It costs too much for them to buy
+it every day as mother does. But they have plenty of fruit. I think the
+delicious figs and apricots that grow here in this country make up for a
+good deal of meat. And their mother makes salads of all kinds of
+vegetables. Perhaps they don't miss the meat as long as they are not
+used to eating it as we are."
+
+"How did you know about their food?" asked Lucy's mother, who happened
+to hear what she said.
+
+"It came about this way, mamma. We were in the kitchen the other day. I
+wanted to watch the maid cooking over the charcoal flames in that queer
+stone stove. And Tessa said then she had seen such a big piece of meat
+roasting for dinner only two or three times in her life. Then we went on
+talking and she spoke of what she usually had at home. Her mother uses
+olive oil in almost everything, just as our cook does. I should think it
+would be better than the lard we have in America, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, for it is much more wholesome. It is obtained from olives,
+you know, instead of the fat of pigs. People would use more of it in
+America if it did not cost so much by the time it has travelled across
+the ocean. But I hear your father's footsteps. Let us go and meet him."
+
+The artist was not alone, for Tessa was with him. She was looking much
+pleased.
+
+"It is raining hard," said Mr. Gray, "and I have just seen Tessa's
+father and asked him to let her spend the night with us. It is too great
+a storm for her to go out in. The little girl has done finely for me
+to-day, and she sat so well that I got along on my picture quite
+rapidly. So she will dine with us to-night and I will tell you stories
+in Italian. After that, we will have games."
+
+Lucy ran and put her arms around Tessa's neck.
+
+"What a good time we shall have," she cried. "Father tells lovely
+stories. Oh, Tessa, I wish you were my own sister."
+
+Tessa turned her big dark eyes to the floor. There were tears in them,
+but they were tears of gladness. She had never had a cross word spoken
+to her in her whole life. She had never been punished for any little
+fault. But her loving little heart had not expected this: that the
+American child who was always dressed so beautifully, whose parents
+seemed so rich in her eyes, should wish a sister like her, a peasant
+girl. She could scarcely believe it.
+
+The dinner seemed a very grand one to Tessa. One surprise was brought in
+after another. There were four separate courses! Last, came a delicious
+ice and frosted cakes. It seemed to the little Italian like a feast of
+the fairies.
+
+After the dinner was over, the family went into the great drawing-room.
+Rugs were stretched here and there over the marble floor. There were
+soft couches and odd, spider-legged tables and chairs.
+
+"We don't own the furniture," Lucy told her visitor. "It belongs here in
+the palace and is the same kind as the prince uses. He lives below us.
+It is beautiful, father thinks, but he does wish we could be warmer on
+these cold, windy days. You have very queer stoves in your country,
+Tessa. You should feel the heat that comes from ours in America." And
+Lucy held her hands over the jar filled with burning charcoal. It
+certainly gave the room little extra warmth.
+
+"You look cold," Tessa answered, with her voice full of sympathy. "I do
+not feel so, though. I suppose it is because I have lived out-of-doors
+most of my life. But think, we do not have much weather like this, and
+it will soon be spring."
+
+Yes, it was true. Christmas would be here in a few days, and then, then,
+the lovely spring would open with its violets, its daisies, and its
+strawberries.
+
+"Are you ready with your story, father?" asked Lucy, as she perched
+herself on the arm of his chair. Arthur stretched himself on a rug at
+his father's feet, and at the same time drew Tessa on her low stool to
+his side.
+
+"I shall have to be ready, at any rate, I think," her father answered,
+laughing. "So prepare to listen closely, for I must speak in Italian,
+that Tessa may understand.
+
+"I wish you to imagine a time of long ago," he went on. "It was before
+any history was written about this country. There were many different
+tribes of people who lived along the shores of the rivers and built
+temples to strange gods. Those people believed in a god of the forest,
+and others of the ocean, the fruits, and the grains. Festivals were held
+in their honour.
+
+"After many years, the country became great and powerful. This city was
+built and ships were sent from it to all parts of the known world. It
+was at this time also that art and poetry flourished. Sculptors modelled
+beautiful statues that we count among our greatest treasures to-day. And
+men wrote great books that you, Lucy and Arthur, will study, by and by.
+
+"One of these writers was Virgil. He wrote in Latin, the language spoken
+by these people. The soft Italian words in use now are pleasant to the
+ear, but not as strong and grand as the old Latin tongue."
+
+"Doesn't any one speak in Latin now, father?" asked Lucy.
+
+"No, my dear. But it is studied, and the books written in Latin are read
+by scholars. Our own English language would be very poor if it had not
+received a great deal of help from the Latin. In fact, the same thing
+can be said of nearly every language used in the Western world to-day.
+But I am afraid you are getting tired. I will go back to my story.
+
+"It was written by the poet Virgil, and tells of the wonderful things
+that happened to a prince called Æneas. He lived in Troy and was always
+called the Pious Æneas. This was because he was so good to his old
+father, and honoured the gods in whom he believed."
+
+"Did he really live, father, or is this only a legend?" asked Arthur.
+
+"We think now it is a legend, but the story is written as if every word
+were true, and belonged to the real history of Italy. But let me go on
+with my story.
+
+"Æneas and his people had been conquered in a great battle, and their
+city was given up to their enemies. The young prince fled in the
+darkness, carrying his father on his back, and leading his little boy by
+the hand. His wife followed behind them. The old man carefully held some
+little images. They must not be left behind or lost, for they
+represented the gods in whom the Trojans believed and whom they
+worshipped.
+
+"When they had gone a little way, Æneas found that his wife was no
+longer following them. What could have happened to her? He looked for
+her everywhere, but it was of no use. No trace of her could be found,
+and she was never heard of again.
+
+"When Æneas and his men reached Mount Ida they built some ships and set
+sail. They would find a new home for themselves."
+
+"But where was their old home, father? You called it Troy," said Lucy.
+
+"Troy was a place in Asia Minor, near the strait with the long name of
+the Hellespont. This strait separates that part of Asia from Greece, and
+the rest of Europe. You can easily find it on your map. But remember
+this, as I go on,--in olden times the ships were small and people knew
+little about the seas or the great ocean, and seldom went far from
+home. What you would think of as a short voyage would have seemed a very
+long one to the people then.
+
+"Many wonderful things happened to Æneas after he left Troy. After a
+while his provisions gave out, and he landed on the shore of an island
+to get some food. He found wild goats grazing there, and his men killed
+some of them. While they were feasting on the flesh of these creatures,
+the harpies appeared. They had the bodies of birds, but the faces of
+ugly old women."
+
+Tessa shuddered. "Are there any real harpies?" she asked, eagerly.
+
+"No, no, Tessa. Remember that this is only a legend.
+
+"These horrible bird-hags flew down into the midst of the Trojans and
+destroyed their dinner. The men shot at them, but the arrows glanced off
+of the feathers, and not one of the harpies was harmed. Although most of
+them flew far away, they were very angry. One of them stayed long
+enough to cry in a harsh voice:
+
+"'You Trojans shall be punished for troubling us. You shall be tossed
+about on the ocean until you reach Italy, and you shall not build a city
+for yourselves until you are so hungry that you will be willing to eat
+the trenchers containing the food.'
+
+"This was what people called a prophecy, and, as Æneas and his men
+believed in such things, it made them feel far from cheerful.
+
+"He sailed away, however, and came at length to another place, where he
+found old friends. His cousin, Helenus, who had also been driven away
+from Troy, was ruling there, and he had built a new city for himself and
+his comrades.
+
+"Helenus was a prophet, as it seemed, and he told Æneas that after he
+reached Italy he would find an old white sow with thirty little pigs
+around her. He must build a city for himself wherever he should find
+her.
+
+"Æneas had many other adventures after leaving Helenus. Among other
+things, he met a horrible giant who had lost the sight of his one eye,
+but was still terrible. After this, the old father of Æneas died, and
+the son's sad loss was followed by a fearful storm in which the men
+nearly gave up hope of seeing land again. The ships were driven far to
+the south.
+
+"After the wind had died down and the waves had grown calmer, the
+homeless wanderers came to a quiet bay. They landed and found a lovely
+queen who treated Æneas so kindly that he almost forgot the city he had
+planned to build in Italy. But after awhile the god Mercury appeared to
+him and reminded him of his duty.
+
+"He set sail once more, leaving the beautiful queen so unhappy that she
+killed herself with a sword her visitor had left behind. There were
+many other adventures, but, at last, Æneas came to the shores of Italy,
+where he rested in a grove. He and his followers sat around on the grass
+to eat. They used large, round cakes for plates on which to place the
+meat. After it was gone, they began to eat the cakes. Then Æneas's
+little son said:
+
+"'We are eating our trenchers.'
+
+"When he heard these words Æneas thought of the harpy's prophecy. He
+knew at once that his home was to be here."
+
+"Was it where Rome stands now?" asked Lucy.
+
+"No, the place was called Cumæ. There is another story about the
+building of Rome which you may like to hear some other evening. Let us
+play games for awhile, and then, little ones, for bed and pleasant
+dreams."
+
+Every one joined in a game of blind man's buff. Tessa had never played
+it before and she enjoyed it very much. Then she showed them how to play
+one of the games she had learned from the children of her own village.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+CHRISTMAS
+
+
+"MOTHER," said Lucy, one day late in December, "Tessa says she never
+gets presents on Christmas Day. Those always come on Twelfth Night in
+Italy. What a queer idea! But she says there are processions in the
+churches, and all sorts of beautiful sights. Will father take us to
+Saint Peter's then, do you think?"
+
+Lucy had only been in Italy six months and there were many interesting
+things she had not seen yet.
+
+"Certainly," answered her mother. "Your father and I have been thinking
+of asking both Tessa and Beppo to spend Christmas week with us. You will
+enjoy the sights all the more if you have them with you. What do you
+think?"
+
+Lucy was so pleased she jumped up and down in delight.
+
+"You good, kind mother," she cried. "Of course, it will be lovely."
+
+That very night Tessa's father was asked if he would be willing his
+children should visit the artist's family. The good man's face beamed
+with pride. Oh, yes, he was only too glad they should have such an
+honour and pleasure. He knew his wife would also rejoice.
+
+There was to be no trouble about the clothes. A new suit was already
+waiting for Beppo, while the artist's wife had herself made two pretty
+dresses for Tessa.
+
+"You are too kind," cried the peasant. His hands seemed to say this as
+well as his voice. What would an Italian do without hands to help him in
+talking? Sometimes they seem to express more than his voice.
+
+In this way it came to pass that Tessa and Beppo bade good-bye to the
+little village on the hillside for nearly two weeks. They must be home
+at Twelfth Night, however, to bring presents to mother and Francesca.
+Oh, yes, there was no doubt of that.
+
+But in the meantime it was to be a holiday. The children were not to sit
+as models for one minute. The artist would let his brushes rest and go
+about the city with his family and their young visitors.
+
+Christmas Eve came at last, although the hours before it arrived seemed
+like weeks to the excited children.
+
+A carriage drove up to the palace door. They were all to drive to a
+beautiful church called Santa Maria Maggiore, where the Pope himself
+would be that night.
+
+"Why is he such a great man, and why do the people give him such
+reverence?" asked Arthur.
+
+Tessa heard the question. Her pretty face flushed. "Why, Arthur, he is
+the head of our church, the Catholic Church," she answered, quickly. "It
+is not only here in Italy, but all over the world that we Catholics
+honour him!"
+
+The little girl was ignorant about many things in her own city that Lucy
+and Arthur could explain to her, but she had been taught from birth to
+think of the Pope as the most holy person in the world.
+
+But why was the Pope to be present in the church Christmas Eve? The
+children had already been told that on this occasion a piece of the
+cradle in which Jesus had lain was to be carried through the church. At
+least, Tessa and her brother and all good Catholics believed it to be a
+part of his cradle. They thought that by some miracle it had been saved
+for nineteen hundred years, and was now cared for sacredly in their
+loved city. Any one who wished, might look upon it at Christmas time.
+
+The peasant children believed it could do great wonders. Why, if they
+were sick, and even dying, it might save their lives if they were
+allowed to touch it.
+
+Tessa whispered this to Lucy as they mixed with the people entering the
+church. They passed along between two rows of beautiful marble columns.
+They were obliged to move slowly because the crowd was so great. But
+Lucy's father soon led them to the doorway of a small chapel, where they
+could stand while the procession passed up to the altar. The sacred
+cradle was carried first, and behind it followed the Pope with the
+cardinals and other high officers of the church.
+
+The Pope was carried in a chair above the heads of the people and, as he
+passed along, he held out his hands to bless them as they knelt before
+him.
+
+Tessa and Beppo had never looked upon him before. Indeed, they were
+scarcely able to see him or any other part of the procession now,
+because of the great crowd. But they knew he was there and that they
+were near him. This was enough to satisfy their pious little hearts.
+Lucy and Arthur were most pleased to think that these Italian friends
+were made so happy.
+
+"Is that all, father?" Lucy whispered. "It is hot and close here. Can't
+we go home now and have our Christmas tree?"
+
+Her father said that he was quite willing to go, for he saw that his
+wife was as tired as his little daughter.
+
+An hour afterward they were in the great drawing-room at home. Many
+candles gave a soft and pleasant light to the room; for gas and
+electricity were not used in many Roman houses.
+
+A curtain was drawn, and there stood a beautiful Christmas tree,--not
+of pine or balsam, such as Lucy and Arthur would have in America. It was
+of laurel.
+
+"Oh! Oh! Oh!" exclaimed Beppo. He had never seen anything like it
+before, for his people are not used to this custom of having Christmas
+trees. And Tessa's eyes sparkled, too, as she drew one long sigh of
+happiness. What beauty met her eyes! Was it indeed fairy-land,--these
+tiny lights shining on every twig of the tree; gilded oranges hanging
+from the branches; and toys, so many she was sure she could not count
+them.
+
+Could it be true that this lovely wax doll was her very own? Lucy's
+father had said so, but she was afraid she might rub her eyes and wake,
+and find it all a dream.
+
+As for Beppo, he was equally delighted to find himself the owner of a
+jack-knife with four blades, a fine ball with which he could teach the
+American children his favourite game of pallone, in which he was very
+skilful.
+
+There were neither skates nor sleds. They would be of no use in Italy,
+the land of sunny skies, where snow is unknown except on the high
+mountain-tops.
+
+The evening was a merry one, but it came to an end at last.
+
+"To bed, to bed, children," Lucy's mother cried at length. "To-morrow
+there will be more sights, and you must not get sick over your good
+time."
+
+Christmas morning dawned bright and clear.
+
+The children waked early and did not seem any the worse for sitting up
+so late the night before. Soon after breakfast, an open carriage
+appeared at the door of the palace and they all rode off to visit the
+greatest church in the world.
+
+"At last we are on our way to Saint Peter's," said Arthur. "Tessa, you
+may well be proud when you think of the people who come here from all
+parts of the world to see the grand buildings."
+
+Tessa was proud. This was her Italy, her Rome, her Saint Peter's. She, a
+poor little peasant maiden, felt richer at this moment than the owner of
+a million dollars.
+
+The party had to ride over a bridge before they could reach the church.
+
+"Do you know the name of the river over which this bridge is built?"
+Arthur asked his sister.
+
+"The Tiber, the yellow Tiber," she answered gaily. "You ought to
+remember, Arthur, that father read us the poem a few days ago about the
+guarding of the bridge. It made a shiver creep down my back when I
+thought of the three men holding the bridge against the army of their
+enemies. It stretched across this very river."
+
+"It was hundreds of years ago," Lucy went on, turning toward Tessa,
+"that those brave men saved the city. They kept the enemy from entering
+until the bridge was cut down. The last one stood on guard until he felt
+the supports give way. Then he cried out to the river:
+
+    "'O Tiber, Father Tiber, to whom the Romans pray,
+    A Roman's life, a Roman's arms take thou in charge this day.'
+
+"An instant afterward he jumped into the rushing stream and swam with
+all his might back to his people and the city he had saved."
+
+"Did he escape?" Beppo asked. "I should think his enemies would have
+killed him before he was able to get out of the reach of their weapons."
+
+"They admired his bravery so much they had mercy on him and did not try
+to hit him after he jumped into the water. Then they turned away, for
+they could not reach Rome now that the bridge was destroyed."
+
+As Lucy finished the story she could not help saying to herself, "I do
+hope Tessa and Beppo will be able to go to school and study about this
+grand country of theirs. They love it as dearly as I love America, but
+they do not know as much of the history of its great men as I do now."
+
+Her father was thinking at the same time, "What a pity it is there are
+so many poor and ignorant people in Italy. How I wish the children of
+to-day could grow up and make the country what it was once."
+
+The sun was shining so brightly by this time that the girls had to raise
+their parasols to shade their eyes as they looked along the crowded
+street. It was filled with carriages all going in the same direction as
+themselves. The sidewalks, too, were packed closely. There were all
+kinds of people; lords and ladies, priests in their shovel hats,
+cardinals in their elegant robes. All would soon enter the great
+church. Their faces looked happy and full of joy.
+
+"Shall we not be crowded worse than we were last night?" asked Mrs.
+Gray. She looked a little bit worried.
+
+"O no, you need have no fear about that," her husband replied. "Forty
+thousand people can easily gather in Saint Peter's and then it will not
+be full, by any means."
+
+The carriage stopped in front of a long covered archway built of marble.
+They stepped down and, entering it, soon found themselves in the court
+in front of the church.
+
+The church itself is built in the shape of an immense cross, and where
+the four lines of the cross meet, there is a huge dome overhead.
+
+"I can see the dome of Saint Peter's from my home on the mountain,"
+Tessa said to Lucy. "If I were far away in another part of the world, I
+am sure I should picture it in my mind whenever I thought of Rome."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+SAINT PETER'S
+
+
+THE children now entered the great building. What a glory of colour was
+around them. There was a blaze of gold and purple and crimson. The
+windows were set with glass of all the beautiful tints of the rainbow.
+The floors were laid in small pieces of marble in exquisite patterns.
+
+"Oh, Lucy, Lucy," whispered Tessa, "look at the walls and pillars! Gems
+such as your mother wears are shining there. And how beautifully they
+are carved."
+
+Lucy's only answer was, "Look overhead, Tessa, and see the paintings.
+There are the figures of the apostles. They appear as large as life,
+although we are so far below them."
+
+[Illustration: IN ST. PETER'S]
+
+Just then her father told her to notice the pen in St. Luke's hand.
+
+"I have been told that it is seven feet in length," he said, "yet it is
+so far away it seems only as long as the one you use at home, Lucy."
+
+Soft music was now heard pealing from the organ, and they moved slowly
+along to the seats Mr. Gray had engaged for them.
+
+"Look, look, Lucy!" whispered Tessa, a few minutes after. "He is coming,
+and we can see him to-day, I am sure."
+
+It was the Pope, of course. Two enormous fans could be seen waving at
+the other end of the great building. The procession of priests and
+cardinals, in their purple robes, moved slowly and grandly along. The
+Pope was behind them in a chair carried on poles by twelve bearers. The
+fans were kept waving on each side of the great man.
+
+As he passed onward between the rows of soldiers in their gorgeous
+uniforms, they knelt before him.
+
+"He holds out only two fingers of his hand over the bent heads of the
+people. That is all there is of the blessing, I suppose," said Arthur.
+"But he smiles pleasantly, and has a kind face."
+
+At last the procession reached the altar. The Pope stood up before the
+people, and they could see he was robed in white. He chanted the
+service, after which a choir of beautiful voices began to sing. The
+balcony where the singers stood was richly gilded.
+
+When the service was ended, Mr. Gray told the children to wait quietly
+where they were.
+
+"When most of the people have passed out," he said, "we will walk about
+and examine this beautiful cathedral more carefully. There is a great
+deal you have not seen yet."
+
+In a few minutes the building was nearly empty, and Mr. Gray led the
+way from one part of it to another. He opened the door into one of the
+chapels at the side.
+
+"Look within," he said. "This chapel is as large as an ordinary church.
+Yet there are a number just like it which lead from the main part of the
+cathedral. They seem tiny beside it, though."
+
+Tessa and Beppo loved to stop at the different shrines where the figures
+of Jesus and his mother, Mary, were always found. They were beautifully
+carved and sparkled with rich jewels.
+
+"Now let us visit the statue of St. Peter himself," said Mr. Gray. "Some
+say it was never meant for that good man, but is really the likeness of
+a heathen emperor. But nearly every one who worships here does not wish
+to believe that. And so many visitors have come here to give him honour
+that one toe of the statue is a good deal worn off."
+
+"Why, what do you mean, father?" asked Lucy.
+
+"Just what I said, my dear. It is thought to be quite proper to kiss the
+toe of the statue of St. Peter. I don't know how the fashion started,
+but, at any rate, I believe thousands upon thousands of people have
+knelt before the statue and done that very thing. You can see the marks
+of it for yourself."
+
+After St. Peter had been duly examined, Mr. Gray proposed that a visit
+should be made to the wonderful dome.
+
+"But there are a good many stairs to climb. Do you think, wife, that you
+will be able to mount them?"
+
+"If the little girls can do it, I am sure that I can," replied Mrs.
+Gray, as she turned to Tessa and Lucy. It was quite easy to see by their
+smiles and nods that they were eager to try it.
+
+"Then let us start at once," said her husband, beckoning to a guide to
+show the way.
+
+They passed through a door in the side of the church, and entered a
+passage which wound round and round, yet up and still up, till they
+reached a balcony around the foot of the dome. The stairway by which
+they had come was so broad and rose so gradually that one could easily
+mount it on horseback.
+
+"Many a person has ridden to the top on a donkey," the guide told the
+children, which amused them very much.
+
+As they looked down from the balcony, the people in the body of the
+church seemed like tiny dolls, they were so far below.
+
+"But this is not all," said Mr. Gray. "As soon as you stop panting, we
+will go higher yet."
+
+"All ready, father," said Lucy, after a five minutes' rest. "I'm sure we
+are equal to another climb now."
+
+The next flight of stairs was very narrow. It led to another balcony
+around the top of the dome.
+
+"Do not think this is all," said Mr. Gray. "We can go higher yet, for we
+have not reached the lantern."
+
+After much puffing and gasping for breath, and the climbing of more
+narrow stairs, they found themselves in a large room inside the lantern.
+As they looked out of the windows in that lofty place, a wonderful view
+was spread before their eyes. Below was the square, and leading out from
+it were many archways with curved tops, like the one through which the
+children first entered the church. The palace of the Pope was at hand,
+with its wonderful library and art treasures.
+
+Beyond, across the Tiber, lay the great city, with its palaces,
+fountains, temples, and the ruins of the greatest and finest buildings
+in the world; some of them two thousand years old.
+
+"I can look far out upon the sea that Columbus first sailed," exclaimed
+Arthur. "Indeed, it seems as if I could almost see Spain, where he went
+to get help. You know the story of Columbus, don't you, Beppo?"
+
+The Italian lad shook his head. No, but he wished to hear it. Would
+Arthur tell him the story some day?
+
+Arthur said he would be glad to do so, for, although Columbus was an
+Italian, he felt that he belonged to America. Where would he be now, if
+Columbus had not discovered the new world? Who should say?
+
+"Look straight down at the roof of the church below us," cried Lucy.
+"Did you ever hear of anything so odd? There is a little cottage! The
+idea of a house built on the roof of a church! What can be the reason
+for its being there?"
+
+"It is only a room made for the workmen," said the guide. "They are busy
+all the time repairing the church in one part or another."
+
+"Now let us go home and have the Christmas dinner," said Mr. Gray, after
+they had rested a few moments longer.
+
+An hour afterward the children were gathered around the great
+dining-table. But there was no Christmas turkey in the middle. There was
+a dish of larks instead!
+
+"Poor little birds," said Lucy. "It is too bad to kill tiny things like
+you, that we may have something nice to eat."
+
+"What is the bird of your country, Beppo?" asked Arthur.
+
+"I don't know, but I think it ought to be the nightingale," the little
+Italian answered. "Ah! I love to hear him, he sings so sweetly." The
+boy's face lighted up as he said this. "And what is the bird of America,
+Arthur?" he asked.
+
+"The eagle has been chosen, but I think it ought to be the turkey, for
+my country gave that glorious fowl to the world."
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Gray laughed at Arthur's words, but a moment after his
+father said:
+
+"I quite agree with you, my boy. The turkey truly belongs to us, while
+the eagle is not only found in many other lands, but it has been the
+national emblem of several countries."
+
+The Christmas holidays passed only too quickly, and the day before
+Twelfth Night soon arrived. The shops were full of things suitable for
+presents, and a great fair was held in the city, around which crowds of
+Italians were busy buying their gifts. Beppo and Tessa wandered up and
+down with their American friends.
+
+They were perplexed as to what they should get for their dear ones at
+home. There were many things from which to choose. They felt as though
+they had quite a little fortune to spend, for Mr. Gray had given each
+of them what would be equal to a dollar in our money.
+
+They had never had so much money before, and they turned from one thing
+to another before they finally decided upon a dress and a big gilt
+brooch for their mother, a new hat for their father, and little red kid
+shoes for Francesca.
+
+"She never had any shoes in her life," Tessa told Lucy. "I never had any
+either, till your mother gave me these."
+
+When the peasant called at the palace to take the children home, he
+brought great news.
+
+"We have a new baby," he said. "It is a beautiful boy just a day old.
+And now we must have a christening as soon as Twelfth Night is over. We
+will ask the kind artist and his wife, as well as our own friends, to
+come."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE CHRISTENING
+
+
+TESSA and Beppo were so eager to see the precious baby, they could
+hardly wait to get home. They were even a little cross with Pietro when
+he stopped to nibble choice bits of grass by the roadside. But what
+could a poor stupid donkey be expected to care about a baby only a day
+old?
+
+Home was reached at last, however, and the children bounded into the
+dark room where their mother lay watching for them. A small basket
+cradle stood beside the curtained bed; in it was the sweetest, tiniest
+baby.
+
+"He is sound asleep, mamma," said Tessa, after kissing her mother at
+least a dozen times. "How I wish he would wake."
+
+"I do believe he looks like me, the darling little boy," she exclaimed,
+when the baby's eyes opened at last.
+
+The kind neighbour who had come in to look after the family for a few
+days lifted the baby tenderly and placed him in Tessa's arms. He was so
+swaddled in clothes and blankets it didn't seem as though he could be
+hurt, even if the little girl should drop the precious bundle. But there
+was no fear of that. She was used to babies, and had taken almost all
+the care of Francesca since that little girl was a month old.
+
+But where was Francesca now? The little tot was holding fast to her
+sister's dress. She wanted to be as near as possible to this wonderful
+new brother. When he began to cry, she said:
+
+"Baby wants the candle; baby wants the candle." She thought he had
+already begun to notice things about the room, and was longing for the
+lighted candle. Everybody laughed.
+
+"He is hungry; that is all, you foolish Francesca. You are only a baby
+yourself," said Beppo.
+
+After the baby had been put back in the cradle, Tessa went to the
+bedside of her mother and told her of her lovely visit to the grand home
+of the Americans.
+
+"To-morrow, when you are not so tired, I will tell you more about it.
+But after all home is the best place in the world. Now that I can look
+at you, I don't care if I can't see the procession to-morrow. Just
+think! babbo says that an image of the Holy Child is carried up and down
+the aisles of one of the churches. It is richly dressed in silks and
+jewels. After awhile it is placed on a stage with wax figures of the
+Virgin and Joseph and the Three Wise Men. There is even a manger there,
+and a big cow or ox. It must be very beautiful."
+
+"When you are older, we will go together," said the mother, softly. "I
+went to Rome on Twelfth Day several times when I was younger. But many
+things have happened to prevent it lately." She sighed as she thought of
+the sickness and the hard work of the last few years.
+
+All the next day Francesca was so happy with the bright red shoes that
+she did not need to be watched. Every one, except the dear mother lying
+quietly behind the snowy bed-curtains, was busy preparing for the
+christening.
+
+A bright fire was kept burning, and the odour of onions and garlic
+filled the kitchen. There must be all sorts of nice dishes at the
+morrow's feast, and the good neighbour was cooking from morning till
+night.
+
+Among other things, she prepared some wonderful cakes. Tessa thought
+they were among the greatest dainties in the world. There were olives
+and pistachio-nuts and garlic in them, I am sure. Tessa would have to
+tell you the rest, for she helped in making them.
+
+Every one was awake bright and early the next morning, and a crowd of
+the village people went with the father and baby to the little village
+church. Tessa and Beppo kept as near as possible to their new brother.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Gray, with Lucy and Arthur, arrived in a carriage just as
+the party was entering the church door. The children had begged so hard
+to come that their parents could not refuse.
+
+Tessa and Lucy hugged and kissed each other as though they had been
+apart for a long time.
+
+When all had entered the church, the baby was carried to the font and
+was baptized by the kind-faced priest.
+
+What was his name now, you ask? It was Angelo, after his proud father,
+who handed him around among his friends as soon as the baptism was over.
+Every one must have a chance to kiss him. As he was passed from one to
+another, a piece of money was tucked away in his clothes by each one.
+
+No matter how poor the person was, some little bit was given with a
+right good will. It was but a symbol of the love and friendship of these
+simple peasants for each other.
+
+When Mr. Gray's turn came, he hid in the baby's dress a piece of money
+so big as to make his mother's eyes open with delight when it was shown
+her afterward. She had never before seen a gold coin worth ten dollars
+in her life.
+
+The christening party now turned back to the house, where the mother lay
+waiting for them. The feast was all spread and the visitors gathered
+around the table with good appetites. Lucy and Arthur and their parents
+stayed, for Tessa's father looked quite hurt when they spoke of going
+home.
+
+"Not stop to share our feast!" he cried. "Ah! that is sad! sad!"
+
+And so they remained and took part in the merrymaking. Some of the
+villagers played on their bagpipes. Tessa performed a very pretty dance,
+and Beppo sang two songs with his rich, soft voice.
+
+"We have had a lovely time," said Lucy, as the beautiful colours began
+to light the sunset sky, and her father bade her get ready to leave.
+"But we wish Tessa and Beppo to come home and stay with us another week.
+Don't we, father?"
+
+Mr. Gray answered, "Yes, we should like it very much. After my holiday,
+I must paint quite steadily, and I wish to finish the picture of Tessa
+and Beppo at once. It would not be easy for you to bring the children to
+me every day now that your wife is sick. So please let them go back
+with us."
+
+This was how Tessa and Beppo came to go back to Rome with the family of
+the artist. The carriage was a little crowded, but no one cared. All
+were so busy laughing and talking that it seemed only a few minutes
+before they drew near the city gates.
+
+"I believe it was not far from here that Agrippa told the people the
+fable so often repeated since that time."
+
+The painter was looking out of the carriage over the Campagna.
+
+"I wish I knew the exact spot," he said, half to himself.
+
+"Tell us about it; do, please, father," said Lucy. "What was the fable,
+and who was Agrippa, and why did he come out on this dreary place to
+tell a story?"
+
+"It was a long time ago; even long before the birth of Jesus," Mr. Gray
+replied. "It was when Rome was a powerful city. There were two great
+classes of the people,--the patricians, who were rich and owned most of
+the land, and the plebeians, who had little power and were mostly poor.
+
+"The patricians ruled the city to suit themselves and did not treat the
+plebeians justly. At last, when they could not stand this unfair
+treatment any longer, they came together and marched out of the city.
+
+"'We will claim our rights,' they said, and made ready to attack the
+patricians, who remained in Rome.
+
+"It was a time of danger for the city, since there was a greater number
+of the poor than of the rich. What should be done? A very wise man named
+Agrippa was chosen to go out on the Campagna and reason with the
+plebeians. When he drew near to them, he said:
+
+"'I have a fable which I wish to tell you. It is this:
+
+"'Once upon a time all the limbs of a man's body became provoked because
+they had to work for the stomach. The legs and feet were obliged to
+carry it about; the hands had to get food for it; the mouth ate for it;
+the throat swallowed for it; the head thought for it; and so on. They
+said it was a shame they had to work so hard for that one organ. What
+use was it, indeed!
+
+"'They agreed to do nothing more for it at all. They stopped their work,
+but, strange to say, they began to grow weak and helpless. At last they
+said to each other, "We shall all starve and die unless we go back to
+our old work. The stomach has seemed useless to us before, but now we
+see that we were mistaken."'
+
+"After he had ended his story, Agrippa went on to say that all classes
+of people depended on each other, and that all would perish unless they
+worked together.
+
+"Both the poor and the rich seemed to think that this was good advice.
+The plebeians marched back into the city and took up their old work,
+while the patricians promised to be fairer in their dealings.
+
+"Thus peace was made and Rome was saved."
+
+As Mr. Gray finished the story the carriage drew up in front of their
+home.
+
+"What a short ride it seemed," said Tessa. "It must have been because of
+the story you told us, Mr. Gray. I shall never forget it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE TWINS
+
+
+"TESSA and Beppo are two of the best models I ever had," said Mr. Gray.
+"They were perfectly quiet and did just what I wished. My picture is
+finished and you must all come up and look at it."
+
+It was a sunny afternoon nearly a week after the christening of Tessa's
+baby brother. Lucy and Arthur were in the drawing-room with their mother
+when Mr. Gray opened the door with these words.
+
+There was a great scampering over the stairs as the two children tried
+to see who could reach the studio first.
+
+"Oh, how lovely, how lovely!" cried Lucy, who was the winner of the
+race. She was standing in front of the canvas.
+
+And what do you think she saw? A little flower-girl out on the Campagna.
+She sat on the back of a donkey that certainly looked much like Pietro.
+The girl's bare feet were almost hidden by two great bags of fruit
+hanging from the donkey's sides.
+
+In her lap was a basket of flowers that she would sell in the city
+to-day. A boy who was the very image of Beppo held the donkey's bridle.
+
+"How beautiful you have made Tessa's curls," said Lucy. "But they are
+not a bit lovelier than hers really are. Look at the feather in Beppo's
+pointed hat, Arthur, and the gaiters buttoned up to the knees. And see
+the brown cloak thrown over his shoulders. It's the very way he wears
+it."
+
+"But you haven't noticed the herd of oxen in the distance," said the
+modest little Tessa. She was quite abashed by the attention given to the
+figures of her brother and herself. "They are going back to the
+hillside for the night. What a lovely soft gray they are painted. I love
+these dear gentle creatures. They could do great harm with their large,
+spreading horns, but they are too kind for that."
+
+"Yes, and see the shepherds standing in that field of daisies," said
+Beppo. "More than once my father and I have stayed all night in just
+such a place when the storm overtook us and we could not get home."
+
+"How I love the mountains, far away in the soft light," said Mrs. Gray.
+"They make a beautiful background for the rest of the picture."
+
+"When you have admired it as much as you like, I think we had better
+take a half-holiday and see some of the sights," proposed Mr. Gray. "It
+is only two o'clock now; how soon can you all be ready?"
+
+"In five minutes, can't we, mother?" said Lucy, who was always
+delighted to have her father's company. He was usually so busy he could
+not often go anywhere with them.
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Gray. "We will not delay. Get your hats, children; we
+can come here to-morrow to enjoy the picture again."
+
+This time they decided to walk, that the children might stop wherever
+they wished.
+
+"What is this show? Oh, do look!" cried Tessa, as they came to a big box
+set up on the side of the street. A man could be seen partly hidden
+behind the curtain. He was making some puppets act out a little play. He
+changed his voice so as to represent first one, then another.
+
+"That is a Punch and Judy show," said Arthur. "You may watch it while I
+go over to that little flower-girl's stand. I am going to buy a bunch of
+pansies for mother. I think that is the girl's grandfather standing by
+her side. He must be lame, for he has a crutch. I suppose they are very
+poor. Perhaps that child supports them both."
+
+After Arthur had bought his flowers, they walked on till they came to a
+shrine set up against the wall. It was a picture of Saint Mary and the
+infant Jesus in a rough wooden frame.
+
+Tessa and Beppo knelt before it and were very quiet for a minute or two.
+
+"They are repeating some prayers," whispered Lucy to her brother, as
+they passed slowly on. "When we rode back from Tessa's home the other
+night, I noticed she suddenly stopped talking and shut her eyes when we
+passed one of those shrines out on the Campagna."
+
+"She is a good little Catholic."
+
+"Arthur, look at that poor donkey. You can't see anything but his legs
+and his nose. He is carrying such a big load of hay that the rest of his
+body is out of sight."
+
+Their father came up to them at this moment, and said: "How would you
+like to take a carriage now and visit the Coliseum? We still have plenty
+of time, and I have never been there with you."
+
+"Good! good!" cried the children.
+
+While they were waiting for the carriage they bought some of the big
+Italian chestnuts at a stand where a boy stood roasting them for the
+passers-by.
+
+They had not ridden far before they came upon a crowd of people around a
+fire.
+
+"What are they doing?" asked Lucy.
+
+"I think I know," Tessa answered. "They are heating pine-cones so as to
+get the seeds. Did you ever eat them, Lucy? I am very fond of them."
+
+"What a queer idea! But then, your pine-trees are different from any I
+have seen growing at home. I don't doubt they are very nice."
+
+When they drove up in front of the Coliseum, they saw before them one of
+the grandest ruins in the world. It was built when Rome was still a
+great city, and was made to hold eighty thousand people.
+
+"Why do you speak of it as a 'sacred ruin,' father?" asked Arthur.
+
+"Whenever we look at it we think of the Christians who suffered terrible
+deaths there because of what they believed," Mr. Gray answered. "The
+Coliseum was finished about seventy years after the birth of Jesus. It
+was the place where the public games went on and where the wild beast
+shows and fights were held.
+
+"You can see that one side of the great wall of the building is still
+standing in pretty good condition. It was made in the shape of an oval,
+as you also see. Now, imagine an open space, or arena, in the middle,
+and all around it rows on rows of seats, built one above the other.
+
+"Listen! Can't you imagine you hear the roars of wild beasts that were
+once kept in vaults beneath the building? When they were needed they
+were drawn up in their cages into the arena.
+
+"After the spectators had taken their seats, a signal was given and the
+doors of the cages were flung open. The furious beasts would rush out
+and frightful scenes would follow. The creatures were either set against
+each other or against men who had been sentenced to death."
+
+"And would people go to see such terrible things for their own
+pleasure?" asked Tessa. Her face was full of pain at the idea.
+
+"Yes, my dear. It showed that the city was in a bad state when the
+Romans could take delight in seeing other creatures suffer, whether they
+were men or beasts," was the answer.
+
+"But I told you that we of to-day hold the place sacred to the
+Christians. That is because in those sad times they were cruelly put to
+death here. One good bishop, I remember, was killed by lions in this
+very spot. But he went to his death cheerfully,--he was glad to be a
+martyr to his faith."
+
+"It looks bright and pleasant now," said Mrs. Gray. "It is hard to
+believe that such dreadful things ever took place here. See the pretty
+vines growing out between the stones in the wall; and listen to the
+shouts of those boys as they run and jump among the ruins."
+
+As the children seemed ready for a change, Mr. Gray proposed that they
+should visit the Capitol, where they could see many beautiful statues;
+after which, they must go home, for the afternoon was nearly gone.
+
+That evening Lucy took her place on one arm of her father's chair and
+told Tessa to take the other.
+
+"Now, boys," said she, "stop talking and be quiet, and perhaps father
+won't be too tired to tell us about the building of Rome. Will you,
+father dear?"
+
+Mr. Gray could never refuse his little daughter when she spoke like
+that. And if this had not been enough, there were Tessa's great soft
+eyes looking at him. They seemed to say, "Oh, do, please, tell us,"
+although Tessa herself was too shy to ask him with her voice.
+
+"About Rome, you say. All right.
+
+"Once upon a time there were two little boys--"
+
+"But when was this 'once upon a time?'" interrupted Arthur. "You began
+the story of Æneas with the very same words."
+
+"It was quite a while after Æneas settled in Italy. The two boys were
+his great-great-great-grandchildren; thirteen times great, I believe.
+Their mother was a vestal virgin,--that is, she was a maiden who tended
+the sacred fire in the temple of the goddess Vesta. Such maidens were
+treated with great honour, but they were not allowed to marry.
+
+"So the people were very angry when the young girl claimed that the god
+Mars was her husband, and that the two baby boys were his and her
+children. So the poor girl was buried alive, while the helpless babies
+were put in a trough and set afloat on the river Tiber."
+
+"Poor little things! Were they drowned?" asked Beppo.
+
+"No, for if they had been, there would be no more story to tell," said
+Mr. Gray.
+
+"It happened that the river was very high at that time and had
+overflowed its banks, just as it sometimes does nowadays. The water
+settled down soon afterward and the two boys were left high and dry on
+the bank.
+
+"And now what do you suppose came along and saw the children?"
+
+"Some bad men," answered Arthur.
+
+"The boys' mother, who had escaped from her grave," guessed Beppo.
+
+"No. It was a mother wolf, who carried them home to her lair and fondled
+and nursed them," was the answer.
+
+"After a while a shepherd discovered the babies with their adopted
+mother. He was a good man, with a kind heart, and took them home to his
+wife. She gave them the names Romulus and Remus, and brought them up to
+be shepherds like her husband."
+
+"Oh, father, do you suppose all this was really true?" asked Lucy.
+
+"No more than the story of Æneas. I think it is a legend handed down by
+the people for thousands of years. But listen, for I have not finished,
+and it spoils the story to be all the time wondering whether it is true
+or not.
+
+"When the twin brothers grew up, they fought in a battle that took place
+between the shepherds of the boys' grandfather, who ought to have been
+king, and those of the wrongful ruler of the country.
+
+"Romulus and Remus did such brave deeds that they were noticed and taken
+before their grandfather. After many questions, he discovered who they
+really were. They gathered an army together, and marching out to battle,
+seized the country in their grandfather's name.
+
+"They must build a city now for themselves, they thought. They looked
+over the seven hills on which Rome now stands. They said the city must
+be on one of these hills, but which hill should it be? Romulus chose
+one, and Remus another. They could not agree. Their grandfather said,
+'Watch for a sign from the gods.' So Romulus took his place on the hill
+he had chosen, and Remus on his.
+
+"Remus was the first to see any sign from heaven. It was six vultures
+flying. But Romulus soon saw twelve of these birds, and so the right
+was given him to found the city on the Palatine Hill. The people chose
+him king.
+
+"But Remus was angry. He thought he should have been given the right to
+found the city, as he had been the first to see birds.
+
+"As the mud walls were being built around the place where the city was
+to stand, he leaped over them in scorn. His brother looked upon this as
+an insult, and killed him on the spot, saying, 'Every one who leaps over
+the walls of my city shall perish even as you do.'
+
+"After this sad deed the work went on. Romulus marked out his city in
+the shape of a square. It is said that he did this with a plough. He
+said, 'I will call my city Rome.'
+
+"He lived here in a hut made of mud, with a thatched roof.
+
+"That was the beginning of this wonderful city, so the people will tell
+you."
+
+Tessa nodded her head; she and Beppo had heard the story before, and
+fully believed it to be true.
+
+"How long ago do they say all this happened, father?" asked Lucy.
+
+"They claim that Rome was built 753 years before the birth of Christ. If
+it is now 1,903 years since his birth, how many years old is Rome?"
+
+"Let me see: 753 and 1,903 are 2,656. It was 2,656 years ago. Whew! what
+a long time," said Arthur. "Many things have happened since then."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE CARNIVAL
+
+
+IT was now February. Tessa and Beppo had been home for several weeks.
+The baby was growing fast; the mother was strong again and rosy; while
+the extra money which the children had earned as models for Mr. Gray had
+made the family very comfortable.
+
+"How would you like to go to the carnival?" the father asked.
+
+The family were gathered around the table where the dish of polenta had
+just been placed. Polenta, you must know, is a kind of porridge made of
+corn (maize) meal. It was the only food the children would have for
+supper that night. But that did not seem to trouble them. They all
+looked happy, even before they heard the word carnival.
+
+But this had a wonderful effect. Tessa jumped up, caught the baby out of
+his cradle, and began to dance about the room. Beppo seized his violin
+and started a lively air. Their mother began to laugh, while little
+Francesca looked from one to another in surprise. She could not
+understand what the sudden excitement was about.
+
+When Tessa had danced herself nearly out of breath, she ran and put her
+arms around her father's neck.
+
+"Oh, babbo, babbo! do you really mean it?" she cried. "I have never been
+to the carnival, and I have heard so much about the beautiful festival."
+
+Then her mother spoke. She blushed like a young girl as she said to her
+husband:
+
+"It would seem like old times before we were married, to go to the gay
+carnival together. But how shall we manage it with our family of four
+children?"
+
+"I have fixed all that," her husband answered. "We are to stay with your
+cousin Lola in the city. She will keep us through the week for a small
+sum, as she says she has an extra room that she will be glad to have us
+use.
+
+"So get ready, wife, and look as fine as possible in your new blue skirt
+and the red bodice below the white blouse. Do not forget to wear the
+fringed kerchief on your pretty head. It is the one I gave you when you
+were a gay young girl."
+
+His wife promised to make herself look as fine as possible, as she
+blushed more deeply than ever.
+
+The carnival! The carnival! Is it any wonder that Tessa and her brother
+slept but little that night, and that when they did, they dreamed of
+processions and bonbons and clowns and flower-decked wagons and all
+sorts of strange sights?
+
+Their father hired a donkey from one of his neighbours for Tessa and
+Francesca to ride on. Pietro was to carry their mother and the baby.
+
+When at last they were ready to start, they were a merry sight. Beppo
+and Tessa had gathered quantities of wild flowers to use at the
+carnival, so that Tessa and her mother looked as though they were in the
+middle of travelling gardens.
+
+"If these give out," Beppo had told his sister, "we can go over to the
+Coliseum and get wallflowers and some other pretty blossoms that grow in
+the crevices of the walls. They must be in bloom by this time. We must
+throw many a bouquet to Lucy and her brother."
+
+The city looked bright and gay as the peasant and his family drew near.
+The streets were filled with carriages; the sidewalks were lined with
+people; while the houses were decked with bright-coloured carpets,
+mats, and all sorts of hangings.
+
+Merry parties had already seated themselves in the balconies, for it was
+one o'clock on the first day of the carnival.
+
+What does this word "carnival" mean? you ask. It is another name for
+"farewell to meat," and the great festival of Italy is always held
+during the week before the beginning of Lent. All the days except Sunday
+and Friday are given up to merrymaking, which grows more and more lively
+until the last night.
+
+The children go to bed and get up whenever they like. There is no
+scolding, no cross word; and even if the sport becomes very rough, every
+one takes it with good nature.
+
+Tessa and Beppo went with the rest of the family to their cousin's home
+on the ground floor of a tall stone building. But they rested only a few
+moments.
+
+"Take the donkeys, children, and ride off to see the sights," said their
+father. "Your mother and I will stay and talk with our friends awhile
+before we go out."
+
+They did not need to be told twice, and were soon in the midst of a
+merry crowd on the Corso, as one of the principal streets of Rome is
+called.
+
+"Look, look, Beppo," said Tessa. "Do see that wagon full of clowns and
+queerly dressed people. They are having great sport. They are pelting
+every one with confetti. We shall get hit if we don't take care."
+
+"We'll get some confetti ourselves," answered Beppo. "We must not wait
+any longer."
+
+The two children stopped their donkeys in front of a stand covered with
+tiny lime-balls. Perhaps you would call them plaster candies. They were
+no larger than peas, and looked nice enough to eat.
+
+[Illustration: "WERE SOON IN THE MIDST OF A MERRY CROWD"]
+
+"Now for fun," said Beppo, when each had purchased a big bag of
+confetti.
+
+At this moment, some boys, who were close behind, gave Pietro's tail a
+sudden pull and Tessa fell forward as he jumped about. Before she could
+get up, she felt a shower of confetti falling over her neck and
+shoulders.
+
+A loud laugh went up from the bystanders. Tessa laughed, too, as she
+brushed the powdery balls to right and left.
+
+A moment after, another shower came falling about her. But this time it
+was made of sugar almonds, which a little girl was scattering from a
+balcony. She must have liked Tessa's pretty face and wished to give her
+a treat.
+
+There was a great scrambling for the candy. The mischievous boys who had
+thrown the confetti got most of it, I fear, but Tessa enjoyed it,
+nevertheless.
+
+"Look at the lovely carriage ahead of us," she cried. "It is lined with
+white. Aren't the ladies in it pretty, Beppo? That seat in front of
+them is just loaded with bouquets and confetti. They are standing up now
+to throw better."
+
+Beppo didn't care for this half as much as for the wagon-loads of people
+dressed in bright colours and wearing masks.
+
+"Look at that man, Tessa, before he is out of sight. Yes, it must be a
+man, though he is dressed like a woman. See his false curls hanging down
+under the bonnet, and hear him talk. He keeps every one around him
+laughing. Let's put on our masks and then ride past Lucy's house. She
+won't know us if she sees us."
+
+Beppo had made some rude masks before the children left home. After they
+had put them on, they felt sure no one would know them as they rode
+through the lively crowd.
+
+"Look up at the second balcony," whispered Tessa, as she came up close
+to her brother's side. "There are Lucy and Arthur with their father and
+mother, in the midst of a merry party. We might have known they would be
+here on the Corso."
+
+"Do you see what Arthur is doing?" replied Beppo. "He has a bouquet of
+flowers fastened to the end of a long string. And now he is dangling it
+over the rail. Just see that lady in the balcony below reaching out to
+get it. She thinks it is being thrown to her. How surprised she is when
+it comes up again out of her reach. Oh, what sport!
+
+"But watch, Tessa. I am going to throw my prettiest bunch of flowers to
+Lucy. Ah! she looks like an angel to-day. She is all in white."
+
+Beppo took a bouquet of roses and tossed them straight up into his
+little friend's lap. She was looking directly toward him as he threw
+them. She began to laugh, and, lifting them in her hands, turned to her
+father and said something.
+
+"She is asking him who we are," said Beppo. "She will never guess, for
+she does not expect to see us at the carnival."
+
+Tessa and her brother now moved onward, but not before they were covered
+with a shower of candy. It was Lucy's return for her flowers.
+
+A little before sunset the two country children went back to their
+cousin's. They found their father and mother all ready to go out to see
+the races.
+
+"What an odd-looking child you are, Tessa. And you, too, Beppo," said
+their mother. For they were fairly covered with white dust.
+
+"Never mind," laughed Beppo. "You will look like that to-morrow, mother,
+if you stay outdoors long enough. I really think that hundreds of
+bushels of confetti have been thrown about the streets to-day. We have
+received our share of them, without doubt."
+
+"Come, come, not a moment to lose now," said the father, "or we shall be
+too late to see the sport."
+
+The good-natured cousin said she would look after the baby, while
+Francesca rode off down the street on her father's shoulder. The donkeys
+had been put in the stable for their night's rest.
+
+The party soon reached the Corso, which had been cleared of carriages.
+Both sides were lined by an ever-growing crowd.
+
+Just at sunset a gun was fired. Instantly a number of beautiful horses
+were freed. They wore fine trappings and were without riders or drivers.
+Down the Corso they raced from one end to the other. It seemed as though
+they passed by like lightning.
+
+"Good, good," shouted Beppo, as the first horse reached the goal. This
+one was the winner of the race, of course.
+
+"We can see this sport every night of the carnival," his father told
+him, as they walked slowly homeward, looking at the sights on the way.
+
+Early the next morning Tessa and Beppo started off on their donkeys once
+more. They did not wish to lose a moment of the day's fun. They had many
+a mock battle with the children whom they met, but the fighting was all
+good-natured, and the only weapons used were handfuls of confetti.
+
+In the afternoon they found themselves near Arthur and Lucy, who were in
+an open carriage. They did not have their masks on, so their friends
+spied them out very quickly. They were very glad to see each other, but
+the crowd was so great they did not have a chance to say much.
+
+"Tessa," whispered Lucy, "father has something to ask your parents. He
+was going to write to them if he did not see them before the end of the
+carnival. Be sure to tell them. It is about you."
+
+That was all she had a chance to say before the driver started up the
+horses and she had passed on. Tessa wondered what it could be about, but
+her mind was soon busy with the gay sights, and she forgot all about it
+till she reached home.
+
+The last night of the carnival was the gayest time of all. As soon as it
+was dark, Tessa went with her father and mother and Beppo out into the
+streets. Every one carried a torch and tried to keep it lighted. At the
+same time he must try to put out as many other torches as possible.
+
+How the lights danced up and down the streets! What a puffing and
+blowing there was all the time. Tessa no sooner got her torch lighted
+than some one came up from behind and put it out. Then she would cry,
+"Senza moccolo, senza moccolo." That means, "Without light, without
+light."
+
+After a while, Beppo fastened his torch to the end of a long pole. He
+thought he was safe at last. But, no! a moment afterward some one came
+along with a pole longer than his own and dashed it down. The fun was
+all the greater for such little things as this.
+
+The city looked wonderfully pretty with the lights dancing about the
+windows and balconies and streets.
+
+After an hour or two the crowds began to thin out. Every one was tired.
+Tessa and Beppo turned homeward with their father and mother, calling
+out:
+
+"The carnival is dead. The carnival is dead."
+
+Soon afterward they tumbled into bed, half asleep, still repeating the
+words they heard echoing through the streets:
+
+"The carnival is dead!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE BURIED CITY
+
+
+"WE should like to take your little daughter with us on a journey," said
+Mr. Gray to Tessa's father.
+
+The two men were standing in the doorway of the artist's home on the
+Monday after the carnival. Tessa had not forgotten to tell her father
+that Mr. Gray wished to see him.
+
+"We shall be gone only a few days. We are going to take a short trip to
+Naples," the artist went on. "But Lucy wishes Tessa's company very much,
+and I think your little girl would enjoy it. What do you say?"
+
+The peasant was greatly pleased. His face beamed, as he replied:
+
+"You are a good friend to us, Mr. Gray. We can never forget it. What
+shall we do when you go back to America?"
+
+"That time will not come for two years yet. In the meanwhile, talk with
+your wife. If she is willing, bring Tessa here Tuesday morning. We shall
+leave on the afternoon of that day."
+
+You can imagine how excited our little Italian cousin was, when she
+found herself riding on a train for the first time. The cars were much
+smaller than we use here in America. It would have seemed odd to you to
+have the conductor (or the guard, as he is called in Europe) lock the
+doors when the train is about to start.
+
+"We are prisoners," laughed Lucy. "We can't get out now, even if we
+should wish to do so ever so much."
+
+She was now able to chatter in Italian almost as fast as in her own
+English tongue.
+
+"That is because of her acquaintance with Tessa and her brother," Mr.
+Gray told his wife. "Those children surprise me by the good Italian
+they speak, when they have had so little schooling. Although their
+parents are peasants, they are gentle people in their nature. And that
+is more than learning, after all."
+
+The children were delighted with Naples. The city rests on the shore of
+what some people consider the most beautiful bay in the world.
+Everything about it looked clean and orderly, although a few years ago
+it was a very filthy city.
+
+No one seemed in a hurry. Even the beggars, who came to meet the
+children with hands stretched out for alms, looked lazy and happy.
+
+There were beautiful gardens to walk in, and fine buildings to visit,
+besides rowing and sailing on the blue waters of the bay. There was
+plenty to see, but best of all was the morning the children spent in the
+museum, where there was a large collection of curiosities.
+
+"They all came from the buried city," Mr. Gray explained.
+
+"Think of it, children! These beautiful ornaments, vases, and bronzes,
+were hidden under the ashes for eighteen hundred years. One day it was
+discovered by some workman that he was digging into the ruins of a
+building. Others came to help him, and by and by they found a city
+beneath the ashes and soil which had formed above it."
+
+"You are going to take us to see the city before we go back to Rome,
+aren't you, father?" asked Arthur.
+
+"Certainly; I would not have you miss the sight for a good deal. But
+does Tessa know its name?"
+
+"O yes, it is Pompeii. I have heard much about it," the little Italian
+answered. "It is another of the wonderful sights in my country of which
+I am so proud."
+
+The children passed slowly from one part of the museum to another. They
+examined the almonds, dates, and figs, which had been preserved so long.
+Some of them looked quite natural. There was a lady's toilet set that
+interested the girls very much.
+
+There were blackened loaves of bread and cake from the baker's oven;
+there were beautiful lamps and golden jewelry,--all these things made
+for people suddenly overtaken by death nearly two thousand years ago!
+
+It was hard to leave the museum.
+
+"But there are other things to see yet, and we cannot spend too much
+time in one place," Mr. Gray told them as they walked homeward.
+
+They stopped to buy some luscious yellow oranges and some ornaments of
+coral and lava at stands by the side of the street.
+
+That very evening ponies were brought to the hotel door, and the party
+started out to climb the side of Vesuvius.
+
+"I shouldn't think the people of Naples would feel safe to live so near
+a volcano," said Lucy. "Now that it is active again, it must make them
+think of the way Pompeii was destroyed. And Pompeii is several miles
+away, isn't it, father?"
+
+"Yes, there was no more thought of danger at that time than we feel
+to-night. Perhaps not so much," he added, as he looked toward his wife.
+
+She was a little pale and was feeling more timid than she liked to say.
+Up above them, even now, they could see the sky lighted up by the red
+flame. It looked as though a city must be on fire. The path wound in a
+roundabout way, but was always rising and was in some places very steep
+and rocky.
+
+"See that red stream of lava pouring down the side of the mountain,"
+said Arthur.
+
+It was not so far away but that the children could see men at work
+beside it. They were scooping the lava up into vessels. It would be
+taken down to Naples and made into jewelry and ornaments to be sold to
+visitors in the city.
+
+After two miles or more of hard climbing, they reached the side of the
+crater.
+
+"Don't go too near. Oh, do be careful, children," cried Mrs. Gray. She
+was trembling as she looked at the red-hot stones flying upward in the
+midst of the cinders and flames.
+
+"Listen, do listen, mother. It is grand!" said Lucy, as they could now
+hear the roaring and grumbling, the pounding and hammering under ground.
+It was as though some terrible being was an angry prisoner in the
+volcano and was trying to free himself.
+
+Tessa clung to Mrs. Gray's skirt at first. She was frightened, too, and
+it was no wonder. But after a few moments both she and her kind friend
+had got over their fright and had begun to enjoy the strange sight.
+
+When at last Mrs. Gray said it was time to go, they all felt sorry.
+
+The drive down the mountain was quite easy. When they reached the hotel
+the children went straight to bed to dream of the pleasure
+to-morrow,--for they were to visit the buried city, Pompeii.
+
+The next day was bright and clear. Although every one felt a little
+tired after the excitement of the night before, they were all ready for
+the day's trip.
+
+It was a strange place, this city with no one living in it. There were
+streets all laid out and the walls of houses standing. The roofs were
+gone, however.
+
+Mr. Gray explained to the children that the city was buried under the
+terrible shower of ashes which settled down over it. The roofs had been
+burnt or broken down by the weight above them. After a while, soil
+formed above the ashes, grass began to grow, and the rest of the
+world forgot about the city, once so beautiful, with its stately palaces
+and grand buildings.
+
+[Illustration: "IT WAS A STRANGE PLACE"]
+
+Most of the people had time to flee before their homes were destroyed.
+But some of them stayed too long. Their skeletons were found when the
+city was unearthed.
+
+The children went into a cellar where there were marks on the walls. The
+guide told them that these showed where people were pressed against
+them. They must have fled to that place for safety, but it had been of
+no use. They stood here prisoners until kind death freed them from their
+suffering.
+
+They saw many marble ornaments. There were ducks and geese, rabbits and
+lambs, made long ago.
+
+"All this makes me feel queer, Lucy," whispered Tessa. "I will be glad
+to get back to a _live_ city again." Lucy felt so, too. It was
+interesting, of course, but it was very strange.
+
+After the visit to Pompeii, Mr. Gray told the children that his vacation
+was over and they must all go back to Rome.
+
+"But we will not return by train," he said. "We will take a sailing
+vessel, as I think you will enjoy a trip on the water."
+
+They did enjoy it greatly. The only trouble was that it seemed too
+short.
+
+"When June comes it will be quite hot in Rome, you know," Lucy said to
+Tessa. The two girls were in the bow of the boat, looking over the edge
+into the water below.
+
+"We are going then on a journey to the north of Italy, and you are to
+come, too, Tessa. Father says so. We will visit Venice and sail in boats
+through its streets. It seems as though I could hardly wait for the time
+to come. Just think of a great city built on little islands, and when
+you go to the door of your house you find yourself on the water's edge.
+It must be lovely."
+
+"Tessa," she went on, putting her arm around the little Italian's waist,
+"father says that he is going to manage next winter so that you shall
+stay with us and we can have lessons together with my governess."
+
+Tessa bent forward and kissed both of Lucy's hands. She was so happy she
+could not speak.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    _By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_
+    _Each 1 vol., large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per vol._      $1.50
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL STORIES=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    Being three "Little Colonel" stories in the Cosy Corner
+    Series, "The Little Colonel," "Two Little Knights of
+    Kentucky," and "The Giant Scissors," put into a single
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+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOUSE PARTY=
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+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOLIDAYS=
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+
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+
+    =MARY WARE: THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHUM=
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+
+    _These ten volumes, boxed as a ten-volume set._      $15.00
+
+    =THE LITTLE COLONEL=
+          (Trade Mark)
+
+    =TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY=
+
+    =THE GIANT SCISSORS=
+
+    =BIG BROTHER=
+
+
+Special Holiday Editions
+
+    Each one volume, cloth decorative, small quarto, $1.25
+
+New plates, handsomely illustrated with eight full-page drawings in
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+
+=IN THE DESERT OF WAITING=: THE LEGEND OF CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN.
+
+=THE THREE WEAVERS=: A FAIRY TALE FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS AS WELL AS FOR
+THEIR DAUGHTERS.
+
+=KEEPING TRYST=
+
+=THE LEGEND OF THE BLEEDING HEART=
+
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+
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+
+    Each one volume, tall 16mo, cloth decorative      $0.50
+    Paper boards                                        .35
+
+There has been a constant demand for publication in separate form of
+these six stories, which were originally included in six of the "Little
+Colonel" books.
+
+=JOEL: A BOY OF GALILEE=: By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON. Illustrated by L.
+J. Bridgman.
+
+    New illustrated edition, uniform with the Little Colonel
+    Books, 1 vol., large 12mo, cloth decorative      $1.50
+
+A story of the time of Christ, which is one of the author's best-known
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+
+
+=THE LITTLE COLONEL GOOD TIMES BOOK= Uniform in size with the Little
+Colonel Series. $1.50 Bound in white kid (morocco) and gold 3.00
+
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+
+The publishers have had many inquiries from readers of the Little
+Colonel books as to where they could obtain a "Good Times Book" such as
+Betty kept. Mrs. Johnston, who has for years kept such a book herself,
+has gone enthusiastically into the matter of the material and format for
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+
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+Country Humor. By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON.
+
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+
+    Large 16mo, cloth, gilt top      $1.00
+
+"'Asa Holmes; or, At the Cross-Roads' is the most delightful, most
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+SMITH.
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+SMITH.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
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+This book is a continuation of the adventures of "The Rival Campers" on
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+
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+
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+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
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+PIRATES. By RUEL PERLEY SMITH.
+
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+=PRISONERS OF FORTUNE=: A Tale of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. By RUEL
+PERLEY SMITH.
+
+    Cloth decorative, with a colored frontispiece      $1.50
+
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+
+
+=FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS.= By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON.
+
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+
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+
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+
+
+=FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.= By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON.
+
+    Large 12mo, illustrated      $1.50
+
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+
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+
+    Cloth decorative, illustrated by Helen McCormick
+    Kennedy      $1.25
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+Billy Lewis was a small boy of energy and ambition, so when he was left
+alone and unprotected, he simply started out to take care of himself.
+
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+
+    Cloth decorative, illustrated in colors      $1.50
+
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+to "Beautiful Joe." By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful Joe."
+
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+
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+
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+
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+unreservedly."--_Cyrus Townsend Brady._
+
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+='TILDA JANE'S ORPHANS.= A sequel to 'Tilda Jane. By MARSHALL SAUNDERS.
+
+    One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative,   $1.50
+
+'Tilda Jane is the same original, delightful girl, and as fond of her
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+
+
+=THE STORY OF THE GRAVELEYS.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful
+Joe's Paradise," "'Tilda Jane," etc.
+
+    Library 12mo, cloth decorative. Illustrated by E. B.
+    Barry      $1.50
+
+Here we have the haps and mishaps, the trials and triumphs, of a
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+
+
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+
+    12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.25
+
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+gratitude of a nation.
+
+
+=IN WEST POINT GRAY=
+
+By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL.
+
+    12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+"Singularly enough one of the best books of the year for boys is written
+by a woman and deals with life at West Point. The presentment of life in
+the famous military academy whence so many heroes have graduated is
+realistic and enjoyable."--_New York Sun._
+
+
+=FROM CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER STRAPS=
+
+By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL.
+
+    12mo, cloth, illustrated, decorative      $1.50
+
+West Point again forms the background of a new volume in this popular
+series, and relates the experience of Jack Stirling during his junior
+and senior years.
+
+
+=THE SANDMAN: HIS FARM STORIES=
+
+By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS. With fifty illustrations by Ada Clendenin
+Williamson.
+
+    Large 12mo, decorative cover      $1.50
+
+"An amusing, original book, written for the benefit of very small
+children. It should be one of the most popular of the year's books for
+reading to small children."--_Buffalo Express._
+
+
+=THE SANDMAN: MORE FARM STORIES=
+
+By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS.
+
+    Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated      $1.50
+
+Mr. Hopkins's first essay at bedtime stories met with such approval that
+this second book of "Sandman" tales was issued for scores of eager
+children. Life on the farm, and out-of-doors, is portrayed in his
+inimitable manner.
+
+
+=THE SANDMAN: HIS SHIP STORIES= By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS, author of "The
+Sandman: His Farm Stories," etc.
+
+    Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated      $1.50
+
+"Children call for these stories over and over again."--_Chicago Evening
+Post._
+
+
+=THE SANDMAN, HIS SEA STORIES=
+
+By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS.
+
+    Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated      $1.50
+
+Each year adds to the popularity of this unique series of stories to be
+read to the little ones at bed time and at other times.
+
+
+=THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL=
+
+By MARION AMES TAGGART, author of "Pussy-Cat Town," etc.
+
+    One vol., library 12mo, illustrated      $1.50
+
+A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a little girl and her comrade father,
+written in a delightful vein of sympathetic comprehension of the child's
+point of view.
+
+
+=SWEET NANCY=
+
+THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL. By MARION AMES
+TAGGART.
+
+    One vol., library, 12mo, illustrated      $1.50
+
+In the new book, the author tells how Nancy becomes in fact "the
+doctor's assistant," and continues to shed happiness around her.
+
+
+=THE CHRISTMAS-MAKERS' CLUB=
+
+By EDITH A. SAWYER.
+
+    12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+A delightful story for girls, full of the real spirit of Christmas. It
+abounds in merrymaking and the right kind of fun.
+
+
+=CARLOTA=
+
+A STORY OF THE SAN GABRIEL MISSION. By FRANCES MARGARET FOX.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
+    in colors by Ethelind Ridgway      $1.00
+
+"It is a pleasure to recommend this little story as an entertaining
+contribution to juvenile literature."--_The New York Sun._
+
+
+=THE SEVEN CHRISTMAS CANDLES=
+
+By FRANCES MARGARET FOX.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
+    in colors by Ethelind Ridgway      $1.00
+
+Miss Fox's new book deals with the fortunes of the delightful Mulvaney
+children.
+
+
+=PUSSY-CAT TOWN=
+
+By MARION AMES TAGGART.
+
+    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
+    in colors      $1.00
+
+"Anything more interesting than the doings of the cats in this story,
+their humor, their wisdom, their patriotism, would be hard to
+imagine."--_Chicago Post._
+
+
+=THE ROSES OF SAINT ELIZABETH=
+
+By JANE SCOTT WOODRUFF.
+
+    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
+    in colors by Adelaide Everhart      $1.00
+
+This is a charming little story of a child whose father was caretaker of
+the great castle of the Wartburg, where Saint Elizabeth once had her
+home.
+
+
+=GABRIEL AND THE HOUR BOOK=
+
+By EVALEEN STEIN.
+
+    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
+    in colors by Adelaide Everhart      $1.00
+
+Gabriel was a loving, patient, little French lad, who assisted the monks
+in the long ago days, when all the books were written and illuminated by
+hand, in the monasteries.
+
+
+=THE ENCHANTED AUTOMOBILE=
+
+Translated from the French by MARY J. SAFFORD.
+
+    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
+    in colors by Edna M. Sawyer      $1.00
+
+"An up-to-date French fairy-tale which fairly radiates the spirit of the
+hour,--unceasing diligence."--_Chicago Record-Herald._
+
+
+=O-HEART-SAN=
+
+THE STORY OF A JAPANESE GIRL. By HELEN EGGLESTON HASKELL.
+
+    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
+    in colors by Frank P. Fairbanks      $1.00
+
+"The story comes straight from the heart of Japan. The shadow of
+Fujiyama lies across it and from every page breathes the fragrance of
+tea leaves, cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums."--_The Chicago
+Inter-Ocean._
+
+
+=THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND=: OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN WEST. By BURTON E.
+STEVENSON.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+Mr. Stevenson's hero is a manly lad of sixteen, who is given a chance as
+a section-hand on a big Western railroad, and whose experiences are as
+real as they are thrilling.
+
+
+=THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+"A better book for boys has never left an American press."--_Springfield
+Union._
+
+
+=THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+"Nothing better in the way of a book of adventure for boys in which the
+actualities of life are set forth in a practical way could be devised or
+written."--_Boston Herald._
+
+
+=CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER.= By WINN STANDISH.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+Jack is a fine example of the all-around American high-school boy.
+
+
+=JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS=: OR, SPORTS ON LAND AND LAKE. By WINN
+STANDISH.
+
+    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+"It is exactly the sort of book to give a boy interested in athletics,
+for it shows him what it means to always 'play fair.'"--_Chicago
+Tribune._
+
+
+=JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS=: OR, MILLVALE HIGH IN CAMP. By WINN STANDISH.
+
+    Illustrated      $1.50
+
+Full of just the kind of fun, sports and adventure to excite the healthy
+minded youngster to emulation.
+
+
+=JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE=: OR, THE ACTING CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM. By WINN
+STANDISH.
+
+    Illustrated      $1.50
+
+On the sporting side, this book takes up football, wrestling,
+tobogganing, but it is more of a _school_ story perhaps than any of its
+predecessors.
+
+
+=CAPTAIN JINKS=: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SHETLAND PONY. By FRANCES HODGES
+WHITE.
+
+    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+The story of Captain Jinks and his faithful dog friend Billy, their
+quaint conversations and their exciting adventures, will be eagerly read
+by thousands of boys and girls. The story is beautifully written and
+will take its place alongside of "Black Beauty" and "Beautiful Joe."
+
+
+=THE RED FEATHERS.= By THEODORE ROBERTS.
+
+    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+"The Red Feathers" tells of the remarkable adventures of an Indian boy
+who lived in the Stone Age, many years ago, when the world was young.
+
+
+=FLYING PLOVER.= By THEODORE ROBERTS.
+
+    Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston
+    Bull      $1.00
+
+Squat-By-The-Fire is a very old and wise Indian who lives alone with her
+grandson, "Flying Plover," to whom she tells the stories each evening.
+
+
+=THE WRECK OF THE OCEAN QUEEN.= By JAMES OTIS, author of "Larry Hudson's
+Ambition," etc.
+
+    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+"A stirring story of wreck and mutiny, which boys will find especially
+absorbing. The many young admirers of James Otis will not let this book
+escape them, for it fully equals its many predecessors in excitement and
+sustained interest."--_Chicago Evening Post._
+
+
+=LITTLE WHITE INDIANS.= By FANNIE E. OSTRANDER.
+
+    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.25
+
+"A bright, interesting story which will appeal strongly to the
+'make-believe' instinct in children, and will give them a healthy,
+active interest in 'the simple life.'"
+
+
+=MARCHING WITH MORGAN.= HOW DONALD LOVELL BECAME A SOLDIER OF THE
+REVOLUTION. By JOHN L. VEASY.
+
+    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
+
+This is a splendid boy's story of the expedition of Montgomery and
+Arnold against Quebec.
+
+
+
+
+=COSY CORNER SERIES=
+
+
+      It is the intention of the publishers that this series
+      shall contain only the very highest and purest
+      literature,--stories that shall not only appeal to the
+      children themselves, but be appreciated by all those
+      who feel with them in their joys and sorrows.
+
+      The numerous illustrations in each book are by
+      well-known artists, and each volume has a separate
+      attractive cover design.
+
+    Each 1 vol., 16mo, cloth      $0.50
+
+
+_By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_
+
+
+=THE LITTLE COLONEL= (Trade Mark.)
+
+The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a small
+girl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fancied
+resemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and
+old family are famous in the region.
+
+
+=THE GIANT SCISSORS=
+
+This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in France. Joyce is a
+great friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes shares with her
+the delightful experiences of the "House Party" and the "Holidays."
+
+
+=TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY= WHO WERE THE LITTLE COLONEL'S
+NEIGHBORS.
+
+In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an old friend, but
+with added grace and charm. She is not, however, the central figure of
+the story, that place being taken by the "two little knights."
+
+
+=MILDRED'S INHERITANCE=
+
+A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who comes to America
+and is befriended by a sympathetic American family who are attracted by
+her beautiful speaking voice. By means of this one gift she is enabled
+to help a school-girl who has temporarily lost the use of her eyes, and
+thus finally her life becomes a busy, happy one.
+
+
+=CICELY AND OTHER STORIES FOR GIRLS=
+
+The readers of Mrs. Johnston's charming juveniles will be glad to learn
+of the issue of this volume for young people.
+
+
+=AUNT 'LIZA'S HERO AND OTHER STORIES=
+
+A collection of six bright little stories, which will appeal to all boys
+and most girls.
+
+
+=BIG BROTHER=
+
+A story of two boys. The devotion and care of Stephen, himself a small
+boy, for his baby brother, is the theme of the simple tale.
+
+
+=OLE MAMMY'S TORMENT=
+
+"Ole Mammy's Torment" has been fitly called "a classic of Southern
+life." It relates the haps and mishaps of a small negro lad, and tells
+how he was led by love and kindness to a knowledge of the right.
+
+
+=THE STORY OF DAGO=
+
+In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, a pet monkey,
+owned jointly by two brothers. Dago tells his own story, and the account
+of his haps and mishaps is both interesting and amusing.
+
+
+=THE QUILT THAT JACK BUILT=
+
+A pleasant little story of a boy's labor of love, and how it changed the
+course of his life many years after it was accomplished.
+
+
+=FLIP'S ISLANDS OF PROVIDENCE=
+
+A story of a boy's life battle, his early defeat, and his final triumph,
+well worth the reading.
+
+
+_By EDITH ROBINSON_
+
+
+=A LITTLE PURITAN'S FIRST CHRISTMAS=
+
+A story of Colonial times in Boston, telling how Christmas was invented
+by Betty Sewall, a typical child of the Puritans, aided by her brother
+Sam.
+
+
+=A LITTLE DAUGHTER OF LIBERTY=
+
+The author introduces this story as follows:
+
+"One ride is memorable in the early history of the American Revolution,
+the well-known ride of Paul Revere. Equally deserving of commendation is
+another ride,--the ride of Anthony Severn,--which was no less historic
+in its action or memorable in its consequences."
+
+
+=A LOYAL LITTLE MAID=
+
+A delightful and interesting story of Revolutionary days, in which the
+child heroine, Betsey Schuyler, renders important services to George
+Washington.
+
+
+=A LITTLE PURITAN REBEL=
+
+This is an historical tale of a real girl, during the time when the
+gallant Sir Harry Vane was governor of Massachusetts.
+
+
+=A LITTLE PURITAN PIONEER=
+
+The scene of this story is laid in the Puritan settlement at
+Charlestown.
+
+
+=A LITTLE PURITAN BOUND GIRL=
+
+A story of Boston in Puritan days, which is of great interest to
+youthful readers.
+
+
+=A LITTLE PURITAN CAVALIER=
+
+The story of a "Little Puritan Cavalier" who tried with all his boyish
+enthusiasm to emulate the spirit and ideals of the dead Crusaders.
+
+
+=A PURITAN KNIGHT ERRANT=
+
+The story tells of a young lad in Colonial times who endeavored to carry
+out the high ideals of the knights of olden days.
+
+
+_By OUIDA_ (_Louise de la Ramee_)
+
+
+=A DOG OF FLANDERS=
+
+A CHRISTMAS STORY
+
+Too well and favorably known to require description.
+
+
+=THE NURNBERG STOVE=
+
+This beautiful story has never before been published at a popular price.
+
+
+_By FRANCES MARGARET FOX_
+
+
+=THE LITTLE GIANT'S NEIGHBOURS=
+
+A charming nature story of a "little giant" whose neighbors were the
+creatures of the field and garden.
+
+
+=FARMER BROWN AND THE BIRDS=
+
+A little story which teaches children that the birds are man's best
+friends.
+
+
+=BETTY OF OLD MACKINAW=
+
+A charming story of child life.
+
+
+=BROTHER BILLY=
+
+The story of Betty's brother, and some further adventures of Betty
+herself.
+
+
+=MOTHER NATURE'S LITTLE ONES=
+
+Curious little sketches describing the early lifetime, or "childhood,"
+of the little creatures out-of-doors.
+
+
+=HOW CHRISTMAS CAME TO THE MULVANEYS=
+
+A bright, lifelike little story of a family of poor children with an
+unlimited capacity for fun and mischief.
+
+
+=THE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS=
+
+Miss Fox has vividly described the happy surprises that made the
+occasion so memorable to the Mulvaneys, and the funny things the
+children did in their new environment.
+
+
+_By MISS MULOCK_
+
+
+=THE LITTLE LAME PRINCE=
+
+A delightful story of a little boy who has many adventures by means of
+the magic gifts of his fairy godmother.
+
+
+=ADVENTURES OF A BROWNIE=
+
+The story of a household elf who torments the cook and gardener, but is
+a constant joy and delight to the children who love and trust him.
+
+
+=HIS LITTLE MOTHER=
+
+Miss Mulock's short stories for children are a constant source of
+delight to them, and "His Little Mother," in this new and attractive
+dress, will be welcomed by hosts of youthful readers.
+
+
+=LITTLE SUNSHINE'S HOLIDAY=
+
+An attractive story of a summer outing. "Little Sunshine" is another of
+those beautiful child-characters for which Miss Mulock is so justly
+famous.
+
+
+_By MARSHALL SAUNDERS_
+
+
+=FOR HIS COUNTRY=
+
+A sweet and graceful story of a little boy who loved his country;
+written with that charm which has endeared Miss Saunders to hosts of
+readers.
+
+
+=NITA, THE STORY OF AN IRISH SETTER=
+
+In this touching little book, Miss Saunders shows how dear to her heart
+are all of God's dumb creatures.
+
+
+=ALPATOK, THE STORY OF AN ESKIMO DOG=
+
+Alpatok, an Eskimo dog from the far north, was stolen from his master
+and left to starve in a strange city, but was befriended and cared for,
+until he was able to return to his owner.
+
+
+_By WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE_
+
+
+=THE FARRIER'S DOG AND HIS FELLOW=
+
+This story, written by the gifted young Southern woman, will appeal to
+all that is best in the natures of the many admirers of her graceful and
+piquant style.
+
+
+=THE FORTUNES OF THE FELLOW=
+
+Those who read and enjoyed the pathos and charm of "The Farrier's Dog
+and His Fellow" will welcome the further account of the adventures of
+Baydaw and the Fellow at the home of the kindly smith.
+
+
+=THE BEST OF FRIENDS=
+
+This continues the experiences of the Farrier's dog and his Fellow,
+written in Mr. Dromgoole's well-known charming style.
+
+
+=DOWN IN DIXIE=
+
+A fascinating story for boys and girls, of a family of Alabama children
+who move to Florida and grow up in the South.
+
+
+_By MARIAN W. WILDMAN_
+
+
+=LOYALTY ISLAND=
+
+An account of the adventures of four children and their pet dog on an
+island, and how they cleared their brother from the suspicion of
+dishonesty.
+
+
+=THEODORE AND THEODORA=
+
+This is a story of the exploits and mishaps of two mischievous twins,
+and continues the adventures of the interesting group of children in
+"Loyalty Island."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Note: Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tessa, Our Little Italian Cousin, by 
+Mary Hazelton Wade
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43252 ***