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diff --git a/43252-8.txt b/43252-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a448527..0000000 --- a/43252-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3591 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Tessa, Our Little Italian Cousin, by Mary Hazelton Wade - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Tessa, Our Little Italian Cousin - -Author: Mary Hazelton Wade - -Illustrator: L. J. Bridgman - -Release Date: July 19, 2013 [EBook #43252] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TESSA, OUR LITTLE ITALIAN COUSIN *** - - - - -Produced by Emmy, Dianna Adair and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - -[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 - volume. - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOUSE PARTY= - (Trade Mark) - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOLIDAYS= - (Trade Mark) - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HERO= - (Trade Mark) - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL AT BOARDING SCHOOL= - (Trade Mark) - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL IN ARIZONA= - (Trade Mark) - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHRISTMAS VACATION= - (Trade Mark) - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL, MAID OF HONOUR= - (Trade Mark) - - =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S KNIGHT COMES RIDING= - (Trade Mark) - - =MARY WARE: THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHUM= - (Trade Mark) - - _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 -color, and many marginal sketches. - -=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= - -=THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS WINSOME=: A FAIRY PLAY FOR OLD AND YOUNG. - -=THE JESTER'S SWORD= - - 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 -books. - - -=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 - -Cover design and decorations by Amy Carol Rand. - -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 -a similar book for her young readers. Every girl will want to possess a -"Good Times Book." - - -=ASA HOLMES=: OR, AT THE CROSS-ROADS. A sketch of Country Life and -Country Humor. By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON. - -With a frontispiece by Ernest Fosbery. - - Large 16mo, cloth, gilt top $1.00 - -"'Asa Holmes; or, At the Cross-Roads' is the most delightful, most -sympathetic and wholesome book that has been published in a long -while."--_Boston Times._ - - -=THE RIVAL CAMPERS=: OR, THE ADVENTURES OF HENRY BURNS. By RUEL PERLEY -SMITH. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -A story of a party of typical American lads, courageous, alert, and -athletic, who spend a summer camping on an island off the Maine coast. - - -=THE RIVAL CAMPERS AFLOAT=: OR, THE PRIZE YACHT VIKING. By RUEL PERLEY -SMITH. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -This book is a continuation of the adventures of "The Rival Campers" on -their prize yacht Viking. - - -=THE RIVAL CAMPERS ASHORE= - -By _Ruel Perley Smith_. - - Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50 - -"As interesting ashore as when afloat."--_The Interior._ - - -=JACK HARVEY'S ADVENTURES=: OR, THE RIVAL CAMPERS AMONG THE OYSTER -PIRATES. By RUEL PERLEY SMITH. - - Illustrated $1.50 - -"Just the type of book which is most popular with lads who are in their -early teens."--_The Philadelphia Item._ - - -=PRISONERS OF FORTUNE=: A Tale of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. By RUEL -PERLEY SMITH. - - Cloth decorative, with a colored frontispiece $1.50 - -"There is an atmosphere of old New England in the book, the -humor of the born raconteur about the hero, who tells his story -with the gravity of a preacher, but with a solemn humor that is -irresistible."--_Courier-Journal._ - - -=FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS.= By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON. - - Large 12mo. With 24 illustrations $1.50 - -Biographical sketches, with interesting anecdotes and reminiscences of -the heroes of history who were leaders of cavalry. - -"More of such books should be written, books that acquaint young readers -with historical personages in a pleasant informal way."--_N. Y. Sun._ - - -=FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.= By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON. - - Large 12mo, illustrated $1.50 - -In this book Mr. Johnston gives interesting sketches of the Indian -braves who have figured with prominence in the history of our own land, -including Powhatan, the Indian Cæsar; Massasoit, the friend of the -Puritans; Pontiac, the red Napoleon; Tecumseh, the famous war chief of -the Shawnees; Sitting Bull, the famous war chief of the Sioux; Geronimo, -the renowned Apache Chief, etc., etc. - - -=BILLY'S PRINCESS.= By HELEN EGGLESTON HASKELL. - - Cloth decorative, illustrated by Helen McCormick - Kennedy $1.25 - -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. - - -=TENANTS OF THE TREES.= By CLARENCE HAWKES. - - Cloth decorative, illustrated in colors $1.50 - -"A book which will appeal to all who care for the hearty, healthy, -outdoor life of the country. The illustrations are particularly -attractive."--_Boston Herald._ - - -=BEAUTIFUL JOE'S PARADISE=: OR, THE ISLAND OF BROTHERLY LOVE. A sequel -to "Beautiful Joe." By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful Joe." - - One vol., library 12mo, cloth, illustrated $1.50 - -"This book revives the spirit of 'Beautiful Joe' capitally. It is fairly -riotous with fun, and is about as unusual as anything in the animal book -line that has seen the light."--_Philadelphia Item._ - - -='TILDA JANE.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS. - - One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50 - -"I cannot think of any better book for children than this. I commend it -unreservedly."--_Cyrus Townsend Brady._ - - -='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 -animal pets as ever. - - -=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 -delightful New England family, of whose devotion and sturdiness it will -do the reader good to hear. - - -=BORN TO THE BLUE.= By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL. - - 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.25 - -The atmosphere of army life on the plains breathes on every page of this -delightful tale. The boy is the son of a captain of U. S. cavalry -stationed at a frontier post in the days when our regulars earned the -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 THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TESSA, OUR LITTLE ITALIAN COUSIN *** - -***** This file should be named 43252-8.txt or 43252-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/2/5/43252/ - -Produced by Emmy, Dianna Adair and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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