Little Tony of Italy

"He was a young rascal," replied her father. "Still, he had such an intelligent face. What a pity!"

Tony, under the window, drew closer to listen.

"The lad is already a clever liar and no doubt a beggar as well," Anna's father continued. "One day he will become a thief like Guido!"

Tony crouched lower and winced. "A thief like Guido!" The words had a dreadful sound.

"I should like to train that boy," remarked Anna's father. "I would discipline him!"

The gentleman looked very fierce as he said this. He frightened Tony, who hated discipline!

But if Tony had known exactly what he meant, he would not have been frightened. Anna's father had always wanted a son of his own. He would have been very proud of a son.

He would have taught him to be a loyal Italian. For Anna's father was a real patriot.

Robert Browning, the poet, has said, "Open my heart and you will see inside of it – Italy." If Anna's father had been a poet, he might have said something like this.

"Dinner is ready," announced Anna's mother.

Tony watched as the family left the room. He knew that they had gone into the dining room. He waited patiently beneath the window until they returned.

When they came back, Anna's father eased himself into an armchair.

"Come, little Anna," he said. "I am going to read to you."

Anna crawled on to his lap with Tina clasped lovingly in her arms. Tina had a puffed, happy look, as if she, too, had dined well!

Tony smiled to himself. He was going to hear Anna's father read stories. No one had ever read to Tony. He loved reading.

The night was warm. The moon shone. The window was open. Tony listened.

Would you like to listen, too?

Very well.

Wouldn't Anna's father be surprised if he knew about his big audience? Under the window is a poor Italian boy – Tony. Out in the great United States are other boys and girls – you who are reading this tale!

So be very quiet and don't make a noise for fear of disturbing Anna's father while he reads.

Let us crouch under the window with Tony!

CHAPTER IV

ROME

"Tonight," began Anna's father, "we are going to read about one of our Italian cities. Many fine stories have come out of it.

"Rome is called 'The Eternal City' because there is a saying that it will live forever. It is built upon seven hills.

"A long time ago there lived a great artist named Michelangelo. He built the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. This is the largest church in the world. Thirty services may be conducted in it at the same time.

"The bones of St. Peter are believed to have been buried beneath the Cathedral.

"But the oldest church of all is the Pantheon, which means 'all the Gods,' It was built when people worshipped more than one God. It has no windows but only a hole in the top called an 'eye.' Today it is the burial ground of renowned writers and artists.

"Near Rome are the famous catacombs. It was here that the early Christians buried their dead.

"The catacombs are long, narrow passages with graves built into the walls, one above the other. When the Christians were not allowed to worship in their own way, they often fled to these underground cemeteries to pray.

"There is a curious park in Rome," went on the father. "One which you, little Anna, would like."

Anna looked up. "Why, Papa?" she asked.

"Because it is filled with cats," answered her father. "Tabbies and Tommies, black and white, grey and yellow. They wander about and sprawl in the shade of fine old trees. They have plenty to eat and nothing to fear. It is a kitty paradise!"

"I want to go to that park some day," said Anna.

"There is a magic fountain in Rome," read her father. "It is said that he who drinks from the Fontana Trevi will some day be drawn back to The Eternal City.

"The Appian Way is sometimes called The Queen of Roads. It was a great highway built by the ancient Romans. Parts of it are still in use.

"These ancient Romans were very clean. They dotted their city with many fine public baths. We are able to see by the ruins how very handsome they were.

"Outdoor theatres, called 'circuses,' were also numerous. The oldest of these is the Circus Maximus, where races were held.

"The Colosseum is a huge outdoor arena where slaves and criminals were thrown to hungry lions. People sat about and enjoyed the show.

"Of course the poor men were killed. But the audience watched this terrible sport as naturally as we, today, watch a tennis game. They pitied the victims no more than we pity the tennis balls!"

Anna squirmed unhappily. "Now read something nice," she said. "The story of Romulus and Remus, because I like the good wolf."

Her father smiled and turned a page. Always stories about animals for little Anna!

"Here we are," he said. "The old myth goes that Romulus and Remus were twin babies, cast upon the River Tiber by a jealous king. Their basket floated ashore and was found by a mother wolf.

"Taking pity on the babies, she brought them to her cave and cared for them. But at last the good wolf was killed by hunters and Romulus and Remus, now grown boys, ran away.

"A herdsman found them and gave them a home. They were very wild and strong and they were wonderful hunters.

"One day they learned the story of their lives. They discovered that they were really meant to be kings. So they determined to punish their enemy and take their rightful place in the world.

"Remus was killed in battle, but Romulus became the first king of Rome.

"The legend tells that, at this time, there were very few women in Rome. Romulus wished his people to marry women of the neighboring cities. But the neighbors refused to marry the Romans.

"So Romulus invited a people called The Sabines to a great feast. During the entertainment the Romans seized the young Sabine women and carried them off. Later, however, this savage act was forgotten and the two nations became one.

"In 218 B.C. Rome suffered a defeat. Hannibal, a great general of ancient Carthage, crossed the tall Alps and attacked the Romans.

"His army consisted of 90,000 foot soldiers, 12,000 horsemen, and 37 elephants. This march over the Alps is considered one of the most wonderful military feats of ancient days.

"Nero was one of the most wicked emperors who ever ruled Rome. In the year 64 a terrible fire broke out. For six days flames swept the city. Yet Nero made no attempt to stop the fire nor to help the suffering people.

"Some say that the cruel Emperor played upon his fiddle while Rome burned.

"After the World War there came to Rome a new kind of King. He was really not a king at all but…"

"Il Duce! (The Commander!)" interrupted Anna.

"Yes, my dear," agreed her father. "His name was Benito Mussolini, the great chief of Italy.

"Mussolini was a poor boy, the son of a blacksmith. Like wicked Nero, he sometimes played upon his fiddle. But while he played, Rome did not burn. It grew.

"He founded a new system of government called Fascism.

"A wise man once was asked, 'What is the best quality for a child to have?' He replied, 'Obedience,' 'And the second best?' 'Obedience,' 'And the third?' 'Obedience!'

"This is what the Fascist teachers believe. Their moral is: 'Be strong to be pure. Be pure to be strong,' Il Duce has taught our people this wonderful lesson.

"At one time there were many lazy ones in Italy. Now we work and clean and teach. It is better that way. Italy is a beautiful land. It is worth working for."

Tony, under the window, felt a great pride in his heart. He began to see ahead into the future when he would be an Italian soldier. He would fight for beautiful Italy!

He waggled his head back and forth against the side of the house. He muttered to himself, "Viva Italia! (Hurrah for Italy!) Viva! Viva… Ouch!" he cried suddenly.

He had bumped his head!

CHAPTER V

TONY AND ANNA

"Did I hear a noise outside?" asked Anna's father.

Anna hugged Tina. "It must have been a little mama animal putting its babies to bed," she said.

Her father sighed. Some day Anna would be a little mama herself. That was what Mussolini wanted all of Italy's women to be.

But Anna's father would so have liked a son. One who would be more interested in the Balilla than in "little mama animals."

Yet he loved his daughter very dearly. He now kissed her dark curls as he said, "It is time for bed, mia cara (my dear). Tomorrow night more stories."

Anna sat up in his arms. Tina awoke and blinked.

"Before I go to bed, I must put Niki to bed, too," said Anna.

Her father answered, "Then we must make a house for her."

Tony saw him open a chest of drawers and take out some curious things.

"Now," he said to his daughter, "Come into the back garden, and we shall see what kind of house-builder I am!"

Tony watched them leave the room and saw a light switch on in the hallway. Then the back door opened. Father, daughter, and dog went into the garden.

They found an old crate with the top missing. They covered it with what appeared to be a fancy tablecover. They tied the little dog securely to the side.

"There!" said Anna's father. "It looks like a tent on the desert. Niki will feel like an Arabian Princess!"

Anna stooped down and caressed her pet.

"Felicissima notte, Niki," said Anna. This meant "Happiest night, Niki," and it is what the Italians say for "Good-night."

When Anna and her father had left, Tony ran over to the kennel-tent. Tina nearly wagged herself to pieces with joy. Tony sank down beside her. He buried his head in her soft hair.

"Ah, Tina mia (my Tina)!" he said. "I thought they had taken you from me forever! But I have found you again."

He started to untie the dog. He would run away with her. Far away! Never back to Guido! Guido was a thief. A man who stole little dogs!

Then, suddenly, Tony remembered that he, too, was about to steal a little dog! He, too, would be a thief if he did that. Tina did not belong to him. She belonged to little Anna.

But how could he bear to leave Tina? A tear ran down his cheek. Tina licked it sadly. She seemed to know what he was thinking about.

How he longed to snuggle up close to the little dog and go fast asleep. Just as he had done every night since he went to live with Guido.

Why did Anna have to love Tina, too?

He would stay. Just tonight. He would crawl into Tina's tent with her. In the morning he could decide what to do. He was so sleepy now.

He yawned, brushed his tears away, and wriggled into the tent. He curled up in there, with Tina in his arms.

But just as sleep came creeping over him, a sound was heard in the garden. Tony gave a start and opened his eyes. Tina gave a low growl.

Tony looked out and saw a white figure approaching the tent. It was Anna. She was coming back to see her new-found Niki once more.

She would find Tony there. She would tell her father! What should he do? His heart began to thump. He lay quite still.

"Niki!" whispered Anna, softly.

Silence.

"Niki!" repeated Anna. "I have come to kiss you good-night. Here, Niki!"

She bent down in front of the tent and looked in. It was dark inside. Tony lay flat on the floor and kept very quiet.

Anna put her hand inside the tent and felt for her pet. Tina tried to hide from the hand, but it found her and lifted her out tenderly.

Anna caressed the dog and spoke gently to her.

"Now, Niki," she said. "You shall go back to bed and mama will cover you up."

She had brought with her a doll's blanket. She put Tina back into the tent and tried to make her lie down flat. She could do this so easily with her dolls.

But, somehow, Tina was different. Tina did not want to lie down flat! The real reason for this was because Anna was spreading Tina on Tony's face!

The poor dog struggled and kicked. The poor boy tried his best to lie still and make no noise. But would you enjoy a dog plastered upon your face?

So Tony wriggled. He snorted. He sneezed.

Anna saw. She heard. She started and gave a little cry. Tony's head came out of the tent like a turtle's head coming out of its shell.

"Hush!" said Tony.

Anna drew back. "Who are you?" she gasped.

"I'm Tony," he replied. "Please let me stay here with Tina tonight. Tomorrow I'll go away."

Then Anna recognized him. "Oh," she exclaimed. "You are that naughty Marionette boy who told a lie! I am going to call my father!"

She turned toward the house but Tony quickly caught her arm.

"No, no!" he pleaded. "I mean no harm. I love the little dog. Let me stay. Only one night. Do not tell your father – please!"

In the moonlight Anna could see that tears filled his eyes. She began to feel sorry for him.

"Are you a very poor little boy?" she asked, innocently.

"Oh, yes, very, very poor!" he moaned. "I have no home. No mother. No father. Everyone is cruel to me. The little dog was my only friend, and now you have taken her from me."

Tony was born with the Italian gift for beautiful acting. He now acted his best for Anna. While some of his pitiful tale was true, some was sprinkled with the fairy dust of fancy.

"Every morning Guido beats me," he made up. "He uses a big stick. And when he stops beating me, he makes me sing to him. Then, all day long he feeds me bird-seed mixed with soap and nothing else!"

Anna's gentle eyes grew wider and wider, her tender heart softer and softer.

Tony warmed to his work. His success encouraged him. He began to gesture with his arms. He began to invent wild tales.

"Often I fall upon the streets because I am so hungry," he continued. "When it rains, Guido makes me lie outside the whole night through.

"One morning, when I awoke, I found myself in a pool of water. I had to swim all the way home!"

The little girl's lip began to tremble. This gave Tony added courage. He drew a deep breath. His style improved.

"And once I was thrown over a cliff. Lions came prowling…"

He stopped, for little Anna had begun to cry.

"Oh, you poor boy!" she sobbed. "I am so sorry for you! I shall tell my father and mother. They will take care of you."

"No, you must not do that," said Tony, quickly. "If your father knows I am here, he will discipline me!"

"But my father is good," said Anna.

"That is why he will discipline me," replied Tony. "Because I am bad."

Now, to a very little girl like Anna, that seemed sensible enough. She believed what Tony told her. She even believed that her father might not be kind to the beggar boy. Often her father was very severe.

So she promised that she would not tell.

"You may stay here every night, poor little boy," she said. "I will bring food and leave it for you in a dish. I will put a soft cushion inside the tent. I will never tell my father that you are here."

"Ah, grazie signorina (thank you, Miss)," said Tony, charmingly. He smiled and showed his white teeth. "How kind you are! And will you also put some candy on the dish?"

"Yes, I will, poor little boy," she answered. "What kind do you like?"

Tony thought a moment. Then he replied, "Torrone." (This is the finest and most expensive Italian candy.)

Anna promised to leave some torrone. Tony bent low and kissed her hand as he had seen the marionettes do in romantic plays.

"Felicissima notte, bella signorina! (Good-night, beautiful Miss!)" he murmured.

Again his play acting and falsehoods had brought him success! He did not even know that he had done anything wrong. Poor neglected little Tony!

CHAPTER VI

CITIES, ANIMALS, AND DISCIPLINE

Next day Tony left Anna's garden early in the morning. He ambled along the smooth motor road, singing and begging whenever he found someone to beg from.

On each side of the road were black posts with white caps on them, glistening in the sun, polished to shine. Snow-white oxen passed, driven by farmers.

In vineyards grapevines climbed and twisted about old trees. In nearly every archway a baby, a goat, or a donkey stood and stared at Tony as he passed.

Women and children with large baskets or bundles on their heads trudged by. Tiny donkeys carried mountainous loads on their backs.

Occasionally, there would be an automobile. Tony liked the little cars named "Balilla," after the Boys' Group. They are the smallest Italian cars made.

Tony bought chestnuts and munched them. Chestnuts often take the place of bread among the poor people.

Toward the end of day Tony began to miss Tina. He had seldom been separated from her for such a long time. So he returned to Anna's house.

He hoped that Anna had not forgotten to leave his dinner. He also hoped that her father would not forget to tell more stories tonight. This was a pleasant life.

But, of course, Tony was too wise to think that he could go on living like this forever. Guido might find him. Or Anna's father might discover him.

Yet if he ran off with Tina he would be a "thief like Guido!" No, that would never, never do!

Oh, how difficult it all was!

But upon arriving at Tina's tent he forgot his troubles, for he found there a neatly covered dish. It contained macaroni, meat, and salad. An ideal meal for an Italian boy!

Also, Anna had really left some torrone on the plate. Tony sighed with pleasure and began to eat. Good little Anna!

All day the little girl had been thinking of the beggar boy. However, she had kept her adventure a secret.

But, oh, Tony, beware! Anna is very young, and it is difficult for small children to keep secrets. Especially, when secrets are as interesting as you are!

This evening the weather was cooler. The moon did not shine. When Tony finished his dinner, he slipped under the window as he had done before. He hoped Anna's father would tell more stories of Italy.

Presently, he saw the family enter the room. They had dined. The mother took up her sewing. The father settled himself in his chair with a book.

Anna, with her dog, nestled down in his lap. Tony knew that now more stories were coming. He leaned against the side of the house.

He closed his eyes contentedly and listened.

"It is early," said Anna's father. "We shall have a long time to read tonight. Shall we hear more about the cities of Italy?"

"Yes, and about animals, too," said Anna.

Her father laughed. "Perhaps we shall meet some as we wander," he said. "Listen, now, while I tell you of Florence.

"It is a city of ancient palaces! In the days of the civil war, homes of the rich were built like fortresses. This was to protect them from the enemy. Most of these prison-like palaces still stand.

"Florence is a city of art! The famous Campanile, or bell tower, reminds us of its artist-architect, Giotto. Here is a story told about the painter when he was a peasant lad tending his father's sheep.

"One day a great artist named Cimabue paid a visit to the countryside. He was impressed by a sketch which the young shepherd had made.

"He gained the consent of Giotto's father to take his son to Florence. There he promised to teach the boy how to paint.

"So Giotto became Cimabue's apprentice, or helper. He worked hard and learned a great deal. But, like all boys, he was fun-loving. One day he played a joke upon his master.

"Cimabue had gone out, leaving in the studio an unfinished portrait of a gentleman. When he returned, there was a fly sitting upon the nose of his painting.

"He tried to brush off the fly but it would not move. He looked more closely and discovered what had happened. His mischievous young apprentice, Giotto, had painted that fly!

"The master was not angry. He enjoyed the joke and recognized the lad's skill.

"Giotto became known as the father of one of the first schools of painting.

"Florence is also a city of great men!

"One day, long ago, a nine-year-old boy named Dante went to the feast of flowers, which is celebrated every year. Here, among the beautiful blossoms, he beheld one more beautiful and sweet than all the rest.

"But this one was not a flower. She was a little maiden and her name was Beatrice. All day long Dante watched her as she played about, and never, throughout his whole life, did he forget her.

"Though they seldom met, the little girl named Beatrice was forever with Dante in his dreams. To her he wrote most of his marvelous poetry. For Dante became Italy's greatest poet!

"Florence, city of wonders!

"A legend tells that when Christ went to heaven he carried with him a cricket. So, each year, before Ascension Day, everybody buys a cricket.

"They guard their crickets most carefully. For, if one should die, misfortune befalls its owner.

"On Ascension Day a crowd gathers in the park. Here there is much gaiety, with balloons, music, and fireworks.

"At a certain time each person opens the door of his cricket's cage and frees it.

"This is an anxious moment. For, if the cricket leaps into the air, good fortune will follow the owner. But if he creeps slowly away, his poor owner will suffer bad luck.

"Of course, today few people really believe this. But they still keep up the quaint old custom.

"Florence is a grey cluster of narrow streets and dignified squares. It seems to bulge with art treasures, and it has a charm of its own.

"Near Florence, in Pisa, is the curious Leaning Tower. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It seems to be toppling over. Yet it has stood this way for hundreds of years. Maybe it is tired."

Anna's father stopped reading.

"Is my little girl tired, too?" he asked. "Shall I put down the book?"

"No, no, Papa!" said Anna.

Tony, under the window wanted to answer, "No, no!" too. But, then, his opinion had not been asked.

"The next story is about Venice," continued the father.

"Once upon a time there lived in Italy a people known as the Veneti. They were not fish, yet they built a city in the water.

"Savage tribes had driven them from their land. They had no home. So they settled upon some small islands at the head of the Adriatic Sea. They called their island-city Venice.

"Fish were plentiful. They salted them and traded them for treasures of all kinds. People began to come from everywhere to buy these treasures. Venice became the most important market in Europe.

"St. Mark is the patron saint of Venice. To him the Veneti, or Venetians, have built a wonderful cathedral. In front stands the statue of a lion, the favorite animal of St. Mark.

"Four huge horses adorn the door. Though they are made of bronze, they have travelled widely. They have been moved to different places at many times.

"Inside, the cathedral is decorated with mosaics. They are made of bits of colored stone or glass fitted together.

"St. Mark's Square is the largest piece of ground in Venice. The rest is water. Streets are canals. Boatmen guide long, black boats called gondolas through these canals. They sing and cry out strange signals to other boatmen.

"In years gone by Venice, like Rome, was a world of its own. A Doge, or Duke, ruled over the city.

"Between the Doge's Palace and the prison is a bridge. Over this bridge marched those condemned to prison by the Doge. As they marched they sighed and that is why the bridge is known as 'The Bridge of Sighs.'

"On one of the little islands live the glass blowers. Just as you blow soap bubbles, so they blow melted glass into vases and bowls. Venetian glass is famous.

"There are hundreds of pigeons flying about St. Mark's Square. While you are in Venice, you must surely allow a pigeon to sit upon your head. If you do not do this, your visit will not be complete and I am sure the pigeon will be disappointed!

"Naturally (and this is most important to the pigeon) you must put some corn on your head first. It is not your hair nor your hat which attracts him!

"Venice is a city of Dreams! And – animals!"

The father looked up from his book. Anna laughed.

"Yes, that is true," she said. "There was St. Mark's lion, the bronze horses, the pigeons, and – and – oh, yes, the fish!"

"You have forgotten some of the other animals we read about in the stories of other cities," said her father.

Anna looked puzzled.

"Don't you remember the crickets of Florence?" asked her father. "And that fly which Giotto painted on the nose of Cimabue's painting!"