UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00025764432 ^ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://archive.org/details/ourlittleitalianOOwade TESSA Our Little Italian Cousin THE Little Cousin Series (trade mark) Each volume illustrated with six or more full-page plates in tint. Cloth, i2mo, 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 L. C. PAGE New England Building, 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 £r COMPANY Boston, IViass. TESSA 4* & I TESSA I * Our Little Italian Cousin 4^ t By f * ....... * * *. * Mary Hazelton Wade Illustrated by L. J. Bridgman PUBLISHERS * * Boston T L. C. Page & Company Copyright, igoj 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 v vi Preface 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, per- haps 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 g II. Rome 18 III. The Story of /Eneas . . . -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 1 15 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 9 io Our Little Italian Cousin 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 f.nd 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 Tessa 1 1 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 12 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 Tessa 13 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 in- side 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 14 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 hus- band, " 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 dis- tance from home," continued her mother. " She is not heavy. She can sit on Pietro's back between the panniers. I will not load Tessa 1 5 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 fin- ished. 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. Be- sides, she can walk alone so well now, she is little care. As for the garden, there is not 1 6 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 mbtress 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 Tessa 17 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 18 "BEPPO WALKED BY HER SIDE" Rome 19 artist. Beppo had told her of their blue eyes and golden hair. He called them little angels. 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 20 Our Little Italian Cousin a group of women were doing the family wash- ing. 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 some- thing 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 Rome 21 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 learn- ing, 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. Some- thing 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. 22 Our Little Italian Cousin 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. Rome 23 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 for- ward. 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 de-. served the name of Rome, or " The Famous." " What are those large mounds we are pass-* ing ? " 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." 24 Our Little Italian Cousin " Tessa, look at that stone water-way run- ning 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 pass- ing 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 6on, tried to make it look as cheerful as usual. " You shall not grow old and bent like that, Rome 25 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. 26 Our Little Italian Cousin l " You can't tell about these places by the outside," Beppo whispered. " Many of them are palaces, Tessa. Just v^ait till we come to our artist's house. It is I 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 chil- \ Rome 27 dren." 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 28 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 an- swered in Italian. " I am glad you are here. This is Beppo, I believe. I have seen you Rome 29 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. 30 Our Little Italian Cousin " 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 Rome 31 herself when she saw the golden curls of Lucy and the fair, sweet faces of her brother and her- self. 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 ? " 32 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 IN THE PALACE GARDEN Rome 33 here and bring our friends when we like. Let us go into the gardens beyond." The little Italians had Lardly time to notice the statues and the beautiful plants before they were led into the great garden. Here were orange-trees loaded with the yel- low 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 o< Our Little Italian Cousin 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 Rome 35 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." 2,6 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 Rome 37 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 jENEAS 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 38 The Story of ^Eneas 39 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 whole- some. It is obtained from olives, you know, instead of the fat of pigs. People would use 4-0 Our Little Italian Cousin 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. The Story of ^Eneas 41 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 calces. 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. 42 Our Little Italian Cousin " 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. The Story of ^Eneas 43 " 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 44 Our Little Italian Cousin world. It was at this time also that art and poetry flourished. Sculptors modelled beauti- ful 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. The Story of ./Eneas 45 " It was written by the poet Virgil, and tells of the wonderful things that happened to a prince called iEneas. He lived in Troy and was always called the Pious iEneas. 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 be- longed to the real history of Italy. But let me go on with my story. "iEneas 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 46 Our Little Italian Cousin the gods in whom the Trojans believed and whom they worshipped. " When they had gone a little way, iEneas 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 /Eneas 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 The Story of yEneas 47 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 iEneas 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 feast- ing 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 48 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 troub- ling 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 iEneas 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 iEneas that after he reached Italy he would find an old white sow with thirty little The Story of ^Eneas 49 pigs around her. He must build a city for himself wherever he should find her. " iEneas 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. Alter this, the old father of iEneas 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 wan- derers came to a quiet bay. They landed and found a lovely queen who treated iEneas 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 re- minded him of his duty. " He set sail once more, leaving the beau- tiful queen so unhappy that she killed herself 50 Our Little Italian Cousin with a sword her visitor had left behind. There were many other adventures, but, at last, iEneas 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 iEneas's little son said : " l We are eating our trenchers.' " When he heard these words iEneas 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 Cumae. There is another story about the building of Rome which you may like to hear some other even- ing. 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 The Story of ^neas 51 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 pres- ents 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 5* Christmas 53 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. 54 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 carnage 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. Christmas 55 Tessa heard the question. Her pretty face flushed. " Why, Arthur, he is the head of our church, the Catholic Church," she an- swered, 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 be- lieved 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. 56 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 ^s 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. Christmas 57 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. cc 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 58 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 favour- Christmas 59 ite 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 60 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 an- swered 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 Christmas 61 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." 62 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 Christmas 63 great cJmrch. 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 cov- ered 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 build- ing. 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." 64 Jr. in st. peter's Saint Peters 65 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 66 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 ex- amine this beautiful cathedral more carefully. There is a great deal you have not seen A. »> yet. In a few minutes the building was nearly Saint Peter's 67 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 differ- ent 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." 68 Our Little Italian Cousin " 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 Saint Peter's 69 1 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." 70 Our Little Italian Cousin 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. Saint Peter's 71 " I can look far out upon the sea that Co- lumbus first sailed," exclaimed Arthur. " In- deed, 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 work- men," said the guide. " They are busy all 72 Our Little Italian Cousin the time repairing the church in one part or another." " Now let us go home and have the Christ- mas dinner," said Mr. Gray, after they had rested a few moments longer. An hour afterward the children were gath- ered aroand 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 Saint Peters 73 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 74 Our Little Italian Cousin 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 Fran- cesca. " 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." 75 j6 Our Little Italian Cousin