Little Tony of Italy Part 6

[Ill.u.s.tration: INSIDE THE COLOSSEUM: ROME]

"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 b.a.l.l.s!"

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 ash.o.r.e 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: TREVI FOUNTAIN: ROME]

"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 hors.e.m.e.n, and 37 elephants. This march over the Alps is considered one of the most wonderful military feats of ancient days.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A PARADE Pa.s.sING THE COLOSSEUM: ROME]

"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 b.u.mped 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!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: "AH. TINA MIA, I HAVE FOUND YOU AGAIN."]