The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-05-23
Aunsehn1a agnrds.
AN ORPHAN GIRL IN ITALY.


black, who asked some of the scholars If she
could be accepted as a pupil. of course
received her with pleasure, and the following
conversation took place:
"What is your name
penelope Will"
"What is your fathers name?'
"Peter Will; but 1 do not know MIN, for
ne died before l was born"
"And your mOther?"
"Her name is Theresa, but she died Two
months ago?"
"What is your age?'
81 am nine years old, and live with my
aunt at -"
"Why, poor child, who advised you to
come here to school three miles from home,
when you have school only one mile from
your"
"It is now three years, sir, since | began
to attend that school, and l cannot read in the
First Reader yet p
"Perhaps you have a bad memory ?"
ooh, no. The teacher says it is not ne
cessary for women to know how to read and
write, so that they know their oraziOa (pray,
ers J"
Penelope attended our school for almost
FIVE years with great perseverance and sue
cess. Neither storms nor wind, rain nor
snow, kept her away from the school, which
is elementary or public, as well as religious,
and Sunday School.
In April, 1875, Penelope told nae, With
tears in her eyes, that she had had trouble
with her aunt, and was going to leave. She
had found a place as servant in somewhat
sristocratc house. l gave her Bible; read
to her the 10th verse of the 10Th chapter Of
Matthew told her that she was to be sent
forth as a sheep amid wolves, not to lose
courage, but to keep aud use the Bible as
her sword of defence, and to spread its truths
60 everybody and at all times
Thirteen months passed and not word
was heard of poor Penelope; she was fight
ing the good fight, but did not want to tell
me of her troubles.
But last June l received letter from
Madame Emilia Ferrantini, PenelOpe's mis-
tress, requesting me to go and see her, to
talk about religion. l promised to 60, but
could not on account of sickness. When she
found out could not go, she came herself
with Penelope, and told me the following in-
seresting story;
"When Penelope came to me l thought
she was some ignorant and incapable country
girl; but was surprised at her intelligence
about the house-work, and after few days
became very fond of her. The ParocO (the
head priest of the town. frequented our house
often, and appeared pleased with the girl /;
but after a time he complained to US that
Penelope did not come to church. He told
her to 20 to mass, but she never would.
Finally we said to her that unless she went
TO church we would send her away from the
house. Then Penelope answered: Dear
lady, l am sorry, and surprised at the same
time, that you, lady so learned and pro-
Tossing to be liberal, should still believe those
impostures of the priests l will not make
a slave of my conscience for your sake. l
have faith very different from yours, and
you will never succeed in taking me away
from the arms of my Saviour Jesus Christ,
to put me at the feet of dirty priest. In
the meantime, dear lady, l will get ready
and depart from your house. +" "Believe
me-" continued the lady, "thcse words
wounded my heart. I, my husband, and my
two elder sons, stood like statues; then my
husband said: This girl is anything but ig-
norant; We must do all We can to induce her
to stay; let the priest go to perditiOn rather
than let her 90 away. Thinking that Pene-
lope was crying in her room, l went to the
door, but heard her speak, and saw through
the keyhole that she was reading. What was
nv surprise on hearing such words as these:
Jesus Christ has said, They have prosecuted
me, and they will prosecute you alsO;' Thy
will be done;' God is the strength of my
life; of whom should l be afraid?' God, l
confde in Thee, make me not to be afraid.
These and other words compelled me to re-
tire to my room, that she might not hear me
weep, and that / might not disturb her. In
q few minutes my husband came in COnsidera
rabiv moved, and said to me: Penelope is
a good Christian girl, and has been reading
she Bible, and l do not want her to 60 away
upon any account l being of the same
opinion, said to myself; The priest shall
never put bis foot into my house any more.
So We went to Psnelopes room, and found
her TRANQUILITY reading. / called her in a
voice full Of emotion, and told her what |
mad decided upon. my lady, said she, do
not cry ; and she began to tell me about the
Book and it's words"
The evangelist adds: Penelope has be-
come as one Of the family Of Ferrantini; she
has charge of the house and of things gene
rally. The whole family is composed Of four
teen persoue, and before every meal both
proprietors and servants Join together in
prayer. They have established nice hall
for purposes Of eyangelization, and on their
table Is always to be seen large Bible,
printed in Rome. During the winter they
spend their time in the evenings in reading