The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-16
PADR0NE ANTONIO BRIGLIA.
THE STORY rom YESTERDAY BY TWO
LITTLE IrILTIN GIRLS.


fff I'm ~ ffffN
Brought TO this tonnt'y 80 Play the violin-
One Meat "a Hay, and that oniy Bread
Promises not K.pt Il IL rn,sIsii"gt
The Italian padronc, Antonio Brglin, was
before United States Commissioner Osborn
again yesterday for examination on tho charge
OF bringing to this country italian children,
whom no has held IN Involuntary scrvitudo
contrary TO law. Tho two little italian girls
upon whose behalf the complaint was made
were present. rs wcro ulso number Of Brig
las friends and countrymen
Onlrer Chiard told tho story Of the arrest Of
Briglia. already published In THE sun. and
then tho older girl Maria Antonia Tardognn
was examined by the Commissioner. by MIR.
Delnneld for tho Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty to Children and by Mr.. Rarcy for tho
prisoner She could not speak word OF Eng
lish. and testified through an interpreter. Mr.
Dolaneld had previously requested that the
prisoner should be taken out Of the room. Mr.
Racey had objected to- this, however. on tho
ground that. under the Constitution OF tho
United States, tho accused had the right to be
confronted with the aecuser. The Commits
sionor compromised the matter by ordering
briglia TO sit with his back 10 the little girls
while they were telling their story Joseph
Falvella was sworn IA Interpreter. As he was
a friend Of tho accused. Officer Chlardi was in
structed to stand near him and listen critically
TO his TRANSACTIONS.
The elder girl testified that she was 4 years
old. Ind been taught TO believe In the existence
Of God. knew she would he punished in this
world and the next II she did wrong and knew
the difference between right and wrong. Her
father died two years ago. She has one sister
lived in Marsicoterc itaiy' and her mother was
poor and worked FOR her living. She first saw
Briglia ut his house in Italy. where she had
her mothers house 4 woman had come 10 her
mother and told her that Briglia would take the
children TO this country. She did not know the
dii not 80 with the womun TO Brig
LAS, house, hut went with little boy
that she went ana saw Brigia At her own house.
The man who taught her music was John Bnp-
company with Bnpista and several little girls.
she did not see Briglia again until they arrived
~ MlrsVt, !irs. W,nisto uley TOOK tue steamboat
Tor New York. There were seven children IN
all who came here 1T that time. BriGia had
charge OF them on the ship. Her mother know
she was coming, and gave her consent. Wit
ness was dressed rs n boy. When she left hnr
mother kissed her good-by. and told her to look
out and be careful She knew she WIS coming
here to play the violin She did not see her
mother receive any money. although she was
present when her mother talked with Briglia.
tliked with her. Then Briglia said, " Let her
come" Then her mother said Yes" Wit
there joined by some other little boys and girls.
stayed thcrc tire or four days. Thence they
went TO Naples, and thenceto Marseilles.
The other girl Maria Gargona. aged years.
said that she lett her native country because
they were STRIVING. The padrone was first
told no. but finally persuaded her mother by
giving her some money. Both her father AMI
mother knew wncn she started for this country,
and both Of them kissed her good-by. She
camo TO this. country because she had nothing
To eat. She knew she was going to play the
violin; John Baptista taught her. as he did
parents that the children could make their for
tunes IN this country. and had promised the
they would come quietly; but he had given
them mother money nor clothes. witness
would like to 20 back home Briclla fod them
only once day. and then gave them only
broad. and not enough OF that.
The elder girl wits recalled. and said that she
too WAS sorry that she had ever come To- this
country. and sinted to 20 back to her mother.
Brilia sent them out 10 play their violins IN the
streets. and took the money they earned-aboW
sixty cents day. They slept in little room:
Briglla slept in the same room. as did also
boy about fourteen years Of age.
Both girls were shabbily dressed in some
dingy thick stun. with cotton handkerchiefs
over their black hair. Their large lus,rous
them the appearance ot much Older girls than
they represented themselves 10 be-. They gave
their testimony with prOmptncss and without
emotion. except when thoy were asked If they
would Ike 70 return with Briglia, when hoth
said Nom with a shudi"r and = look Of
dread that told more than any words they had
spoken 81 their ~ treaimrnt. All they said IA
- lltthNlfh WIS w. tltf nth Witill 10 20 Win
HIM because be did not treat ua wei. "
The elder girl sand further that Brglia had
told them they might 10 home after they had
played the violin four years.
Commissioner Osborn decided that the evil
dence WIS not enough To- hold Brigliia on the
charge OF keeping the children in involuntary
servitut" tut he was not equally certain that
Brglia had not violated the statute against IN
v"igling lie WAS inclined 10 think that Brigia
had dnc' ived the parents Of the children by
promises OF money that they were to earn, and
in doing that he might have ibid himself open
to the charge Of inyeigllng. The counsel were
requested To argue that point on Wednesday
the ON 'ers who scar med Rrigliu's room
found some letters which they think show that
some trouble has arisen at the homes Of tho
children on account Of Briglia's operations The
letters are rs follows:
Extract from letter to Briglia from his wfcl
A. Tor what concerns the children must hope that
Il VIII nothing because there written iu
dcuturf. II was God grace that Did not mske
them. because went 90 al, AMI they lold Inst
nothing be done and then other persons called
but All SAID that they DID not know anything about
alter all Likely II will come Ia nothing. an they s
snh that the children hat zone 10y themselves The
compare. Don Philippe kasso. has done good deal fur
volt. much TINT the delegate police commits ,ourrl
and also about letters aud he himself Itifc bonl
told that they cannot do any thing without the
ten indeninrcs
Extract from letter by Nicola Brigla to his
brother. Antonio Briglia.l
hear that the win Nicola Sapctis=e has made a
compliant To the delegate do not believe It, but she
woman. ami may have done II, hut do burrn~ any
trouble II there II trisl will what can 10
done without your getting anxious