Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-03-21
A TOUCHING INCIDENT,
In Which Young Italian Girl of Twelve
Years Figures.

things which happen in our everyda
life, yet what eye hath seen and ca
hath heard the tongue cannot deny
Eleven boys, the eldest sixteen an,
the youngest not over eight years @
age; one beautiful girl Of twelve sum
mers, with large sparkling eyes, ros,
cheeks, well modelled mouth, full o
spirit and expression, whose regular
features were lighted by the warn
glow of her lovely olive complexion
indications that she, az well as hel
companions, were from the Southern
part OF sunny Italy, Calabria, count,
OF the province OF Naples. This grouI
of youngsters sadly bore testimony
against inhuman parents who had sold
actually sold them to speculator in
human flesh, who was leading then
to the railway station to conduct then
to New York. Some were to be lef
at London. In both of these place:
there is good market for this class o
slaves. They differ in color and race
it is true, from those the New Eng
landers had the magnanimity to intro
duce into the Southern States long
years gone by, but nevertheless they
are slaves, as they are bound by con-
tract to the man who buys them and
hands over the money in exchange.
The guards, being attracted by the
haggard, wornout appearance OF the
squad, instantly investigated the mat
ter Finding the true state OF affairs,
they placed the overseer under arrest
and conducted the children to the
Orphans Home. The girl called her
name Teresa, although the boss had
changed her name to Concetta so rs to
use passport he had some voyages
previously obtained for his daughter,
who was now in England. Teresa
was dressed in her picturesque Nea
politan costume; white chemesette,
with full flowing sleeves; green cor
set trimmed with yellow cord, with
cute little straps across the shoulders;
red skirt turned up in front, fastened
on the hips and flowing gracefully be-
hind, showing an underskirt of many
colors; a veil which barely touched
the forehead, pinned high over the
ears and falling to mid waist, white
stockings, dainty pair of ciocie (san
dals), Neapolitan corals OF a very rare
tint and few bits of Jewelry formed
the attractive attire of this bright little
ciociarina.
The boys seemed to take matter
of fact view OF the situation and show
ed little or no desire to return to their
paternal roofs. But the girl was incon
solable. Countess L., who instantly
took her in her charge did all in her
power to soothe and pacify the weep
ing child. She could not be convinced
that she would be tenderly cared for;
between her sighs and her sobs she
implored to be taken back to her
home. She longed for her mamma.
Oh, what affections for her mother
that sublime faith in that tender heart
which could not doubt the honesty,
the goodness, the love Of her mother
When some one remarked, "why do
you desire to return to the mother
who has sold you ?" her eyes sparkled
with Indignation, her warm Italian
blood tinged her olive cheeks and
with burning face she exclaimed, mo,
my mother has not sold me; no, she
has sent me to till the Ith so that in
A few months | may return TO them
with plenty money. Oh, my mamma
md my papa give me all their love.
Send me back to them, send me back, |
md you will see with how much afiec-
.iOn they will embrace me- "
She fell 10 the ground; ON her bend |
ID knees with clasped hands she wept |
md prayed with so much nnction as
o awaken the deepest pity in the most
)bdurate heart. Convulsively seizing |
he hands of the Countess she covered |
hem with KISSES and bathed them
With her fast-fiowing tears, repeating |
n tones Of the deepest anguish
"Your gold, your riches are not
worth to me one kiss from my darling
This dainty food you give
ne cannot relish, because my poor
mother has not a part"
Conducted to the chapel she cast
lerself before the statue of the virgin
nd with her arms crossed over her
'reast she poured out the agony OF her
oul in these beautiful words:
Remember me to my mother, thou
Vho hast mothers heartp
From here she was taken into the
arden where the orphans we're taking
xercise. She gazed upon them with
look mingled with pity and sorrow.
'haking her head slowly, she said:
"How worthy they are ol compass
ion, these poor unfortunate children
hat have no mamma nor papa
Some days after, as the Countess
vas making her daily visits to the asy-
um, the child frantically entwine1 her
rms about the neck of this noble
roman and cried out in tones full OF
rief
"Reconduct me to my home; this is
ot my place. Here should have ref
ge only those unfortunate little ones
nat have no mamma have a mann
IA, and such dear one
When it was proposed to change
er dress for the asylum uniform,
he objected with a firmness far be-
ond her age, saying: There remains
} me naught but the dress OF my home.
will abandon them Never"
| remember one day when the chill
rem were endeavoring to draw her
1to their amusements soas to distract
er from her continual sadness.
Leave mel" she commanded them.
Your gayety cannot blend with my
orrow.n Running 10 an angle of the
rove, she couched upon the green
ward, and there sat, listless, pensiye,
YES turned TO the sky and filled with
,ars and strange light. Her intelli-
enee was marvellous. In five or six ,
'eeks she learned to crochet, knit
Dell and to memorize verses repeated
} her q few times. She learned part
I a dialogue which had been COM
osed for five little babes in bondage.
he part assigned Tere "a was prayer
leading for deliyerance. This she
eciaimed before the Countess, who
AS teaching the children their parts,
18th an expression Of such inetiable /.
ain and supreme fervor that the good
enefactress was at each recitation
loved to tears. The final day came,
ne day on which the children acted
-ith much grace the little drama.
he poor dear ciociarina endeaVored
} do her part, but in vain. Tears
linded her; SO full was her little heart
nat not word could she utter. She
'alked across the stage to where the
uthoress was sitting, kissed her and
'hispered into her ear when i shall
e assured that will be taken to my !
ear mamma, then | will recite my 4.
rayer for you." IL seemed impossible
nat the desire to be clasped in the
arms, that the spark OF love
Mould not cease to burn in the tender