Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-03-14
HARETTA' 5 IDEAL.
1000 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ceooteosoN.


Soore coeooce ososaoeeosoeoono
Ipl rude little wooden table on the
corner of a street that branched
from the Via Roma, still popularity
called 10y its old name of Via Toledo,
the most lively thoroughfare of the
great city of Naples. She was a
street singer, and her only posses
sions consisted of a rude table, an
earthen salad bowl decora ed with
blue fowers--into which the passers-
by threw their otferings-and a we'll
worn guitar. Every morning prompt
" at seven Marietta came with her
table, placed it in its accustomed
/ nook with the empty bowl at one
corner, and, without much ado, took
/ mp her guitar and in a sweet, plain
tive voice sang hymns for full hour
/ From eight until noon she rendered
/ ambitious operate selections; in the
| afternoon she alternated stirring ma
tional airs with songs of love, hero
/ ism and adventure, and in che even
ing she changed her programme to
the most popular ballads of the day.
Principally at IL o'clock, when the
streets became deserted, Marietta
hung her guitar over her shoulder,
extinguished the light that stood
neat her contribution bowl, poured
the money into her pocket, and, after
hiding the lamp in a secret niche in
the wall near by, lifted the table over
her head and wandered away to the
tenement district where the tall, mar
row houses swarm with children, like
rabbits in warrens, and where whole
families live huddled together with
out cleanness or decency, and the
air resourds at once with blows and
cries and singing and laughter. Here
she slept in the small hallway of n
tumble-down shanty which served as
a cObblcr's workshop.
But Marietta was not alone in the
world. Her widowed mother con-
trived to make living from the sale
of handllerchiefs, opera glasses, cigar
cases. spectacles and miscellany of
such articles, which both her half
grown sons managed to steal from I'M
suspecting tourists or simple strangers
from neighboring cities. Signora
Poli understood her calling thor
oughly. and her boys were shrewd
and active. Altogether, they Jared
wei. although occasionally there came
hungry day. Once every week the
family assembled at the Villa Reale,
the famous Neapolitan promenade
garden on the Chiaja, where the band
gives open-air concerts. Then Mari
eta purchased for each an orange
and a few roasted chestnuts, and
slipped few lire into the greedy
palms Of her mother. After hat each
went his way. The ragged young
sters passed their nights in unguard-
ed barges or the large baskets and
empty casks that were unloaded from
the ships at the wharves, AMI at noon
the next day met their mother at
macaroni stall along the Moo. Here
they delivered the articles they had
stolen, and related their adventures
as they ravenously devoured their
j fried fish or macaroni made palatable
with oil and tomato sauce. And
sometimes, when they had Leen un-
usually successful, their mother al
lowed them other luxuries. Their
meal ended, they separated again
wandering about the city in search
Of new victims. So lived the Poll
family in true Neapolitan fashion
never knowing what the morrow
would bring, and dependent entirely
on their own versatility as, liars
cheats and thieves.
Marietta was the only one of the
family who possessed one faint sparl
of decency and responsibility; SHE
clothed herself neatly, at least had {
roof to cover her head at night, ant
earned considerable money. Hel
brothers declared that she Otter
cleared as much as three lire a day
- and. with their mother, wondered
what became of this great wealth
% However, only when they were in thu
direst need did they dare turn t.
Marietta for assistance; and then sh'
responded none too generously-onl!
enough to tide them over their diff
culties.
The Neapolitans. considered Mariet
ia beautiful From her father sh'
inherited a stately figure, smooth
broad forehead, and large. dream,
ewes. and from her Sicilian mother
n sharp, straight nose, small moutl
with firm lips, and wonderful mas
of curly hair, which fell in ringlet
about her face as she sang witt
downcast eyes, This was her favor
- lite attitude, but when a contribution
, was thrown into her bowl either il
compliment to the music or in com
Il passion for the songstress, she raises
her pretty face and expressed he
thanks with a grateful smile. Sh
found no pleasure in conversing wit
the men who attempted to iirt wit
her. but. between songs, chatted wit
e her neighbors, who presided owe
stalls where shells, coral, photo
e graphs, pumpkin seeds, fish. fruit an
IL. lemonade were offered for sale.
OF The street singer had an enviabl
reputation, even among tn, poore
classes, and many families of goo
II standing in the vicinity presented he
a, with their cast-off clothing. An oil
nobleman, Prince Dorando. as h
passed on his way to his palace eac
. day. bowed respectfully to Marietta
b. and. at his death, left her 200 lire
rs consideration of his esteem. Ever
Y che rejoiced at her good FORUM
Sometimes liberal strangers, Ease
mated by her beauty, attempted
s.. make undue advances, but she r.
pclled them with her indifference.
was even said that her first real al
mircr. who was employed at the Hot
Ell de Rome, and sported gorgeous gol'
OF laced uniform, had been quick
brought to his senses when bis low
co. -,,.1-i,,o became too ardent.