On the side of one of the vine-clad hills of Italy dwelt a poor man with
a large family. Though he was a hard-working man, he could only earn
enough to poorly support his children, and to give them an education was
beyond his power. He was an intelligent man, and though he had grown up
without even learning to read, he wanted his children to have the
advantages of schools and books, and he decided to seek for them a home
in America. He saved all the money he could from his meagre earnings to
pay the expense of the voyage. It was a hard struggle, and there were
many days of stern self-denial and stringent economy ere the required
amount could be obtained. When one has an earnest purpose, and bends his
energies to accomplish it, he is quite sure of success. It was thus with
this Italian family. Both father and mother were united in carrying out
one fixed purpose,--to give their four children the advantages of a land
of free schools,--and though their struggles were hard, yet they were
working for their loved ones, and love lightens heavy burdens. There
always comes pleasure from what is done for the benefit of others.
When all was ready they embarked from Genoa one evening, as the sunset
sent a radiant glow over mountain and valley.
Silvio and Francesco were the youngest of the four children. The two
eldest boys, like their parents, were sad at leaving their youthful
companions, and sat in the stern of the ship and watched the receding
hills till the rosy light faded, and darkness shut out from view their
native land forever.
Silvio was nine years old, and Francesco two years younger. They did not
realize the journey which was before them, nor did they regret at
leaving. They were charmed with the novelty of the scenes around them.
They watched the sailors in their duties about the ship, and listened to
the captain's stern orders. The harbor was gay with the lights of the
many crafts, large and small, which were gliding about over the placid
surface of the gulf. So quiet were the waters that one would never dream
that they could ever be ruffled, or cause the voyager discomfort. As
their ship glided out of the placid Gulf of Genoa into the Mediterranean
Sea all on board were anticipating a quick and prosperous voyage, and a
safe landing on the bright shores of America.
Alas, how uncertain is the future! A terrific storm arose when within a
few days' sail of the American coast. The masts and rudder were carried
away by the wind, and the hulk then drifted at the mercy of the waves.
The captain and several of the crew were washed overboard in the first
encounter with the gale, and the lifeboat, which many of the passengers
took when it was believed the ship was sinking, was swamped, and all in
it lost. A few others remained on the hulk, and stayed on deck in hopes
to signal some passing vessel which had outridden the storm. One by one
these were swept overboard, or died from exposure. Silvio and Francesco
were so small that they were not allowed on deck. When the storm
commenced they were sleeping in the forecastle, in the berth of a kind
old sailor who had given them the use of it. His dog was their sleeping
companion by night and playfellow by day. These three were secured below
during the storm, and were forgotten during the excitement and distress
on board. The parents of the boys were swept overboard on the first
night of the storm, and their brothers were lost in the lifeboat, and
their old sailor friend died from exposure and over-exertion on the
second day of the storm. Thus they were bereft of both kindred and
friend, and, though they were unconscious of their situation, they were
drifting upon the ocean on a wave-tossed bark, with no living companion
but the sailor's dog.
Three days thus they drifted on the merciless ocean, wondering why they
were left alone in the forecastle; and when they called for help all the
reply was the dashing of the waves against the shattered ship.
Fortunately, a large steamer which had withstood the storm saw the
shattered hulk drifting upon the waves, and sent men on board to rescue
any who might be found alive. All had been swept away, and desolation
reigned on deck. To their surprise, on opening the forecastle they found
the two boys and the sailor's dog.
These helpless and homeless ones they took to the ship. Sad indeed were
they when they began to realize that their parents and brothers were
lost. They had no kindred or friends, and knew not a word of the
language of the Americans who were upon the steamer. They shed many sad
tears when the feelings of their loneliness settled upon them, and they
wished themselves in their own country, where a language was spoken
which they could understand.
There is always sunshine behind the clouds, and their shadows were
dispelled by a kind gentleman upon the steamer, who said he would care
for them and give them a home.
He commenced to teach them to speak English while on the voyage, and
amused them with various sports and games. Silvio, being the eldest,
learned quicker than his little brother, but as soon as he had learned
he taught Francesco.
When the steamer landed the kind gentleman sent them to board for a
while with a family from their own country who could speak both English
and Italian, where they soon learned to talk in both languages.
Silvio was a good object-teacher, and gave his little brother lessons.
He would introduce some game or sport as a means of communicating
instruction. It was pleasing to see them together. They would sit by the
fire in the Italian's cottage, with the old sailor's dog, which the
gentleman who had befriended the children said should not be taken from
them, and Silvio would teach his brother.
They learned to play "cratch cradle," and when they did this the names
of every thing used were learned. When one is learning a new language it
is word by word; so in this game they learned to count, and to name the
words, such as hand, finger, string, cross, and others that suggested
themselves in the course of the game. Some children call this game
"cat's cradle," but it should be "cratch cradle." A cratch is a
cross-legged crib from which cattle are fed. It is also the shape of a
cradle, or child's sleeping-crib, and, as the strings take this shape
upon the fingers, the game has received that name.
These boys learned very rapidly, and the gentleman who had befriended
them soon took them from the Italian's cottage, and sent them to the
best schools in America. Both became distinguished scholars. Silvio is
now a celebrated artist, and Francesco a musician whose vocal and
instrumental acquirements have charmed the largest audiences, and
received the highest praise of the world. Both have visited their native
country, and have pursued their studies among their own countrymen, but
they have never heard of any of their own kindred. The gentleman who
befriended them still lives to see the good results of his kind deed,
and they, in return, look upon him with feelings of love and gratitude.
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