Little Tony of Italy

by Madeline Brandeis

TONY AND THE BALILLA

Several weeks passed. Tony was living with Guido.

Each day the Marionette Man sent him to the hotels to beg. Each evening he had to help with the show. He set the tiny stage and dusted the theatre.

If he did not do his work properly, Guido would smile and say, "No supper tonight for lazy people!"

This would not have mattered so much to Tony if it had not been for Tina. But when Tony did not eat, then neither did Tina.

The small scraps that Guido threw to the dog were not enough to keep her alive. So Tony always divided his meals with the friend he loved.

"I DIE OF HUNGER!"

Today, as usual, Tony, with his dog, trudged along on his way to the hotels. Once there, he stood outside of one and waited. Two foreign ladies appeared at the door. Immediately, tears gathered in Tony's eyes. He ran up to them eagerly.