Little Tony of Italy

by Madeline Brandeis

SORRENTO [Photo by Courtesy of Italian Tourist Information Office

But he and everyone else in Pompeii could still be saved if they would only listen to him.

He began to cry out in the streets and to run back and forth. A young Paul Revere!

"Awake! Awake! Vesuvius will erupt today! Pompeii will be buried! Run and save yourselves!" he cried.

"Go home to bed, stupid boy!" growled the people.

But Tony would not go. He screamed louder and louder.

"To jail with him," said someone. "He must have an evil spirit!"

So poor Tony and his dream were thrown into jail in ancient Pompeii.

Morning came. Over the top of the volcano hung a dark cloud. The leaden sky frowned down. Tony kicked at the bars of the jail. He screamed. He pleaded. He cried.