Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

202 DANGER IN THE DARK.
"Only consider, Mrs. Foresti, how many thousands
of such boys there are in this city of Rome; look at
the gangs of beggars we daily meet on the streets;
and it is so throughout all Italy. Ou every hand, we
see multitudes of idle, dissipated, animalized young
men and boys, who depend for subsistence on begging,
stealing and robbery! You'll have your hands full,
at least, if you undertake to reform the habits, and
improve the condition of all who need it."
"The facts to which you refer, Mr. Foresti, the
deplorable ignorance and consequent viciousness of
the youth of this country, cause me to be astonished,
that the Pope is forever taxing us here, for the purpose
of building up schools and colleges in the United
States-when such institutions are so much more
needed in our own country."
"You are always finding fault with the Pope, and
casting slurs upon our holy religion."
"Say not so, my dear husband; I've never been
disposed to wound your feelings, yet I speak of things
that look strange to me. I dare say, you cannot yourself
be blind to the glaring inconsistency of sending
so much money from this benighted land, where more
than nine-tenths of the population are entirely illiterate,
and have not the means nor opportunity of obtaining
education, to another nation, abundantly
more blessed in educational advantages, as well as in
every other respect. Throughout the United States,
the people are supplied with free schools; and the
poor are educated as well as the rich. Were this