Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-02-28
THE ATTAINMENT
OF TITO.
BY Elinor NJ. Locke.

Tito and little Antonio sat upon
the doorstep CT the rickety old tene.
ment which was their common dwell
ing. Tito occupied the top step while
Antonio sat devotedly below and held
his bare feet in her lap, because he
herself wore the stockings which
her mother shared with her, and
which hung loosely about her slend-
er legs, but Tito had no mother, and
therefore, no stockings. He had only
an uncle, with whom he lived, and
who bothered himself very little
whether the boy was cold or not.
This did not trouble Tito much, for
he had the ever ready sympathy Of
Antonio in the hours of discomfort;
when it was cold she warmed him,
and when he was oppressed by the
heat she famed him with her dilapi-
dated straw hat; and at all times,
as at the present, she listened to his
whimsical fancies with an ever-grow-
ing respect.
"Antonia,' said Tito. when we
are grown up you will see what
great things will do. l am going
to be very great man."
What will you do?" demanded An.
tonia, eagerly. Both children spoke
the musical Italian of their fathers.
u shall be a motorman," declared
Tito. "Or perhaps a President"
"A President?' queried Antonio, re-
spectfully. what is that?"
"A President is man who knows
all things and rides about in a gold
en- coach, and wears a purple cloak.
heard man on the street today
say that anyone could be the Presi-
dent. and l though l would like to
ride in that coach with purple
clothes"
"Yes!" cried Antonio. "And what
else?"
Tito smiled at her enthusiasm. 81
Will have a great house." he con-
tinued. "A house wherein are seven
large rooms"
Antonio shifted. That is too MANY.
What would you do with so many?"
People do have Them" Tito main
tanned. II have seen them"
Does the President?" asked the
little girl.
Yes, he does" answered Tito firm
ly, "and he has eggs to eat and
much milk to drink"
THE President must be a very
stout man." surmised Antonio. sur
veying her own exceeding slimness
and fully aware that there is a rea-
son for all things. what do you
think he looks like, Tito?"
HE is tall, with golden hair and
a long, long golden beard, and he
has red handkerchief on his head
and earrings in his ears, I think"
responded Tito with much eniov.
ment, and to emphasize his pleas
ure he wriggled his feet and unseat-
ed the faithful Antonio, and that lady
being unwilling to fall alone, thcy
both rolled down the steps.
Did / hurt your" exclaimed Tito
remorsefully as he picked his little
friend up in his arms and endeavored
to sit her on the step again.
No, answered Antonio philosophi.
cally; but do not do it again. You
might hurt your back"
DO you think" asked Tito after
thoughtful silence, that one might
be the President with a humb on
the back?"
Il think So" said Antonio ref,ec.
lively. "Why not?"
1T is so ugly" began Tito. "but
I've had 1t so long I don't mind n
Do you think the purple cloak would
cover 1t up?"
Antonio Rugged the beloved feet
as she saw the tears in Tito's patient
eyes.
Il think 1t is a beautiful humpl"
she cried, valiantly, "and l am sure
no one could see it in the purple
cloak"
You are a good GIRL" said Tito.
comforted. when / am the Presi.
dent. you shall marry me. Would
you like that?"
would" cried Antonio: '.and per.
maps shall do great things. too
What could / do?"
You. little Antonia," said Tito
very tenderly. why, you are only
little girl. Only men do great
.nmss' but you shall be my wife ana
nave silken gown and bows unon
your slippers"
IL was at this point that Antonia,s
mother remembered her and bore her
on to bed. leaving Tito alone and
chilled on the step
Twelve years later the two waJkad
nome from the rehearsal of the light
opera in which Antonio was singing
Many years make changes and An.
tonia had grown tall and slender. with
a beautiful dark Italian face and a
smile like Italian sunshine. Tito. also
beautiful in fragile way, bore al
way upon his back the burden his
Maker had strapped there.
The burden was especially heavy
Just now. for Tito had sat watching
Antonia's brilliant beauty, admired
by the tall. straight fellows of the
chorus, and that morning a specialist
had told him that his own back
would never be straight.