The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-01-31
THE ATTAINMENT
OF TITO.
515752515lSI5152slS25lSlS15
BY Elinor M. Locke.

BY Elinor M. Locke.
Tito and little Antonio sat upon
the doorstep Of 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
had said they were cold. Antonio
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 eyer-grow-
ing respect.
"Antonia, said Tito. when we
are grown up you will see what
great things will do. r am going
to be a very great man."
What will you do?" demanded An
tonia, eagerly. Both children spoke
the musical Italian of their fathers.
Il shall be motorman," declared
Tito. Or perhaps President"
GA prnci1orf .r,,ar;nJ
specially. What is that?'
"A President is a man who knows
all things and rides about in gold
en- coach, and wears purple cloak
heard man on the street today
say that anyone could be the Presi-
dent, and though would like to
ride in that coach with purple
clothes"
.'Yesi" cried Antonio. "And what
else?v
Tito smiled at her enthusiasm. 81
will have 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
~ "and he has eggs to eat and
much milk to drink"
The President must be 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
g long, long golden beard, and he
mas red handkerchief on his head
and earrings in his ears, Think
responded Tito with much enjoy
ment and to emphasize his pleas
ure ne wriggled his feet and unseat-
cd the faithful Antonio. and that lady
being unwilling to fall alone, Nhey
Doth rolled down the steps.
Did hurt your" exclaimed Tito
remorsefully as he picked his little
friend up in his arms and endeayored
10 sit her on the step again.
No" answered Antonio philosophi-
caiiy; but do not do it again. You
might hurt your back"
Do you think" asked Tito after
a thoughtful silence, that one might
be the President with hump on
tho back?"
4 think So" said Antonio reflec.
lively. Why not?"
1t is SO ugly" began Tito: "but
I've had it so long / don't mind ID
Do you think the purple cloak would
cover it up?"
Antonio Rugged the beloved feet
as she saw the tears in Tito's patient
eyes.
4 think it is beautiful hump,"
sne cried, valiantly. "and 1 am sure
no one could see it in the purple
cloak
You are good girl" said Tito.
comforted. When 1 am the Presi-
dent, you shall marry me. Would
you like that?"
u would" cried Antonio; sand per.
haps shall do great things. too.
What could do?"
You. little Antonia." said Tito
very tenderly. why, you are only
q little girl. Only men do great
things, but you shall be my wife ana
have silken gown and bows upon
your slippers
1t was at this point that Antonia's
mother remembered her and bore her
or to bed, leaving Tito alone and
chilled on the step.
Twelve years later the tive wslked