Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-26
THE ATTAINMENT
OF TITO.
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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 1t was cold she warmed, him,
and when he was oppressed by the
neat 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 I will do. am going
to be 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 a President"
"A PRESIDENT" queried Antonio. re.
specially. What is that?"
"A President is man who knows
AL things and rides about in 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 would like to
ride in that coach with purple
Clothes"
else| As
Tito smiled at her enthusiasm. 81
WIZ nave 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. Il have seen them,
Does the President?" asked the
little girl. = :
Yes, he does" answered Tito Arm.
", andhe has eggs to eat and
much milk to drink"
The President must be a yery
stout man." surmised Antonio, sur.
yeying her own exceeding slimness
ana iully aware that there is a rea-
son for all things. what do Won
ohink he looks like, Tito?"
HE is tall, with golden hair and
9 long, long golden beard, and he
mas red handkerchief on his head
and earrings in his ears. think y
responded Tito with much enjoy
ment, and to emphasize his pleas.
ure he wriggled his feet and unseat.
cd the faithful Antonio, and that lady
being unwilling to fall alone. bhey
poth rolled down the steps.
Did 1 hurt you?" exclaimed Tito
.emorsefully as he picked his little
friend up In his armssand endeayored
TO Sit her on the step again.
NO, answered Antonio philosophi.
caliy; but do not do it again. You
might hurt your back"
DO you think" asked Tito aftor
q thoughtful silence, that one might
De the President with humt on
the back?" 1852 ~
y think So" said Antonio reflec.
lively. why not?"
1T is so ugly" began Tito: chit
I've had 1t 80 long don't mind n
DO you think the purple cloak would
cover 1t up?" 0
Antonio Rugged the beloved feet
as she saw the tears in Tito's patient
eyes. p'''ent
i think it is beautiful humn,n
she cried. valiantly. "and | am SIRE
cloak" puipie
You are good girl" said Tito.
comforted. when am the pras;'
dent, you shall marry me. would
you like that?" tu
Il would" cried Antonio "and nav
maps shall do great things, too
What could 1 do?" w.
You, little Antonia," said Tito
very tenderly. why, Won are on1v
little girl. Only men do great
.nmgs, but you shall be nv wife ana
nave silken gown and bows mon
your slippers" Non
II was at this point that Anton,a,s
mo'ner remembered her and bore her
on TO bed, leaving Tito alone and
chilled on the step. ~
twelve years later the two walked
nome from the rehearsal of the 1ieb+
opera In which Antonio was sinping
Many years make changes and An.
IONA mad grown tall and slender with
peautitul dark Italian face and a
slllle IKE Italian sunshine. Tito. also
beautiful In fragile way, bore al.
way upon his. back the burden his
Maker had strapped there -
Inc burden was especially heavy
,ust now, for Tito had sat watching
An'onlas brilliant beauty, admired
Dy the tall, straight fellows of tbs
cnorus, and that morning a specialist
had told him that his own hack
would never be straight.
he thought often in these days Of
Ine evening he spent telling Antonio
mat ne would some time be the Presi.
dent, and that she should be his
VIE. He had ceased to think Of
golden coaches and purple cloaks, but
to marry Antonia-it was too much
happiness.
What is it, Tito?" asked Antonio,
after they had walked some time in
the warm air, both silent. both dis
tressed.
-, = am going away" said Tito with
ont explanation. /