The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-03-07
THE ATTAINMENT OF TITO.
BY rLrSoR N. LOCKE.

NJ
Tito and little Antonia sat upon
the doorstep of the rickety old tene-
ment which was their common dwell
ing. Tito occupied the top step while
Antonia sat devotedly below and held
his bare feet in her lap, because he
had said they were cold. Antonia
herself wore the stockings which her
mother shared with her, and which
hung loosely about her slen6er legs,
but Tita had no mother, and there
fore, 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 Antonia 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 dilapidated straw hat /;
and at all times, as at the present,
she listened to his whimsical fancies
with an ever growing 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
Antonia, eagerly. Both children
spoke the musical Italian of their
fathers.
II shall be motorman," declared
Tito. "Or perhaps President"
"a President?" queried Antonia,
F9sPeetfu1fy. ssWhat Is that p
"a President Is a man who knows
all things and rides about in golden
coach, and wears purple cloak. l
heard a man on the street today say
that anyone could be the President,
and I thought I would like to ride in
that coach with purple clothes"
Eyes - cried Antonia. "And what
else 7"
Tito smiled at her enthusiasm. II
will have a great house." he contin-
ued. "a house wherein are seven
large rooms"
Antonia shifted. "That is too
many. What would you do with so
manyl"
People do have them," Tito main
tanned. 81 have seen them"
docs the President?" asked the
little girl.
Eyes, he does," answered Tito
firmly, land he has eggs to eat and
much milk to drink"
1.-The President must be a very
stout man," surmised Antonia, sur
veying her own exceeding slimness
and fully aware that there is reason
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, think re-
sponded Tito with much enjoyment,
and to emphasize his pleasure he wrig-
gled his feet and unseated the faith
full Antonia, and that lady being un-
willing to fall alone, they both rolled
down the steps.
"Did l 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 Antonia philoso-
phically; "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 hump on the
back ~
81 think SO, said Antonia refec-
lively. "Why not?"
"It Is so ugly" began Tito but
I've had 1t so long l don't mind it.
Do you think the purple cloak would
cover 1t up?"
Antonia hugged the beloved feet as
she saw the tears in Tito's patient eyes.
81 think it is a beautiful hump u
she cried, valiantly, "and 1 am sure
no one could see it in the purple
cloak"
"You are good GIRL" said Tito,
comforted. when / am the Presi-
dent you shall marry me. Would
you like that9"
"I would" cried Antonia and
perhaps 1 shall do great things, too.
What could l dor"
"You, little Antonia," said Tito
very tenderly. "Why, you are only
little girl. Only men do great
things, but you shall be my wife and
have silken gown and bows upor
your slippers.
1t was at this point that Antonia':
mother remembered her and bore hel
off to bed, leaving Tito alone an6
chilled on the step.
Twelve years later the two walked
home from the rehearsal of the lighi
opera in which Antonio was singing.
Many years make changes and Anto'
MIA had grown tall and slender, with
a beautiful dark Italian face and {
smile like Italian sunshine. Tito
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