Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 March 1910 — TWO GREAT LITTLE MEN. [ARTICLE]

TWO GREAT LITTLE MEN.

Yewtkfnl Royal Co a alma la Solemn Exehaace of Ameaitiea. Apart from personal considerations the most endearing quality of royalty is its picturesqueness, and something pathetic and charming always clings about the small person of “the child born to be a king,” as the old ballad puts It. Two of the most important as well as the most engaging little boys in Europe are the 5-year-old czarowitz and the prince of Piedmont, heir to the Italian throne, who was born In the same year, the Lady's Realm says. The royal cousins have just been exchanging amenities In the shape of decorations. With - all due and solemn ceremony the small Grand Duke Alexei Nicolaievitch sent over to Prince Umberto Nicola Tommaso Giovanni Marla the much-coveted Rus 4ian Order of St Andrew, set la brll-

Manta, while “Little Italy,” with becoming courtesy, returned his thanks in the shape of the star of the Order of Aundnciata. The joys of swapping are probably unknown to grand dukes, but what else would an ordinary boy of 5 want to do but change his sparkling star for his sister’s Teddy bear or box of bricks? Alexis, if oue is to believe all one hears, has a great idea of making his four pretty sisters do what he wants. Certainly the little chap may lay claim to a good deal of sisterly spoiling to make up for the embarrassment of being the richest child In the world, hetman of all the Cossacks and in command of several regiments besides. The king of Italy’s son and heir has also had military greatness thrust upon him, and the best-selling picture postcard In the Italian capital represents Umberto in a gorgeous uniform with cuirass and medals and epaulets all complete. Some time back an astrologer of sorts cast the prince’s horoscope. According to his showing the little boy has many thrills ahead of him, and will live to see the downfall of the papacy, and, still more exciting, the decline and fall of the British empire. So we wish him'a long life, and a merry one.