Page:Tom Beauling (1901).pdf/71

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Dirge" to "The Girl I left Behind Me." They said in the village it was a pity Judge Tyler set so much on Tom Beauling's voice, as it would end by making the boy uppish. This was a mistake; praise was water to the duck's back. He sang only because he loved to sing. Of an evening, the judge would lay down his book and say:

"Tommy, let's have the 'High Road.' It was the judge's favorite song. Instantly the head would tip back, the big, sweet mouth open, and a sweet, tremendous roar come out:

"Oh ye'll tak' the high road and I'll tak' the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye—"

As he grew older, Tommy learned to control his voice and give people strange emotions. He learned this all of a sudden. He came in one night, very tired, and sang "The Low-backed Car" softly, under his breath, as it were, and when he looked up Judge Tyler and the doctor