Page:Tom Beauling (1901).pdf/80

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The father turned his head to the wall, and whimpered for the joy of the naming. After a long time he said:

"My son, if you are to be what I want you to be, you will be a good man and a gentleman. Little else counts. Tom Beauling, after whom you are named, was a man who wanted to marry your mother when she was in great distress. He is dead now. He was a failure, I believe. But I take it that he was a good man and a gentleman. Be like that. Honorable in great matters and minute, a friend to those who need friends. And be clean. I"—the judge spoke almost bashfully—"am an old man, but I have come through as innocent as the day I was born. I am proud of you, Tommie; but I'm prouder of that. Go about the world, and the sea—friendly and honest—and some day, because you are a son of old earth, you will find the port where you would be, and there heave your pyramid. Make the world a little better for your presence in it. That's what I want you to do." The old gentleman smiled cunningly. "Tommie," he said, "I've