The Complete Works of O. Henry

townsman, 'ex-Governor Pemberton.' Thus was he introduced at public gatherings where he sometimes spoke, haltingly and prosily, for his talents were too serious and deep for extempore brilliancy; thus was he presented to strangers and to the lawyers who made the circuit of the courts; and so the Daily Banner referred to him in print. To be 'the son of' was his doom. What ever he should accomplish would have to be sacrificed upon the altar of this magnificent but fatal parental precedence.

The peculiarity and the saddest thing about Billy's ambition was that the only world he thirsted to conquer was Elmville. His nature was diffident and unassuming. National or State honours might have oppressed him. But, above all things, he hungered for the appreciation of the friends among whom he had been born and raised. He would not have plucked one leaf from the garlands that were so lavishly bestowed upon his father, he merely rebelled against having his own wreathes woven from those dried and self-same branches. But Elmville 'Billied' and 'sonned' him to his concealed but lasting chagrin, until at length he grew more reserved and formal and studious than ever.

There came a morning when Billy found among his mail a letter from a very high source, tendering him the appointment to an important judicial position in the new island possessions of our country. The honour was a distinguished one, for the entire nation had discussed the probable recipients of these positions, and had agreed that the situation demanded only men of the highest character, ripe learning, and evenly balanced mind.

Billy could not subdue a certain exultation at this token of the success of his long and arduous labours, but, at the same time, a whimsical smile lingered around his mouth, for he foresaw in which column Elmville would place the credit. 'We congratulate Governor Pemberton upon the mark of appreciation conferred upon his son'-- 'Elmville rejoices with our honoured citizen, Governor Pemberton, at his son's success'--'Put her there, Billy!'--'Judge Billy Pemberton, sir; son of our State's war hero and the people's pride!'--these were the phrases, printed and oral, conjured up by Billy's prophetic fancy. Grandson of his State, and stepchild to Elmville--thus had fate fixed his kinship to the body politic.

Billy lived with his father in the old mansion. The two and an elderly lady--a distant relative--comprised the family. Perhaps, though, old Jeff, the Governor's ancient coloured body-servant, should be included. Without doubt, he could have claimed the honour. There were other servants, but Thomas Jefferson Pemberton, sah, was a member of 'de fambly.'

Jeff was the one Elmvillian who gave to Billy the gold of approval unmixed with the alloy of paternalism. To him 'Mars William' was the greatest man in Talbot County. Beaten upon though he was by the shining light that emanates from an ex-war governor, and loyal as he remained to the old regime, his faith and admiration were Billy's. As valet to a hero, and a member of the family, he may have had superior opportunities for judging.

Jeff was the first one to whom Bill revealed the news. When he reached home for supper Jeff took his 'plug' hat and smoothed it before hanging it upon the hall-rack.

'Dar now!' said the old man: 'I knowed it was er comin'. I knowed it was gwine ter happen. Er Judge, you says, Mars William? Dem Yankees done made you er judge? It's high time, sah, dey was doin' somep'n to make up for dey rascality endurin' de war. I boun' dey holds a confab and says: 'Le's make Mars William Pemberton er judge, and dat'll settle it.' Does you have to go way down to dem Fillypines, Mars William, or kin you judge 'em from here?'

'I'd have to live there most of the time, of course,' said Billy.

'I wonder what de Gubnor gwine say 'bout dat,' speculated Jeff.

Billy wondered too.

After supper, when the two sat in the library, according to their habit, the Governor smoking his clay pipe and Billy his cigar, the son dutifully confessed to having been tendered the appointment.

For a long time the Governor sat, smoking, without making any comment. Billy reclined in his favourite rocker, waiting, perhaps still flushed with satisfaction over the tender that had come to him, unsolicited, in his dingy little office, above the heads of the intriguing, time- serving, clamorous multitude.

At last the Governor spoke; and, though his words were seemingly irrelevant, they were to the point. His voice had a note of martyrdom running through its senile quaver.

'My rheumatism has been growing steadily worse these past months, William.'

'I am sorry, father,' said Billy, gently.

'And I am nearly seventy-eight. I am getting to be an old man. I can recall the names of but two or three who were in public life during My Administration. What did you say is the nature of this position that is offered you, William?'

'A Federal Judgeship, father. I believe it is considered to be a somewhat flattering tender. It is outside of politics and wire- pulling, you know.'

'No doubt, no doubt. Few of the Pembertons have engaged in professional life for nearly a century. None of them have ever held Federal positions. They have been land-holders, slave-owners, and planters on a large scale. One of two of the Derwents--your mother's family--were in the law. Have you decided to accept this appointment, William?'

'I am thinking it over,' said Billy, slowly, regarding the ash of his cigar.

'You have been a good son to me,' continued the Governor, stirring his pipe with the handle of a penholder.

'I've been your son all my life,' said Billy, darkly.

'I am often gratified,' piped the Governor, betraying a touch of complacency, 'by being congratulated upon having a son with such sound and sterling qualities. Especially in this, our native town, is your name linked with mine in the talk of our citizens.'

'I never knew anyone to forget the vindculum,' murmured Billy, unintelligibly.

'Whatever prestige,' pursued the parent, 'I may be possessed of, by virtue of my name and services to the state, has been yours to draw upon freely. I have not hesitated to exert it in your behalf whenever opportunity offered. And you have deserved it, William. You've been the best of sons. And now this appointment comes to take you away from me. I have but a few years left to live. I am almost dependent upon others now, even in walking and dressing. What would I do without you, my son?'

The Governor's pipe dropped to the floor. A tear trickled from his eye. His voice had risen, and crumbled to