The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-11
"NAMESAKES''

NG( 7 HENEVER I think of name wv sakes" when the subject
 comes up--it matters not how or where. always think of the anus ing story George Ade told in one of his earlier 'Fables in Slang concern ing the young couple whom Fate had blessed with beautiful baby girl.
 The newly weds" were just that frustrated and upset over name for the little miss that they nearly lost their minds and tried out every inn aginable name; Lucy, Dorothy, Mary, Jane and dozens of others.
 Finally-they both agreed upon name; it was "Farina"; sounded like Spanish senorita's name or an Italian countess; and all went well until one of the neighbors asked for whom the pretty little blue-eyed baby girl was named.
 And you'll split your sides laughing just as the neighbors did when you hear that the newly weds" had looked in the "cook book,'' found the name of "Farina'' (pudding), liked it and chose it for Little Miss Newly we eds" name forever after.
 All of which leads up to a pretty little incident which I think is quite worthy of mention just here in regard to one of Birmingham's most distin- guished citizens, greatest philanthropy ists, and wealthiest bachelors--Mr Erskine Ramsay.
 Perhaps you may not know it. but Mir. Ramsay has more namesakes than nearly any other one individual in this whole district; there are many splen- did young boys and girls in BirmiTg : ham today who have been named for this charming gentleman-the fond parents of these same boys and girls by naming their children for MT. Ram say, having bestowed upon him the greatest compliment which could be paid by parents to any living creature.
 There is something very sweet and very sacred about the naming of a child; the person for whom boy or girl is named should appreciate the fact (but frequently they donD that no higher compliment could possibly be paid man than having child named in his honor.
 Personally I think the choosing of name for a baby is one of the most important things in life; you may say what you please, but whats in a name?" is certainly a most potent and vital question:; it has an effect upon the destiny of a child that is only too often not reckoned with by parents.
 The most ridiculous names are chosen for children, just as the young couple l referred to in George Ade's Fables in Slang chose the sillest and most meaningless name that could possibly be unearthed for their little pink faced, blue-eyed baby girl, and to my way of thinking, the utmost atten- tion should be paid to names-for they undoubtedly have their effect, little as you may think
 In naming a child 1t seems to me that the person for whom the child is named would figure very largely in the drama; whether that person is one whom you'd care to have your baby emulate; character, poise, position, ability--all--it seems to me would count tremendously.
 The "Dotties," and 'aTotties"-what do they amount to?
 "The "Bills" and "Georges"-what splendid men they always turn out to be.
 And so, in the case of MT. Erskine Ramsay, the character of the man, his position in the hearts of his fellow men in the community in which he lives; his ability-the tremendous suc- cess he has made of every thing that he has ever undertaken-all these have counted in the many sweet compli- ments-which have been paid him by the loving parents who have named their children for him.
 Certainly-no higher ambition could be achieved by any boy than to fol- low in MT. Erskine Ramsay's foot steps; certainly no sweeter happiness could come to any parent than to have a son who had made good" in every walk of like MT. Ramsay.
 Back in the old days when his ten der, gentle hearted, mother crooned the old Scotch lullabies at his little bedside-as she thought of his good