Mrs. Garfield explained the last question as best she could, assuring him that the alcohol was not put in, but was developed in the drink by an artificial process, and that men wanted to produce the alcohol in order to make money.

In this way the great reformatory idea of that day found a lodgment in the Garfield cabin. James did not obtain a very definite idea of the enormous evil of intemperance, living where he had no opportunity to observe it; but his idea was distinct enough to cause him to abhor the cause of the woe. His mother gave him facts enough respecting the curse of intemperance, that had come under her own observation, to show him that intemperance was a terrible evil, and his young heart was fully resolved to avoid the way to it.

Another lesson that made Sunday in the woods a memorable day to James, although it was prominent on other days also, was loyalty to the country. Mrs. Garfield’s memory was full of facts respecting the sacrifices and sufferings of her ancestors to defend and preserve American Independence; and many an hour, as we have already intimated, was whiled away in recitals of their heroic deeds.

There is no doubt that James formed an exalted idea of what we call Loyalty from these stories that were so inspiring and marvellous to the young. It is often the case that indirect methods fasten upon the young mind so tenaciously that they outlast many lessons that have been imparted with the utmost care and hopefulness. It is certain that James derived an impulse from some source, in regard to loyalty, that contributed to make this virtue one of the most prominent elements of his character in manhood. Although his mother did not formally imitate the example of the father Hannibal, who led his son to the altar of his divinity at eight years of age, and made him swear eternal hate to the enemies of Rome, yet she did what was tantamount to that, and what secured as effectually the devotion of her son to the defence of his country.

“Never be afraid to do what is right,” Mrs. Garfield remarked. “The biggest coward in the world is the man who is afraid to do right.”

“I shouldn’t think men would be afraid to do right,” remarked James.

“I shouldn’t think boys would be afraid to do right,” responded his mother, perceiving that James scarcely thought there was an opportunity for this sort of bravery in boyhood. “Boys don’t dare to do right sometimes.”

“When?” inquired James, as if he questioned the truth of the latter statement.

“When they don’t dare to obey their mothers or teachers because their companions don’t want they should,” answered his mother, intending to remind him of certain facts in his own boyish life.

“I thought you meant when I got to be a man,” said James, with a look denoting that he was hit.

“I meant when a boy, as well. If you don’t begin to stand up for the right when you are young, you never will when you are old. ‘The boy is father of the man,’ is a proverb as true as it is old. Then a cowardly boy is as contemptible as a cowardly man. Obey your mother and teacher, though all your companions laugh at you.”

“I do,” answered James.

“Yes, I think you do, generally: and I speak of it now, that you may give even more attention to it in the future than in the past, and grow more and more fearless to oppose wrong as you grow older. When you become a man you will meet with many more, and greater temptations, than you have now, and unless you have more decision and courage, you will not be equal to the circumstances.”

“Daniel’s bravery got him into the den of lions,” suggested James.