While matters were progressing thus favourably, James heard that Dr. J. P. Robinson, of Bedford, was coming into the neighbourhood on a professional visit, and, without consulting any one, he resolved to consult him concerning the practicability of his decision to acquire an education. It was not because he was wavering at all, but it was more of a curiosity on his part. So he called upon the doctor after his arrival at the neighbour’s, and the interview, as narrated by Dr. Robinson to a writer, recently, was as follows:—

“He was rather shabbily clad, in coarse satinet trousers, far outgrown, and reaching only half-way down the tops of his cowhide boots; a waistcoat much too short, and a threadbare coat, whose sleeves went only a little below the elbows. Surmounting the whole was a coarse slouched hat, much the worse for wear; and as the lad removed it, in making his obeisance to the physician, he displayed a heavy shock of unkempt yellow hair that fell half-way down his shoulders.

“ ‘He was wonderfully awkward,’ says the good doctor, ‘but had a sort of independent, go-as-you-please manner, that impressed me favourably.’

“ ‘Who are you?’ was his somewhat gruff salutation.

“ ‘My name is James Garfield, from Orange,’ replied the latter.

“ ‘Oh, I know your mother, and knew you when you were a babe in arms; but you have outgrown my knowledge. I am glad to see you.’

“ ‘I want to see you alone,’ said young Garfield.

“The doctor led the way to a secluded spot in the neighbourhood of the house, and there, sitting down on a log, the youth, after a little hesitation, opened his business.

“ ‘You are a physician,’ he said, ‘and know the fibre that is in men. Examine me, and tell me with the utmost frankness whether I had better take a course of liberal study. I am contemplating doing so; my desire is in that direction. But if I am to make a failure of it, or practically so, I do not desire to begin. If you advise me not to do so, I shall feel content.’

“In speaking of this incident, the doctor has remarked recently: ‘I felt that I was on my sacred honour, and the young man looked as though he felt himself on trial. I had had considerable experience as a physician, but here was a case much different from any other I had ever had. I felt that it must be handled with great care. I examined his head, and saw that there was a magnificent brain there. I sounded his lungs, and found that they were strong, and capable of making good blood. I felt his pulse, and saw that there was an engine capable of sending the blood up to the head to feed the brain. I had seen many strong physical systems with warm feet, but cold, sluggish brain; and those who possessed such systems would simply sit around and doze. Therefore I was anxious to know about the kind of an engine to run that delicate machine, the brain. At the end of a fifteen minutes’ careful examination of this kind, we rose, and I said, “Go on, follow the leadings of your ambition, and ever after I am your friend. You have the brain of a Webster, and you have the physical proportions that will back you in the most herculean efforts. All you need to do is to work. Work hard, do not be afraid of overworking, and you will make your mark.” ’ ”

“I wish you had a better suit of clothes, James,” remarked his mother, “but we shall have to make these do, I guess.” It was the same suit he had on when he called upon Dr. Robinson. Indeed, he possessed no other suit. The trousers were nearly out at the knees, but under the skilful hand of his mother they were made almost as good as new.

“Good enough, any way,” said James, in reply to his mother’s wish. It was fortunate that he was not the victim of a false pride: if he had been, he would not have consented to attend a “seminary” in that plight.