disappeared. The pupils bent their energies to study, as if for the first time they understood what going to school meant. James interested the larger scholars in spelling-matches, in which all found much enjoyment as well as profit. He joined in the games and sports of the boys at noon, his presence proving a restraint upon the disposition of some to be vulgar and profane. He was perfectly familiar with his scholars, and yet he was so correct and dignified in his ways that the wildest boy could but respect him.

James “boarded around,” as was the universal custom; and this brought him into every family in the course of the winter. Here he enjoyed an additional opportunity to influence his pupils. He took special pains to aid them in their studies, and to make the evenings entertaining to the members of the families. He read aloud to them, rehearsed history, told stories, availing himself of his quite extensive reading to furnish material. In this way he gained a firm hold both of the parents and their children.

His Sabbaths were spent at home with his mother during the winter. The Disciples’ meeting had become a fixed institution, so that he attended Divine worship every Sabbath. A preacher was officiating at the time in whom James became particularly interested. He was a very earnest preacher, a devout Christian, and a man of strong native abilities. He possessed a tact for “putting things,” as men call it, and made his points sharply and forcibly. He was just suited to interest a youth like James, and his preaching made a deep impression upon him. From week to week that impression deepened, until he resolved to become a Christian at once; and he did. Before the close of his school he gave good evidence that he had become a true child of God. And now his mother’s cup of joy was overflowing. She saw distinctly the way in which God had led him, and her gratitude was unbounded. James saw, too, how it was that his mother’s prophecy was fulfilled: “Providence has something better in store for you.”

The verdict of parents and pupils at the close of the term was: “The best teacher we ever had.” So James parted with his scholars, sharing their confidence and esteem; and his Uncle Amos was satisfied, because he left the school as Mr. Garfield.

He returned to Geauga Seminary, not to board himself, but to board with Mr. Woodworth, the carpenter, according to previous arrangement. Mr. Woodworth boarded him for one dollar six cents per week, including his washing, and took his pay in labour. It was an excellent opportunity for James, as well as for the carpenter. His chief labour in the shop was planing boards. On the first Saturday after his return he planed fifty-one boards, at two cents apiece; thus earning on that day one dollar and two cents,—nearly enough to pay a week’s board.

We shall pass over the details of his schooling that year, to his schoolkeeping at Warrensville the following winter, where he was paid sixteen dollars a month and board. It was a larger and more advanced school than the one of the previous winter, in a pleasanter neighbourhood, and a more convenient school-house. We shall stop to relate but two incidents connected with his winter’s work, except to say that his success was complete.

One of the more advanced scholars wanted to study geometry, and James had given no attention to it. He did not wish to let the scholar know that he had never studied it, for he knew full well that he could keep in advance of his pupil, and teach him as he desired. So he purchased a text-book, studied geometry at night, sometimes extending his studies far into the night, and carried his pupil through, without the latter dreaming that his teacher was not an expert in the science. James considered this a clear gain; for he would not have mastered geometry that winter but for this necessity laid upon him. It left him more time in school for other studies.

This fact is a good illustration of what James said after he had entered on public life, viz.: “A young man should be equal to more than the task before him; he should possess reserved power.” He had not pursued geometry, but he was equal to it in the emergency. His reserved force carried him triumphantly over a hard place.

One day he fell when engaged in outdoor sports with his big boys, the result of which was a large rent in his pantaloons. They were well worn, and so thin that it did not require much of a pressure to push