“That will be ten years from now,” said the first speaker.

“Not so long as that,” rejoined Henry. “Five or six years is long enough.”

“He won’t wear trousers of Kentucky jean then,” added the second speaker, in a jocose manner.

“He won’t care whether he does or not,” remarked Henry. “He would wear Kentucky jean just as quick as broadcloth; such things are wholly unimportant in his estimation.”

So the matter of his becoming a preacher was discussed, all appearing to think that he was destined to become a pulpit orator. Doubtless some thought it was the only profession he would be qualified to fill.

During the summer vacation of his last year at Geauga Seminary, in connection with a schoolmate, he sought work among the farmers in the vicinity. He found no difficulty in securing jobs to suit his most sanguine expectations. An amusing incident occurred with one of the farmers to whom he applied for work.

“What do you know about work?” inquired the farmer, surveying them from head to foot, and seeming to question their fitness for his farm.

“We have worked at farming,” answered James, modestly.

“Can you mow?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Can you mow well?” emphasizing the last word.

“You can tell by trying us,” answered James, not wishing to praise his own ability at labour.

“What wages do you want?”

“Just what you think is right.”

“Well, that is fair; where did you come from?”

James enlightened him on this subject, and informed him, also, that they were trying to get an education.

“You are plucky boys,” the farmer added; “I think you may go to work.”

He conducted them to the hay-field, where they were provided with scythes, remarking to the three men already mowing, “Here are two boys who will help you.”

James exchanged glances with his companion, and the initiated might have discovered in their mutual smiles an inkling of what was coming. Their glances at each other said, as plainly as words, “Let us beat these fellows, though we are boys.” James thought that the farmer emphasized the word boys more than was justifiable.

The boys had mowed an hour, the farmer being an interested witness, when the latter cried out to the three men:

“See here, you lubbers; those boys are beatin’ you all holler. Their swaths are wider, and they mow better than you do. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.”

The men made no reply, but bent their energies to work more resolutely. The boys, too, were silent, although they enjoyed the praise of their employer very much. They comprehended the situation fully,