“Not more expensive than Geauga Seminary. It is designed to give a chance to the poorest boy or girl to get an academical education. Besides, it is conducted under the auspices of the Disciples, and the teachers belong to that sect.”

“I belong to the Disciples’ Church,” said James.

“So do I. That would not take me there, however, if it was not a good school. I think it is one of the best schools to be found.”

“The teachers are well qualified, are they?”

“They are the very best of teachers; no better in any school.”

“I am glad that you have called my attention to the school,” added James. “I think I shall go there next year.”

Here was the second casual meeting with a person, in a single term, that had much to do with the future career of James. His mother would have called it Providential. Meeting with one of them led to his decision to go to college; meeting with the other carried him to the Hiram Eclectic Institute.

James closed his connection with the Geauga Seminary at the expiration of the fall term, leaving it with a reputation for scholarship and character of which the institution was justly proud. As we have said, he taught school during the following winter. It was at Warrensville, where he had taught before. He received eighteen dollars a month, and board, with the esteem and gratitude of his patrons.

We should not pass over the oration that James delivered at the annual exhibition of Geauga Seminary, in November, 1850. It was his last task performed at the institution, and the first oration of his literary life. The part assigned to him was honorary; and he spent all the time he could spare, amid other pressing duties, upon the production. He was to quit the institution, and he would not conceal his desire to close his course of study there with his best effort. He kept a diary at the time, and his diary discloses the anxiety with which he undertook the preparation of that oration, and the thorough application with which he accomplished his purpose. Neither ambition nor vanity can be discovered, in the least degree, in his diary; that was written for no eyes but his own. His performance proved the attraction of the hour. It carried the audience like a surprise, although they expected a noble effort from the ablest student in the academy. It exceeded their expectations, and was a fitting close of his honourable connection with the school.

Returning home, he found his mother making preparations to visit relatives in Muskingum County, eighteen miles from Zanesville.

“You must go, James; I have made all my arrangements for you to go with me,” said his mother.

“How long will you be gone?”

“All the spring, and into the summer, perhaps.”

“I had concluded to go to the Eclectic Institute, at Hiram, when the spring term opens.”

“You have? Why do you go there?”

“To prepare for college.”

“Do you expect you can work your way through college?”

“I expect I can, or I should not undertake it.” And James then rehearsed the circumstances under which he decided to go to college, if possible, and to take a preparatory course at Hiram.