much more for their interest to tell the truth. Hence, his eccentric adherence to the facts made him unpopular with them. He was clearly out of his place. He felt it, and told the kind captain that he should not stay long. He had agreed to stay three months at ten dollars per month, and, as long as he could, he faithfully kept his contract. But the long, monotonous tramps beside the horses, or the dull stops to await the passage of crowded locks gave him considerable time to think. He knew that his mother had always desired to have him in some way obtain a liberal education. He felt keenly the fact that he was engaged in a calling which had not her approval. The cursing, fighting and low conversation among the men were distasteful to him. Once he was com

pelled to defend himself from an attack of an overbearing bully, and, it is said that James grappled with his opponent like a lion, and with dangerous precipitation sent the fellow rolling into the bottom of a flat boat. Men and boys were respected there according to their strength of muscle and powers of endurance. These he possessed in an eminent degree, and was seldom involved in any dispute.

Near the end of his term of three months, he was offered a position as steersman with an advance of wages. He had often been called upon to relieve the steersman, and his judgment was so mature, and his skill so apparent, that the captain's wife advised him to make it his profession for life. She urged the captain to secure the place for him, because she "felt much safer when Jim was at the helm."

But James could not be persuaded to make a new contract, nor did the large-hearted captain urge the matter. He said:

He

"Jim is too good a boy to stick to the canal. loves his books too well to be confined to this hard life."

It was during this period that he met Dr. J. P. Robinson, a physician and preacher, who has been ever since that time a devoted friend. The doctor was an able and talkative man, whose good impulses were ever finding vent in some unexpected deed of kindness, and he had a great liking for James from the time of their first meeting. He advised him to find some place where he could work for his board and go to school, and told him of the great things he might do, and the great name he might gain by persevering in the attempt to obtain learning. The advice was not lost upon James, and he secretly resolved to find a place, if possible, where he could follow the doctor's advice.

Near the close of his three months' engagement, he began to be greatly afflicted with the fever and ague, which was a sad enemy of all the canal boatmen. The disease increased in virulence with alarming rapidity. His duties in caring for the careful passage of the boat, when meeting another, often required him to wade in the water, and sometimes he ventured in waist-deep. Such frequent baths, with the subsequent chill of the wet clothing which he wore until it was dry, greatly aggravated the disease.

One day after he became so weak that he could scarcely perform his work, while he was engaged in fastening a rope at the stern of the boat, he reached over the side to lift the rope from the water. He did not realize how weak he had become. He could

not lift the rope. He tugged at it for a few moments, and then, while attempting to get a firmer hold, lost, his balance and fell headlong into the water.

He had never learned to swim and he was in great danger of drowning. Fortunately, the rope which was the cause of the accident lay in the water within reach, and he had the presence of mind to clutch it, while the hands on the boat pulled him out. The shock and the chill of the cold water were more than his weak frame could endure. All the symptoms of a dangerous fever followed, and he determined to hasten home. In his journey he was assisted as far as Newberg by friends, but from that place, while burning with fever and dizzy with the ague, he walked determinedly home to his mother's cottage.

CHAPTER VI.

EFFORTS TO OBTAIN AN EDUCATION.

BLOW RECOVERY. -MEETING WITH MR. BATES.

A PRIVATE TUTOR.

THE GEAUGA SEMINARY.ESTI

-DETERMINED BEGINNING.
MATES THE COST OF A TERM AT SCHOOL. EARNS A SMALL SUM TO
START WITH. HIS MOTHER'S HELP.- BOARDING HIMSELF AT
CHESTER. PUDDING AND MOLASSES. THE ADVANTAGES OF A
HEALTHY BODY. TEACHING SCHOOL. - VACATION WORK. — IN-
TEREST IN RELIGION. THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. — - RELIGIOUS
PERSECUTION. — TRUSTWORTHY WORK. — A GOOD NAME.

FOR weeks after his return to his home, he was confined to his bed by the fever. He was very sick. The disease was dangerous. The mercurial medicines prescribed appear to have been more dangerous. Yet after a few weeks he began slowly to recover, notwithstanding the depressing effects of exhaustion, ague and calomel. His mother's faithful nursing overcame both the disease and the prescription.

Again he was given an opportunity to think. He could not work, play or read. He was compelled by his inherited disposition to study, plan and dream of the future. He would never be a sailor. That was decided. He would never be a steersman on a canal. That, too, was settled. He could not content himself with the life of an indifferent carpenter, or even with that of a successful wood-chopper. What would he do after he had regained his strength?

This question was of untold importance to him and to others. Far greater than he then dreamed. The advice of Doctor Robinson, of the captain of the canal boat, and the prayers of his mother were not lost upon him.

His Uncle Amos, who frequently came to his bedside, added his precepts to the already strong evidence of the value of scholarship. Lying day after day, unable to move in his bed from one position owing to the ague cake which stubbornly refused to be reduced, he revolved in his mind various schemes for securing an education. He had nearly decided to try again the district school and swallow his pride, provided a teacher was engaged who could help him along, and had determined to seek the advice of some suitable person about the books he might need, when a most fortunate circumstance happened to give direction to his plans.

Samuel D. Bates, who has since been extensively known and revered as a Baptist preacher, was employed to teach school in Orange, and his attention was called to the studious and upright life which James was reputed to have led. He was especially impressed with the fact that it was said by all, that, through the poverty, wants and temptations of his life, James had not swerved from the honest. truth. Neither wealth, nor fame, nor culture could have given the boy such a claim on the good man's heart. Mr. Bates sought the acquaintance of the Garfield family and was soon on intimate terms with James. His advice to him was clear and decided.