From Canal Boy to President

garded his young c

brings you to Cle

tried first to get a place in a store, as I promised mot

a good place on land is much better than g

of a schooner, but he swore at

is cousin smiling "Well,

u give me

on the

cou

hat would be the next

prepare

turedly, "I will see what I can do fo

, y

e pay is not very large, bu

es, who was naturally interested

ding to length of service and fidelity. Of cours

tisfied with e

we call a trick-the six hours on, I mean. So you will have every other six hours

d; for the animals attached to t

er, it makes no difference. You will have to feed and rub them down,

y hard work," said

r walk, as you choose. You can rest your

ed creature. His usual gait is from two to two and a half miles an hour, and to a boy of quick, active temperament the slowness must be rather exasperating. Yet, in the co

t each end by gates. When a boat is going down, the near gates are thrown open and the boat enters the lock, the water rushing in till a level is secured; then the upper gates are closed, fastening the boat in the lock. Next the lower gates are opened, the water in the lock seeks the lower level of the other section of the canal, and the

anation, I advise them to read Jacob Abbot's excellent book, "Roll

that way, when they were in not much of a hurry, but there were no express canal-boats, and a man who chose to travel in that way must have abundant leisure on his

he mules with the boat, which was drawn slowly and steadily through the water. James felt the responsibility of his situation. It was like going to sea on a small

ace, and an earnest look that attracted general attention. Yet, to one who saw the boy guiding the patient mule along the tow-path, it would have seeme

s not well enough dressed to act as clerk in a Cleveland store, no

not much difficulty or danger connected with it. But even the guidance of a canal-boat

ther going down, and vice versa. Then care has to be exercis

ve been the carelessness of the other driver, but at any rate the lines got entangled. Meanwhile the boat, under the i

ur line will ketch on the brid

which occurred just ahead, and it wa

he and his team were jerked into the canal. Of course he was thrown off the animal he was riding, and found himself struggling in the water side by side with the astonished mules. The situation was

e of mind, and managed, with help, to g

him, jocosely, "What were y

rning bath," answered th

e captain, struck by

relieved from duty. Both were allowed to come on board the boat and rest

ike it as far as you've

," answere

another bath to-morrow morni

week will be suffici

see how far his education had advanced. Respecting his own ability as an examiner he had little doubt,

een to school more or

" answere

ve you s

many, for his acquirements were not extensive; but he had wor