From Canal Boy to President

close of the first trip he was promoted to the more responsible off

top the boat as it entered the lock, by throwing the bowline that was attached to the bow of the boat around the snubbing post." It was to this position that James was promoted, though I have some doubt whether the place of d

Kirke, in his admirable life of Garfield, has condensed the captain's account of t

en lurch of the boat, it whirled over the boy's head, and flew in the direction of the boatman. 'Look out, Murphy!' cried the boy; but the rope had anticipated him, and knocked Murphy's hat off into the river. The boy expressed his regret, but it was of no avail. In a towering rage the man rushed upon him,

s looking on appreciatingly. 'If he haint no more sense'n to

ame better friends than ever before. This victory of a boy of sixteen over a man of thirty-five obliterated the notion of young Garfield's character for co

on him was characteristic of his nature. He never could cherish malice, and it was

e inferred from an incident told by the Boston Journal of his life when h

lonel Morton, commanding the commissary steamers there, and remarked, 'I suppose you require a receipt for these supplies?' 'Yes,' said the Colonel, as he handed over the usual blank; 'just take this provision return, and have it signed by your commanding officer.' 'Can't I sign

m danger as it is supposed to be, it may be stated that in this short time he fell into the water fourteen times

ough a lock it was approaching. Finally it knotted, and caught in a narrow cleft on the edge of the deck. He gave it a strong pull, then another, till it gave way, sending him over the bow into the water. Down he went in the dark river, and, rising, was bewildered amid the intense darkness. It seemed as if the boy's brief career was at its close. But

as a thoughtful boy, and it impressed him. The chance

d my life against large odds, and He must have saved

yet in the light of after events shall we not say that James

in. The work of a driver or a bowman on a canal is doubtless useful in its way, b

there was a series of protracted meetings conducted by the Disciples, as they were called, he made a trip there, and beca

may have been at a later period, to chop wood, and take care of his garden, and do chores about the house, and years afterward, as we shall see, it was he that enabled J

lay for some months sick at home. It was probably the only long sickness he had till the fatal wound which laid him on his bed when in the fullness of his fame he ha

d not yet given up all thoughts of the sea, he had not forgotten the charms with which a sailor's life is invested in Marryatt's fascinating novels. H

have me do, mo

I have thought it over. It seems to me you had better go to school this spring, and then, with a term in the fall, you may be ab

s in the way indicated. She felt, however, that her son, who was a boy like oth

r proposed a p

as and I will be able to raise seventeen dollars for you to start to school on, a