Often in

to accomplish so large an amount of labor. the preparation of a lecture or speech, his wife and Miss Booth would explore the library for him, or examine certain books which he designated. The num ber of books that he perused in a year was almost incredible. Going from the library with his arms full of volumes was a common spectacle. Mr. Darsie has seen him on his way to the library, in the rain, returning ten or twelve volumes, a student walking by his side, holding an umbrella over his head. Some books awakened his enthusiasm; he read them more than Such books as "Tom Brown's School Days" won his admiration. He told his pupils that every one of them ought to read the work carefully. Macaulay's writings, and Mill's, and works of kindred ability and value, he particularly enjoyed and recommended.

once.

In those days, Commencement exercises brought together from five to ten thousand people. They came from fifty miles around. A large tent was pitched over a stage, on which the literary exercises were performed. Booths for refreshments were erected here and there, and often showmen would appear upon the ground. Roughs and intoxicated persons some times appeared in large numbers, causing disturbance, and sadly marring the harmony of the occasion. But after Garfield became principal these scenes stopped. The pointing of his finger, or the waving of his hand, when disturbance broke out in any quarter, quelled it at once. Roughs appeared to understand that his authority could not be trifled with on such occasions.

We shall close this chapter by another quotation from Rev. Mr. Darsie:

"No matter how old the pupils were, Garfield al ways called us by our first names, and kept himself on the most familiar terms with all. He played with us freely, scuffled with us sometimes, walked with us. in walking to and fro, and we treated him out of the class just about as we did one another. Yet he was a most strict disciplinarian, and enforced the rules like a martinet. He combined an affectionate and confiding manner with respect for order, in a most successful way. If he wanted to speak to a pupil, either for reproof or approbation, he would generally manage to get one arm around him, and draw him close up to him. He had a peculiar way of shaking hands, too, giving a twist to your arm, and drawing you right up to him. This sympathetic manner has helped him to advancement. was janitor he used sometimes to stop me and ask my opinion about this and that, as if seriously advising with me. I can see now that my opinion could not have been of any value, and that he probably asked me, partly to increase my self-respect and partly to show me that he felt an interest in me. I certainly was his friend all the firmer for it.

When I

"I remember once asking him what was the best way to pursue a certain study, and he said, 'Use several text-books; get the views of different authors as you advance; in that way you can plough a broader furrow. I always study in that way.' He tried hard to have us observe carefully and accurately. He broke out one day in the midst of a lesson with, 'Henry, how many posts are there under the building downstairs?' Henry expressed his opinion, and the ques

tion went round the class, hardly one getting it right. Then it was, 'How many boot-scrapers are there at the door?' 'How many windows in the building'' 'How many trees in the field?' 'What were the

colors of particular rooms, and the peculiarities of any familiar objects?' He was the keenest observer I ever saw. I think he observed, and numbered, every button on our coats. A friend of mine was walking with him through Cleveland, one day, when Garfield stopped and darted down a cellar-way, asking his companion to follow, and briefly stopping to explain himself. The sign, 'Saws and Files' was over the door, and in the depths was heard a regular clicking sound. 'I think this fellow is cutting files,' said he, 'and I have never seen a file cut.' Down they went, and, sure enough, there was a man recutting an old file, and they stayed there ten minutes and found out all about the process. Garfield would never go by any. thing without understanding it."

CHAPTER XXIII.

FROM PEACE TO WAR.

T is impossible for a public speaker of Garfield's power to keep out of politics. In political campaigns the public demand his efforts; men will not take no for an answer. It was so with Garfield. He was impressed into the service by leading citizens of his county. In the autumn after his return to Hiram, before he hardly had time to become settled in his great work, his efforts on the platform were sought; and the new Republican party, on the anti-slavery basis, with its first candidate, John C. Fremont, a man of Garfield's stamp in vigor, courage, and force of character, was exceedingly taking to him. Nobody had to tease him long for a speech. Often he went in the evening to make a speech, five, six, ten miles distant, returning after the address. Usually he took a student with him for company and improvement. As soon as they started he would open conversation, seldom upon the subject of his discourse, but upon some topic of real value to the student. Going and returning, his conversation was continued without the least abatement. Alphonso Hart, a stalwart Democrat of Ravenna,

delivered a speech in Hiram, full of slavery and Democratic sophistries and errors.

with many Republican citizens.

Garfield heard it,

Reply to it, Mr. Garfield," appealed an influential citizen to him. "Floor him."

"That can easily be done," Garfield answered; "but is it wise?"

"It is always wise to refute error and wrong anywhere."

"I confess that I should enjoy handling him without gloves for an hour."

"Handle him, then," urged the citizen. "It will do the Republican party a world of good."

Other citizens put in their pleas for him to answer Hart.

"You are just the one to do it."

"Everybody wants you should answer him." "It will make votes for Fremont."

Come, now, do gratify the public desire."

In this way, Garfield was beset with pleas to answer the Democratic orator; and he consented. The meeting was in the Disciples church, and it was packed to its utmost capacity. Garfield's reply was devoid of all bitterness, but was powerful with logic and facts. He hauled over the record of the Democratic party, with its endorsement of slavery with all its horrors, and he made that record appear black enough. The effort was both able and triumphant, and the fame of it rapidly spread throughout the county. Appeals for more speeches came in from all the region about, and finally a discussion was arranged between Garfield and Hart, to take place at