school-house, and took charge of it nimself, when no minister was on the ground. Mr. Boynton was a man of excellent abilities, and a very devoted Christian man. He was more familiar with the Bible than any man in the township, and could repeat large portions of it. A copy of the Scriptures was his constant companion. He carried it with him into the field. If he stopped to rest himself, or his cattle, the brief time was spent in reading the Book of books. His familiarity with the Bible qualified him to conduct Sabbath services in the log school-house; and they were of great moral and spiritual advantage to the people. To James they were of as much real value as to any one.

At that time religious controversy ran high in northern Ohio. The Disciples were a new sect, and all other sects denounced them; while they, in turn, expressed themselves freely concerning the errors and follies of their opponents. James often heard discussions at home upon these controverted religious questions, in which his mother engaged with others. It was not unusual for preachers to refer to them in their sermons; and always, when preachers stayed at his mother's house, as they often did, these questions were discussed, and they made a deep impression upon the active mind of James. So bright a boy as he could scarcely fail to see that vast importance attached to subjects in which the minis ters and his mother were so much interested. These controversies lent more or less importance to Sunday in the woods.

Among the topics discussed was Baptism, the

Disciples being immersionists. The extent to which James' mind was impressed by these discussions is learned from the following fact. cal excitement prevailed in that "Harrison Campaign." The

Considerable politipart of Ohio in the neighbors were all

for Harrison,- Whigs, --and James had heard his mother say that his father was a Whig, and a great admirer of Henry Clay, and voted for him when he was a candidate for President. One day some neighbors were discussing politics in James' presence, when one of them asked him, in a sportive way, "Jimmy, what are you, Democrat or Whig?" "I'm Whig; but I'm not baptized," answered James.

The subject of Baptism was so thoroughly impressed upon his mind, and the subject of Whigism, also, that the little fellow supposed he could not be a properly constructed Whig until he was baptized.

CHAPTER VII.

HIGHER UP.

ALLOO, Jim, now you will have to be a farmer in earnest! for I am going to Mich. igan," said Thomas, when he returned from Cleveland. "Got a place out there."

"Where?" inquired James, not understanding

where it was that his brother was going.

"To Michigan," repeated Thomas.

of a wilderness than Orange is."

"It is more

"I know that," answered James. "What are you going to do out there?"

"Clearing," replied Thomas; "twelve dollars a month."

"You don't get so much as that, do you?" said James, to whom that amount of monthly wages seemed enormous.

"Yes, twelve dollars a month. It's hard work, early and late. Mother shall have a frame-house, now."

"Good!" was James' answer, given with evident satisfaction.

At this time James was twelve years old, and Thomas was twenty-one; a period that had been

much discussed in the family, in anticipation of its arrival. There was a definite understanding, between Thomas and his mother, that the former should leave home at twenty-one, and James should run the farm. It was important that Thomas should be earning some. thing abroad now that he had attained to his majority, and James was old enough to attend to affairs at home. Thomas went to Cleveland for the purpose of obtaining work, without any definite idea of what that work would be. Emigration to Michigan was increas ing, and there was considerable excitement over the resources of that State, so that labor was in consider. able demand for that section. The first opportunity that opened to Thomas he accepted without hesitation, and it was, as already announced, clearing land for a farmer in Michigan, at twelve dollars a month.

Thomas passed into the house with James to make known the result of his errand to Cleveland.

"I hope it will prove all for the best," remarked Mrs. Garfield, after hearing the report. "It's farther away than I expected."

"Yes, it is some distance; but that is of little con sequence, after all. It is good pay."

"How far is it?" asked James, who was intensely interested in the change.

"I don't know exactly," answered his mother: "it's farther than I wish it was."

"Will you live in a log-house, Tom?" James con tinued.

"Yes; a cabin not half so large and good as this." "How long shall you be gone?"

"Six months certain; perhaps longer."

“And you will have to take Tom's place on the farm," said Mrs. Garfield, addressing James. "That will be taking a step higher."

"I can do it," responded James, "though I am sorry Tom is going."

"We shall miss him sadly," remarked Mrs. Garfield. "It will be more lonesome than ever when he is gone; but we must make the best of it."

"It will be best all round, I am thinking," said Thomas, "if it is the way for you to have a framehouse, mother. I mean that shall come about."

"That will be nice, won't it, mother?" exclaimed James, who was thoroughly prepared to appreciate a real house, after twelve years' occupancy of a cabin.

"Yes, it will be nice indeed, almost too nice to prove a reality," replied his mother.

"It will prove a reality," remarked Thomas with decision.

Thomas had spent much time, during the last five years, in cutting and preparing lumber for a new house, hoping the time would come when his mother could command money enough to employ a carpenter to erect it. He had prepared sufficient lumber for the house when he became twenty-one years of age; but there was no money to pay carpenter to put it up. Now Thomas saw the way clear for erecting the house after a while, and the prospect fired his ambition. He was willing to go to Michigan for that object alone; indeed, he rejoiced to go, if by so doing a frame-house could be secured.

Thomas was busy preparing to leave, and James was equally busy in attending to lessons that Thomas