“Afterward he became an assistant teacher, and while pursuing his classical studies, preparatory to his college course, he taught the English branches.  He was a most entertaining teacher—­ready with illustrations, and possessing in a marked degree the power of exciting the interest of the scholars, and afterward making clear to them the lessons.  In the arithmetic class there were ninety pupils, and I can not remember a time when there was any flagging in the interest.  There were never any cases of unruly conduct, or a disposition to shirk.  With scholars who were slow of comprehension, or to whom recitations were a burden, on account of their modest or retiring dispositions, he was specially attentive, and by encouraging words and gentle assistance would manage to put all at their ease, and awaken in them a confidence in themselves.  He was not much given to amusements or the sports of the playground.  He was too industrious, and too anxious to make the utmost of his opportunities to study.

“He was a constant attendant at the regular meetings for prayer, and his vigorous exhortations and apt remarks upon the Bible lessons were impressive and interesting.  There was a cordiality in his disposition which won quickly the favor and esteem of others.  He had a happy habit of shaking hands, and would give a hearty grip which betokened a kind-hearted feeling for all.  He was always ready to turn his mind and hands in any direction whereby he might add to his meagre store of money.

“One of his gifts was that of mezzotint drawing, and he gave instruction in this branch.  I was one of his pupils in this, and have now the picture of a cross upon which he did some shading and put on the finishing touches.  Upon the margin is written, in the name of the noted teacher, his own name and his pupil’s.  There are also two other drawings, one of a large European bird on the bough of a tree, and the other a church yard scene in winter, done by him at that time.  In those days the faculty and pupils were wont to call him ‘the second Webster,’ and the remark was common, ‘He will fill the White House yet.’  In the Lyceum he early took rank far above the others as a speaker and debater.

“During the month of June the entire school went in carriages to their annual grove meeting at Randolph, some twenty-five miles away.  On this trip he was the life of the party, occasionally bursting out in an eloquent strain at the sight of a bird or a trailing vine, or a venerable giant of the forest.  He would repeat poetry by the hour, having a very retentive memory.

“At the Institute the members were like a band of brothers and sisters, all struggling to advance in knowledge.  Then all dressed plainly, and there was no attempt or pretence at dressing fashionably or stylishly.  Hiram was a little country place, with no fascinations or worldly attractions to draw off the minds of the students from their work.”

Such is an inside view—­more graphic than any description I can give—­of the life of James Garfield at Hiram Institute.