CHAPTER XV.

THREE BUSY YEARS.

Among the readers of this volume there may be boys who are preparing for college.  They will be interested to learn the extent of James Garfield’s scholarship, when he left the Geauga Academy, and transferred himself to the Institute at Hiram.  Though, in his own language, he remembers with great satisfaction the work which was accomplished for him at Chester, that satisfaction does not spring from the amount that he had acquired, but rather that while there he had formed a definite purpose and plan to complete a college course.  For, as the young scholar truly remarks, “It is a great point gained when a young man makes up his mind to devote several years to the accomplishment of a definite work.”

When James entered at Hiram, he had studied Latin only six weeks, and just begun Greek.  He was therefore merely on the threshold of his preparatory course for college.  To anticipate a little, he completed this course, and fitted himself to enter the Junior class at Williams College in the space of three years.  How much labor this required many of my readers are qualified to understand.  It required him to do nearly six years’ work in three, though interrupted by work of various kinds necessary for his support.

He was not yet able to live luxuriously, or even, as we suppose, comfortably.  He occupied a room with four other students, which could hardly have been favorable for study.  Yet, in the first term he completed six books of Caesar’s commentaries, and made good progress in Greek.  During the first winter he taught a school at Warrensville, receiving the highest salary he had yet been paid, eighteen dollars a month—­of course in addition to board.

At the commencement of the second year the president sent for him.

James obeyed the summons, wondering whether he was to receive any reprimand for duty unfulfilled.

President Hayden received him cordially, thus dissipating his apprehensions.

“Garfield,” he said, “Mr. ——­, tutor in English and ancient languages, is sick, and it is doubtful whether he will be able to resume his duties.  Do you think you can fill his place, besides carrying on your own work as student?”

Young Garfield’s face flushed with pleasure.  The compliment was unexpected, but in every way the prospect it opened was an agreeable one.  His only doubt was as to his qualifications.

“I should like it very much,” he said, “if you think I am qualified.”

“I have no doubt on that point.  You will teach only what is familiar to you, and I believe you have a special faculty for imparting knowledge.”

“Thank you very much, Mr. Hayden,” said Garfield.  “I will accept with gratitude, and I will do my best to give satisfaction.”

How well he discharged his office may be inferred from the testimony given in the last chapter.