“But I wouldn’t stay a common sailor, mother.  I would be a captain some time.”

I suppose there is no doubt that, had James followed the sea, he would have risen to the command of a ship, but the idea did not seem to dazzle his mother.

“If you go to sea I shall lose you,” said his mother.  “A sailor can spend very little time with his family.  Think carefully, my son.  I believe your present fancy will be short-lived, and you will some day wonder that you ever entertained it.”

Such, however, was not the boy’s idea at the time.  His mother might have reason on her side, but it takes more than reason to dissipate a boy’s passion for the sea.

“You speak of my becoming a scholar, mother,” he said, “but there doesn’t seem much chance of it.  I see nothing but work as a carpenter, or on the farm.”

“You don’t know what God may have in store for you, my son.  As you say, there seems no way open at present for you to become a scholar; but if you entertain the desire the way will be open.  Success comes to him who is in earnest.”

“What, then, do you want me to do, mother!  Do you wish me to stay at home?”

“No, for there seems little for you to do here.  Go to Cleveland, if you like, and seek some respectable employment.  If, after a time, you find your longing for the sea unconquered, it will be time to look out for a berth on board ship.”

James, in spite of his earnest longing to go to sea, was a reasonable boy, and he did not object to his mother’s plan.  The next morning he tied his slender stock of clothing in a small bundle, bade a tearful good-bye to his mother, whose loving glances followed him far along his road, and with hope and enthusiasm trudged over a hard road to Cleveland, that beautiful city, whither, nearly forty years afterward, he was to be carried in funereal state, amid the tears of countless thousands.  In that city where his active life began, it was to finish.

A long walk was before him, for Cleveland was seventeen miles away.  He stopped to rest at intervals, and it was not until the sun had set and darkness enveloped the town that he entered it with weary feet.

He betook himself to a cheap boarding-place whither he had been directed, and soon retired to bed.  His fatigue brought him a good night’s sleep, and he woke refreshed and cheered to look about him and decide upon his future plans.

Cleveland does not compare in size with New York, Philadelphia, or Boston, and thirty-five years ago it was much smaller than now.  But compared with James’ native place, and the villages near him, it was an impressive place.  There were large business blocks, and handsome churches, and paved streets, and a general city-like appearance which interested James greatly.  On the whole, even if he had to give up going to sea, he thought he might enjoy himself in such a lively place as this.  But of course he must find employment.