But all this while we are leaving James in suspense before the men whose decision is to affect his life so powerfully.

“Well, young man,” asked the Principal, “what can we do for you?”

“Gentlemen,” said James, earnestly, “I want an education, and would like the privilege of making the fires and sweeping the floors of the building to pay part of my expenses.”

There was in his bearing and countenance an earnestness and an intelligence which impressed the members of the board.

“Gentlemen,” said Mr. Frederic Williams, one of the trustees, “I think we had better try this young man.”

Another member, turning to Garfield, said:  “How do we know, young man, that the work will be done as we may desire?”

“Try me,” was the answer; “try me two weeks, and if it is not done to your entire satisfaction, I will retire without a word.”

“That seems satisfactory,” said the member who had asked the question.

“What studies do you wish to pursue?” asked one gentleman.

“I want to prepare for college.  I shall wish to study Latin, Greek, mathematics, and anything else that may be needed.”

“Have you studied any of these already?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Where?”

“At the Geauga Seminary.  I can refer you to the teachers there.  I have studied under them for three years, and they know all about me.”

“What is your name?”

“James A. Garfield.”

“There is something in that young man,” said one of the trustees to Mr. Williams.  “He seems thoroughly in earnest, and I believe will be a hard worker.”

“I agree with you,” was the reply.

James was informed that his petition was granted, and he at once made arrangements for his residence at Hiram.

CHAPTER XIV.

AT HIRAM INSTITUTE.

Hiram, the seat of the Eclectic Institute, was not a place of any pretension.  It was scarcely a village, but rather a hamlet.  Yet the advantages which the infant institution offered drew together a considerable number of pupils of both sexes, sons and daughters of the Western Reserve farmers, inspired with a genuine love of learning, and too sensible to waste their time on mere amusement.

This is the account given of it by President B.A.  Hinsdale, who for fifteen years has ably presided over its affairs:  “The institute building, a plain but substantially built brick structure, was put on the top of a windy hill, in the middle of a cornfield.  One of the cannon that General Scott’s soldiers dragged to the City of Mexico in 1847, planted on the roof of the new structure, would not have commanded a score of farm houses.