I have conceived, therefore, that a biography, written with a view to interest young people in the facts of his great career, would be a praiseworthy undertaking. The biography of General Garfield, however imperfectly executed, can not but be profitable to the reader. In this story, which I have made as attractive as I am able, I make no claim to originality. I have made free use of such materials as came within my reach, including incidents and reminiscences made public during the last summer, and I trust I have succeeded, in a measure, in conveying a correct idea of a character whose nobility we have only learned to appreciate since death has snatched our leader from us. I take pleasure in acknowledging my obligations to two Lives of Garfield, one by Edmund Kirke, the other by Major J.M. Bundy. Such of my readers as desire a more extended account of the later life of Gen. Garfield, I refer to these well-written and instructive works. HORATIO ALGER, JR. New York, _Oct_. 8, 1881. CONTENTS. I.--THE FIRST PAIR OF SHOES II.--GROWING IN WISDOM AND STATURE III.--IN QUEST OF FORTUNE IV.--ON THE TOW-PATH V.--AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION VI.--JAMES LEAVES THE CANAL VII.--THE CHOICE OF A VOCATION VIII.--GEAUGA SEMINARY IX.--WAYS AND MEANS X.--A COUSIN'S REMINISCENCES XI.--LEDGE HILL SCHOOL XII.--WHO SHALL BE MASTER? XIII.--JAMES LEAVES GEAUGA SEMINARY XIV.--AT HIRAM INSTITUTE XV.--THREE BUSY YEARS XVI.--ENTERING WILLIAMS COLLEGE XVII.--LIFE IN COLLEGE XVIII.--THE CANAL-BOY BECOMES A COLLEGE PRESIDENT XIX.--GARFIELD AS A COLLEGE PRESIDENT XX.--GARFIELD BECOMES A STATE SENATOR XXI.--A DIFFICULT DUTY XXII.--JOHN JORDAN'S DANGEROUS JOURNEY XXIII.--GARFIELD'S BOLD STRATEGY XXIV.--THE BATTLE OF MIDDLE CREEK XXV.--THE PERILOUS TRIP UP THE BIG SANDY XXVI.--THE CANAL-BOY BECOMES A CONGRESSMAN XXVII.--GARFIELD'S COURSE IN CONGRESS XXVIII.--THE MAN FOR THE HOUR XXIX.--GARFIELD AS A LAWYER XXX.--THE SCHOLAR IN POLITICS XXXI.--THE TRIBUTES OF FRIENDS XXXII.--FROM CANAL-BOY TO PRESIDENT XXXIII.--THE NEW ADMINISTRATION XXXIV.--THE TRAGIC END XXXV.--MR. DEPEW'S ESTIMATE OF GARFIELD XXXVI.--THE LESSONS OF HIS LIFE THE BOYHOOD AND MANHOOD OF JAMES A. GARFIELD. CHAPTER I. THE FIRST PAIR OF SHOES. From a small and rudely-built log-cabin a sturdy boy of four years issued, and looked earnestly across the clearing to the pathway that led through the surrounding forest. His bare feet pressed the soft grass, which spread like a carpet before the door. "What are you looking for, Jimmy?" asked his mother from within the humble dwelling. "I'm looking for Thomas," said Jimmy. "It's hardly time for him yet. He won't be through work till after sunset." "Then I wish the sun would set quick," said Jimmy. "That is something we can not hasten, my son. God makes the sun to rise and to set in its due season."