From Canal Boy to President

d was so convinced of the pleasures and advantages it would brin

e sea, James?" his mother

lack salter's. Oh, mother, did you ever read

ailor,' but you know that

. It must be splendid to travel across the

ce to see much. You have no ide

id of hard work. But you seem disappointed

arned man, perhaps a college professor. Surely t

mon sailor, mother. I woul

d the sea, he would have risen to the command of a

ittle time with his family. Think carefully, my son. I believe your present fanc

mother might have reason on her side, but it takes mo

id, "but there doesn't seem much chance of it. I se

e seems no way open at present for you to become a scholar; but if you enter

me to do, mother! Do you

and seek some respectable employment. If, after a time, you find your longing

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

He stopped to rest at intervals, and it was not until the sun had se

d soon retired to bed. His fatigue brought him a good night's sleep, and he

he 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 interest

tore and inquired i

keeper, looking at the boy with hi

te, and cipher,"

smiling. "All our boys can do

would be but little service to him here. Indeed, he was rather puzzled to know what he could do that would earn him a living in a smart town

e brusque reply. "You come

s,

ell, I will give you

is tha

an the city. I daresay you would make a very good h

strong enough, and he thought he knew enough, for he had not at present much idea of what was ta

. I've tried to get a place here, and there doesn't seem to be a

-port, but it had considerable la

ops and schooners which were engaged in inland trade. He had never seen a re

buffeted. Half a dozen sailors were on board, but they were grimed and dirty, and looked like habitual drinkers-probably James would not have fancie

n board?" the boy

growled the sailo

e soon

ered in the

until the man he i

boy was amazed at his bearing. Surely that man was not his ideal of a ship-captain. He thought of hi

eferred his

a new hand?

for he had never uttered an oath in his life, and had never listened to

Cana

ation with such a man. He left the schooner's deck with a feeling of discomfi

his rustic appearance. The captain might be prejudiced against him, just as the shop-keepers had been, though the latter certainly

arrived at the exalted position of captain of a schooner, but was content with t

to James a l

haps he can find me a situation on a canal-boat, and

e straightway inquired for the Evening Star, which