William Black. 33 



" Nothing in his life became him like the leaving it." 



Garfield's life was not in vain. It tells its own 

 story — this poor boy toiling upward to the proudest 

 position on earth, the elected of fifty millions of free- 

 men ; a position compared with which that of king or 

 kaiser is as nothing. Let other nations ask themselves 

 where are oiir Lincolns and Garfields ? Ah, they grow 

 not except where all men are born equal ! The cold 

 shade of aristocracy nips them in the bud. 



Mr. Black came to see us off, but arrived at our 

 starting-place a few minutes too late. A thousand 

 pities ! Had we only known that he intended to do us 

 this honor, until high noon, ay, and till dewy eve, 

 would we have waited. Just think of our start being 

 graced by the author of " The Adventures of a Phae- 

 ton," and we privileged to give him three rousing 

 cheers as our horn sounded ! Though grieved to miss 

 him, it was a consolation to know that he had come, 

 and we felt that his spirit was with us and dwelt with 

 us during the entire journey. Many a time the in- 

 cidents of his charming story came back to us, but I 

 am sorry to record, as a faithful chronicler, that we 

 young people missed one of its most absorbing feat- 

 ures — we had no lovers. At least, I am not apprized 

 that any engagements were made upon the journey, 

 although, for my part, I couldn't help falling in love 

 just a tiny bit with the charming young ladies who de- 

 lighted us with their company. 



