the millions of the nation, to pick out future Presidents, and thought
as it swept along the ranks the eye might give me a glance, and that
perhaps the meaning of it was: I may want you--some time."

It was my theory, as the editor of an important journal in Ohio during
the time General Garfield served in Congress, that he needed a good
deal of admonition; that he had a tendency to sentimentalism in
politics that called for correction; that he required paragraphs to
brace him up in various affairs; that he lacked a little in worldly
wisdom, and maybe had a dangerous tendency to giving and taking too
much confidence; and that he was disposed to dwell upon a mountain,
and would be the better off for an occasional taking-down with a shade
of good-humored sarcasm. He was still boyish about some things, and
the speculative men in public life sought to beguile him. He was
growing all the time, though. He was a student, and was brainy and
generous, and laughed at "able articles" even if they had stings in
them.

[Illustration: GARFIELD IN 1863

From a photograph by Handy, Washington.]

Cincinnati knew him best as the Christian orator--follower of
Alexander Campbell--who preached with a big voice and great
earnestness at the corner of Walnut and Eighth Streets. This was when
he was a grand young man, sure enough. Some time after, Congress found
it out. After a while the public knew Garfield as one of the half
dozen strongest men in the country. Next to John Sherman he stood the
most commanding figure in Ohio politics, and was elected Senator of
the United States, his term commencing on the day on which, as it
happened, he was inaugurated President. He was just realizing
his ability, having had it measured for him in the House of
Representatives, and knew he was a force in affairs. He enjoyed his
dinners and dressed well, and was of imposing presence: a good-natured
giant--no posing--no troublesome sense of grandeur--none of the pomp
affected by public men too conscious of importance.

[Illustration: GARFIELD IN 1867, WITH HIS DAUGHTER. AT THIS TIME HE
WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS, IN THE LOWER HOUSE
OF CONGRESS.

From a photograph by Handy, Washington.]

He suffered under the petty charge that he had been influenced by a
scrap of stock whose value might be affected by Congressional action;
and those who knew him well were aware that his innocence of knowledge
to do what he was charged with doing, w