most of himself. Then he was ready-witted,
and able to grapple with unexpected emergencies. This will be seen in
an incident which took place when he was a boy at school.

One day he was sitting by the side of his cousin, Henry Boynton, when
the two lads began to indulge in little tricks with each other. The
teacher noticed their inattention, and, when they laughed out a little
louder than they had intended, he called out, "James and Henry, lay
aside your books and go home, both of you."

They were so little prepared for such a course of action, that for a
moment they remained in their seats with very serious looks in their
faces. They both knew that the teacher's authority would be supported
at home, and that their parents would be grieved, if not angry, at such
a wanton breach of the rules of the school, as that of which they had
been guilty.

"Don't dilly-dally!" exclaimed the teacher; "go home immediately!"

The boys passed out of the door at once, and sadly turned homewards,
wondering how to make the best of the disaster which had befallen them.
You will remember that the school was built on the Garfield farm, and
that therefore it was quite near James's home. The sharp little fellow
suddenly thought of this, and off he ran as fast as he could. Without
being seen by his mother, he reached home, and started back again to
the school. Then, without a word, he slipped inside and took his seat.

Looking up, the teacher saw him sitting there, and, never thinking that
his order had been obeyed, he called out in a severe tone of voice,
"James, did I not tell you to go home?"

"I have been home," said the boy quite calmly.

"Been home?" replied the teacher, who was at a loss how to deal with
the boy's ready wit in getting out of the difficulty.

"Yes, sir," he said, "I have been home. You did not tell me to stay
there."

What could the teacher do under such circumstances but tell the boy
that he might remain? He saw that James had learned a lesson, and
would not again incur the risk of being sent home in disgrace. Unlike
many boys, James showed neither a sulky nor a discontented spirit. He
knew that the punishment was deserved, and therefore he set about
undoing the mischief by prompt obedience, and his ready wit suggested a
way out of the trouble.

Before he left home, Thomas was anxious to make his mother as
comfortable as possible. When he heard that the people of the district
had decided to buil