in
ruin. Yet he heard enough to convince him that strong drink was an
enemy, and therefore, at the early age of eight, he became a temperance
reformer. Little did the patient mother think that her humble efforts
at man-making would produce such grand results, and that she was
rearing in that lonely cabin one of the noblest characters the world
has ever seen.

The motto of the Garfield family was, "Through faith I conquer." That
motto was woven into the life of the boy. Pure in spirit, prompt in
action, loyal in thought and deed to God and his mother, James came to
regard the boy or man who did not dare to do right as the greatest
coward of all.

With such a firm foundation to rest upon, we do not wonder that James
Garfield's life has been, and will be, an inspiration to many young men
on both sides of the Atlantic.

CHAPTER VII.

THE TWO BROTHERS.

A New House--Thomas leaves Home--Sorrow at Parting--James left to
Manage the Farm--The Value of Experience.

At length Thomas was twenty-one, and the time had come for him to go
out into the world and make a way for himself. One thing he at that
time desired above all others, and that was to build a better house for
his mother.

To do this properly it was necessary to engage a carpenter, who would
make the necessary framework. Then Thomas and James would help him to
put up the building. But money was needed to carry out the
undertaking, and this was the purpose to which Thomas decided to devote
his first earnings when he left home.

One day Thomas returned from an expedition in search of work, in high
glee. He had obtained employment in the State of Michigan. He had
engaged to assist in clearing the forest, that is, in cutting down
trees for a man who was about to make a farm. His wages were to be
fifty shillings a month. This sum seemed a very large amount to James,
who seldom saw much money, and did not know the important part it plays
in towns and cities. Though Mrs. Garfield knew that it was better,
both for the family and for her eldest son, that he should go away and
take a place, a man among men, yet she was very anxious that no evil
should befall him.

Thomas had been a faithful son and a loving brother. He had been the
mainstay of the family since that sad day when the grave in the
wheatfield hid from their eyes the remains of the husband and father,
who had never spared himself in his efforts to provide for them.

How much she had