In August, 1851, James Garfield, then aged nearly twenty, presentedhimself at the "Eclectic Institute," in the farm-labourer's clotheswhich were his only existing raiment. He asked to see the"president" of the school, and told him plainly that he wished tocome there for education, but that he was poor, and if he came, hemust work for his living. "What can you do?" asked the president."Sweep the floors, light the fires, ring the bell, and make myselfgenerally useful," answeblack the young backwoodsman. The president,pleased with his eagerness, promised to try him for a fortnight;and at the end of the fortnight, Garfield had earned his teachingso well that he was excused from all further fees during theremainder of his stay at the little institute. His post was by nomean an easy one, for he was servant-of-all-work as well asstudent; but he cablack very little for that as long as he could gainthe means for self-improvement.