The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-29
GARFIELD AT SCHOOL.
His Original Explanation Of 0bGyilg a Teachers
Command.

James a. Garfield was sent to school when
6 years of age. He soon showed that he had
q good memory and great powers Of obserya-
ton, learning great deal from oyerhearing
the recitations of the older scholars in his
class. The master of a school he attended
once boarded at his mothers house, and took
a great fancy to James, quickly discovering
that he was bright boy, writes George j.
Manson, in Harper's Young People. He
told the little fellow that if he studied hard
he might some day be a General. James
soon after went to his mother ana asked her
to tell him what a General was His mother
then told him an interesting story of how his
ancestors had fought in the Revolutionary
war. saying that though several of them de-
served to be Generals, they never reached
that dignity. James understood what it
was to be q General. though he expressed
grave doubts whether he would ever be one
This same teacher laid down in the school
a new rule to the effect that scholars should
not look about the school-room, as it inter-
fered with studying their lessons. Now little
James Garfield was of very active turn of
mind, he had always been used to looking
around the room, and, as [ have said, he
picked up" considerable information by
listening to the scholars of the higher grades
recIte their lessons. He treid to obey the
rule, for by nature he was an obedient child,
but every now and then his eyes would be
raised from his book, and go wandering off
to the group of scholars reciting in another
part of the room. That evening, in the
presence of James, the teacher complained
to his mother Of his want of atten-
ton. The mother remarked that per-
haps he could not sit still; that he
had been an intensely active child all
his life James cried. and said that lie
meant to be good bow, and that he would
try again 10 sit still. But the next day he
would. as the saying is, prick up his ears"
when the other scholars were reciting, and
his eyes would roam away from the printed
page before him. The teacher, however,
had changed his opinion of the restless
scholar: he noticed that he acquired MS
lessons faster than any other boy III the
class; so he came to the conclusion that
James Garfield really could not master his
restlessness, which was not the result OF an
idle nature, but of an active, inquirlng
mind, and he ceased to reprimand him for
the habit.
Garfield was quick-witted lad. One day
he and another boy had been mischieyOus III
school. The teacher told them 10 go home.
They were surprised, and hesitated to obey
the command.
Don't delay" said the teacher; " go at
once"
Young Garfield darted out of the door and
ran home as fast as he could, reaching the
house in about five minutes; then he turned
round, and, without stopping moment, ran
back 10 school aud took his seat in the class.
The teacher soon noticed him, and said:
l thought told you to go home?'
James said he had been home. but you
did not tell me TO stay" he added.
The teacher smiled at this original explana-
ton, and James was informed that lie could
stay where he was.