"I shouldn't like to get into a fight with a pupil," said James, slowly.
"You'll have to run the risk of it unless you teach a girls' school. I guess you wouldn't have any trouble there."
"Not of that kind, probably. What wages do you pay?"
"Twelve dollars a month and board. Of course, you'll board round."
Twelve dollars a month would not be considered very high wages now, but to James it was a consideration. He had earned as much in other ways, but he was quite anxious to try his luck as a teacher. That might be his future vocation, not teaching a district school, of course, but this would be the first round of the ladder that might lead to a college professorship. The first step is the most difficult, but it must be taken, and the Ledge Hill School, difficult as it probably would be, was to be the first step for the future President of Hiram College.
All these considerations James rapidly revolved in his mind, and then he came to a decision.
"When does the school commence?" he asked.
"Next Monday."
"I accept your offer. I'll be on hand in time."
The news quickly reached the Ledge Hill district that "Jim Garfield," as he was popularly called, was to be their next teacher.