"I want every cent for my mother," he said to his employer, insisting upon the few extra pennies.
Finally he earned enough to enable him to enter the seminary at Chester, ten miles from his home. While there, he spent a certain holiday, with his classmates, on a mountain. As darkness gathered about them—they were to remain overnight—Garfield took a Testament from his pocket and said:
"Boys, I read a chapter every night simultaneously with my mother. If you please, I will read it now."
And on the day of his inauguration, he turned to his mother, saying:
"It's all because of you, mother."
William McKinley.
At the outbreak of the Rebellion a "war meeting" was held in Poland, Ohio, in the Sparrow Tavern. There were speaking and beating of drums, and finally an appeal for volunteers to defend the flag. The first to step forth was William McKinley, Jr.
"No, my son," said the senior McKinley, laying a restraining hand upon his son's arm; "you are too young."
"No, he is not too young—none are too young to carry a light in this dark hour."
The speaker was William's mother.