Page:Lives of the presidents in words of one syllable (1903).djvu/131

 House. Pres-i-dent Hayes drove with Gar-field on the day of days, when he was to take his seat. Both these men had fine looks and had come from the same state.

Vir-gin-ia had been said to be the "Moth-er of Pres-i-dents," but for the third time, now, the chair had been held by a man born and bred in O-hi-o. Each of these men had been in the Ar-my through the Civ-il War, and had won name and fame on hard fought fields.

Gar-field made a fine speech when his hour came. He told of all it was his wish to do for the good of the land. The men he chose for high posts were some of the best. One of these was James G. Blaine. Then there was Thom-as L. James, who was at the head of the Post Of-fice work. All were stanch and true.

In four months from the day Gar-field was made Pres-i-dent, while he and Mr. Blaine were just to start off on a short trip, and went arm in arm through the main room of the de-pot at Wash-ing-ton, the sound of a shot rang out on the air. One more of these came and then the Pres-i-dent sank to the floor. The first ball had done no harm but the next was a wound to death. For long weeks the Pres-i-dent had to bear great pain as he lay on his bed in the White House. All hearts were sad.

With the hope that the sea air would do him good he went to El-be-ron, New Jer-sey, and there drew his last breath, Sept. 19, 1881.

In lands o'er the sea as well as in this, hearts went out in grief to those the good Pres-i-dent had left. His name stands high on the scroll of fame.