Page:Lives of the presidents in words of one syllable (1903).djvu/83

 As his fa-ther had no chance or means to buy books for him it was thought best that he should learn a trade. When he was a strong youth of half a score and four years old he made a start to learn to card wool and dress cloth. To do this he was bound out to work for a man with whom he staid five years. That man was harsh to all who were there, but most so to young Fill-more. One day this bad man, who was not just, tried to beat his good bound boy, but the youth, through his woods work, was strong, so he took an axe in his hand and told the bad man that if he did so it would cost him his life. The man then thought it would be best not to try to thrash this brave lad.

When young Fill-more left that work he put up some bread, dry deer meat, and his few clothes, and set out on foot for his fa-ther's house, which was more than five scores of miles off. What he went through at that time made a deep mark on him. It staid by him all his life, and kept him kind to all, but most so to the weak and those with none to help them.

In course of time Fill-more had found out a way to take up law. Soon he was at the Bar. He won his first case. He was not quick, but slow and sure.

Fill-more was sent to Con-gress in 1832, and was there six years. He held some fine posts, and did so well in all of them that he was put in as Vice Pres-i-dent. Then, when the Pres-i-dent died, Fill-more took his place.

The theme of the slaves still kept to the front. Fill-more thought it would be well to send them out of this land. He thought they would be well off in Africa. They would not then be bought and sold. There they could have their homes and lands, and be free.