Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/175

“There was a gentleman near us who took some notice of me, took me to his house, and showed me his library. How delighted I was to see so many fine books! He asked me to take one and read it, and come back and take another. This opened a new door to me. I began to study mathematics. I drew my diagrams on the hearth, and worked them out, and went on till I learned a great deal. My good friend watched me lovingly, and every now and then examined me and gave me encouragement. One day he said to me, ‘How would you like to go to West Point in the State of New York, where young men are educated at their country’s expense to do service afterwards?’ I asked him whether I was prepared to go there, and he answered, ‘Yes.’ I sewed a piece of linen and made a knapsack into which I put my clothes, got my credentials, and started for Sandusky, two hundred miles off. I walked part of the way, sometimes got a ride, and at length reached the lake. A steamer was up, as they said, and I went on board and asked the captain if he would take me to Buffalo. He told me what the fare was. ‘But, I said, ‘I have no money.’ ‘Then you cannot go.’ I answered, ‘The weather is fine, I can sleep on deck, and I will help in kindling fires or doing anything else.’ He took me. This was in 1825. The Erie Canal was not quite finished. I walked one hundred miles to a point where boats were running. I went to a boat and asked the captain to take me to Albany. He told me the fare, but I said to him, ‘I will run errands, help the cook, and do anything else I can.’ He took me, and treated me kindly, and when we were approaching Albany I said to him, ‘You have been-very kind; I will show what my business is here.’ I had sewed my