American Boys Life of Theodore Roosevelt | Page 9

determined not to be an
idler. He would travel and improve his mind, and then settle down to
that for which he seemed best fitted.
To Europe then he went, accompanied by his bride, to study a little and
to visit the art galleries and museums, the palaces of kings and queens,
and the many great cities of that continent. He travelled through Italy,
Switzerland, Germany, France, and the British Isles, taking note of
everything he saw and comparing it with what he had seen in his own

country. When in lower Europe, the spirit of adventure seized him, and
he climbed those lofty mountains of the Alps, the Jungfrau and the
Matterhorn, and for those deeds of daring was made a member of the
Alpine Club of London. It may be mentioned here that climbing the
mountains mentioned is a very difficult feat, and that more than one
traveller has lost his life in such attempts. The peaks are covered with
snow and ice; the path from one cliff to the next is narrow and
uncertain, and a fall into some dark and fearful hollow usually means
death. But the danger only urged Theodore Roosevelt on, and added
zest to the undertaking.
He was intensely interested in all he saw, both in Europe proper and in
the British Isles, but wrote that he was glad to get back home again,
among his own people. To him there was no country like America, the
land of Golden Opportunity, as one of our most noted writers has called
it. In Europe there was more or less a lack of personal liberty; here a
man could try to make what he pleased of himself, be it cobbler or
President.
The young college graduate had an uncle in New York, named Robert
B. Roosevelt, who was a well-known lawyer. On his return to this
country Theodore Roosevelt entered his uncle's office, and likewise
took up the study of law at Columbia University, attending the lectures
given by Professor Dwight. Here again his search after what he termed
"bottom facts" came to light, and he is well remembered as a member
of the law class because of the way he frequently asked questions and
called for explanations--accepting nothing as a fact until it was
perfectly clear in his own mind. The interruptions did not always suit
the professor or the other students, yet they were often the means of
clearing up a point that was hazy to many others who had not the
courage to thrust forth their inquiries as did Theodore Roosevelt.
"He wants to know it all," said one student, in disgust.
"Well, never mind; I wish I knew it all," answered another. "I guess he
knows what he is doing." And in this he was right; Theodore Roosevelt
knew exactly what he was trying to accomplish.

The young man was now twenty-three years of age, broad-shouldered,
and in much better health than ever before. He had not abandoned his
athletic training, and would often run out to the old home at Oyster Bay
for a tramp into the woods or on a hunting tour.
While still studying law, Theodore Roosevelt entered politics by taking
an active part in a Republican primary. He lived in the twenty-third
assembly district of the state. The district included a great number of
rich and influential citizens, and on that account was called the
"Diamond Back District."
"Let us put up young Roosevelt for Assembly," said one of the
politicians. "He's a clever fellow."
"That may be," said another. "But I don't know that we can manage him.
He seems a fellow who wants his own way."
"Yes, he'll want his own way, but I reckon that way will be the right
way," put in a third speaker.
No sooner had Theodore Roosevelt's name been mentioned as a
possible candidate than there was a storm of opposition from some
politicians who had in the past ruled the district with a rod of iron. It
was a Republican district, so that the contest for the place was entirely
in the primary.
"If he is nominated and elected, our power will be gone," they told
themselves; and set to work without delay to throw the nomination into
the hands of somebody else.
Theodore Roosevelt suspected what was going on, but he said nothing
to those who opposed him. With his friends he was very frank, and told
them that if he was nominated he would do his best to win the election
and serve them honestly in the legislature.
His open-heartedness won him many friends, and when the primary
was held, those who had opposed him were chagrined to see him win
the nomination with votes to spare. Some at once predicted that he

would not be elected.
"Those who opposed