[295] As a child Arthur was a generous, impulsive, mischievous little fellow, very quick-tempered and fond of fun. A friend of his mother writes:—
I remember Arthur as the handsomest, gayest, bravest child I ever saw. His entire fearlessness often astonished me. I can see him now as if it were but yesterday, standing on one foot in the hand of his uncle's outstretched arm, his other foot clasped in his little hand while he balanced himself with his other arm. There he stood joyous and triumphant.When Arthur was nearly nine years old, his father removed to Baltimore. Here he began his Latin Grammar, and was soon brought forward as the show scholar whenever visitors came to the school. At thirteen he entered the third class of the Boston Latin School, and under its excellent training his love for the classic languages increased. He spent much of his leisure time in reading Horace and Lucretius, and in writing Latin verses; and when in the second year of the school, gained for a Latin ode the prize which belonged to the first class. It was his way to adopt one or two pursuits, and to follow them with enthusiasm, while he cared little for any others. About this time he took a great interest in gymnastics, in which he was fitted to excel by a strong and compact frame and a fearless spirit. He graduated at the Latin School in 1857, taking another prize; and as his father thought it best for him to defer entering college for a year, he entered the second class at the High School. Here he wrote an English poem entitled, Mens sana in corpore sano, on his favorite subject of physical training, and, contrary to custom, he was requested to recite it on the graduating day of the first class. He entered college without conditions, but had been there only six months when an advantageous offer was made to him to go into a store in Chicago, which he thought it best to accept on account of his father's circumstances at the time, and because, although he enjoyed college life, he did not intend to study for a profession. Arthur's experience in Chicago was much the same as that of all young men who begin at the foot
