When he was eight years old he commenced the study of grammar,

geography, and history, from old books lent him by his patron; and he

also took a higher degree in his art, and began to assist his master by

doing the duties of clerk and making the responses, whenever the

professor assumed the office of parson and conducted the church services

to a barn full of colored brethren; by performing the part of mourner

whenever the professor undertook to superintend a funeral; and by

playing the tambourine in accompaniment to the professor's violin

whenever the latter became master of ceremonies for a colored ball!

In this manner he not only paid for his own tuition, but earned a very

small stipend, which it was his pride to carry to Hannah, promising her

that some day soon he should be able to earn enough to support her in

comfort.

Thus our boy was rapidly progressing in the art of odd jobs and bidding

fair to emulate the fame and usefulness of the eminent professor

himself, when an event occurred in the neighborhood that was destined to

change the direction of his genius.




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