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.