Chapter 3 It took of course more than that particular passage to place us together in presence of what we had now to live with as we could—my dreadful liability to impressions of the order so vividly exemplified, and my companion’s knowledge, henceforth—a knowledge half consternation and half compassion—of that liability. There had been, this […]
When a lion became old and haggard, and was unable to hunt, he realised that he would have to resort to more cunning and less to physical power. So, he declared himself sick and retired to his den. Whenever anyone of his subjects came to pay a visit to him, he would grab and eat
Chapter 2 Her thus turning her back on me was fortunately not, for my just preoccupations, a snub that could check the growth of our mutual esteem. We met, after I had brought home little Miles, more intimately than ever on the ground of my stupefaction, my general emotion: so monstrous was I then ready
Chapter 1 I remember the whole beginning as a succession of flights and drops, a little seesaw of the right throbs and the wrong. After rising, in town, to meet his appeal, I had at all events a couple of very bad days—found myself doubtful again, felt indeed sure I had made a mistake. In
Once a wolf, while devouring his prey, got a large piece of bone stuck in his throat. He began whining in pain. The pain became unbearable and it became almost impossible for him to breathe. He was almost on the verge of death when he fortunately saw a crane passing by. This created a ray
Chapter 9 The death of General Armstrong gave me the privilege of getting acquainted with one of the finest, most unselfish, and most attractive men that I have ever come in contact with. I refer to the Rev. Dr. Hollis B. Frissell, now the Principal of the Hampton Institute, and General Armstrong’s successor. Under the
Chapter 8 At the Atlanta Exposition, first of all Governor Bullock made an address for a brief period. I too was there to represent the Negro race. Others to follow the Governor were Bishop Nelson of Georgia; Albert Howell, Jr. President of the Exposition; and Mrs Joseph Thompson, the President of the Women’s Board. Now
Chapter 7 When we opened our boarding department, we provided rooms in the attic of Porter Hall, our first building, for a number of girls. But the number of students, of both sexes, continued to increase. We could find rooms outside the school grounds for many of the young men, but the girls we did
Chapter 6 A little later in the history of the school we had a visit from General J.F.B. Marshall, the Treasurer of the Hampton Institute, who had had faith enough to lend us the first two hundred and fifty dollars with which to make a payment down on the farm. He remained with us a
Chapter 5 In spite of being in charge of the Indians and night school at Hampton I continued my studies under the able guidance of the efficient instructors. I had a keen desire to uplift the coloured people and do something for them. So I focused my concentration on studies. I had the privilege of
Once a hunter went to a jungle to hunt animals. While passing through the deep forest, he heard the sound of the cracking of dried leaves. He saw a leopard that was trying to hide itself. But when the leopard saw the hunter advancing, it ran fast and covered a long distance. On his way,
Chapter 4 The time between 1867 and 1878 was the period of Reconstruction. It was a good period for me personally. During this period I remained a student at Hampton Institute and a teacher in West Virginia. Success was kissing my feet. I was on cloud nine. But two grave questions were constantly troubling the
Chapter 3 After getting admitted to the Hampton Institute which was meant for the coloured people, I came across many a difficulty. I somehow overcame all the difficulties that came my way. One day, vacation was declared at Hampton Institute. The students set about preparing their luggage in order to go back home. I saw
Chapter 2 Once we had freedom, we were very much elated. All of us were on cloud nine. All of us argued on two points as regards our freedom. Firstly, we must change our names. Secondly, it was mooted that we should leave our old plantations for a few days so that we might sense
Chapter 1 I am telling you about the story of my life. I am unable to recollect the exact date and place of my birth. But one thing is sure. I was born a slave on a plantation in Franklin Country, Virginia. Maybe in the year 1858 or 1859, I saw the light of the