I cannot describe to a free man, what a proud manly feeling came over me when I hired to Mr.C.
and made my first bargain, nor when I assumed the dignity of collecting my own earnings.

Notwithstanding I was very happy in my freedom from Slavery, and had a good home, where for the first time in my life I was allowed to sit at table with others, yet I found myself very deficient in almost every thing which I should have learned when a boy.
These and other recollections of the past often saddened my spirit; but _hope _,--cheering and bright, was now mine, and it lighted up the future and gave me patience to persevere.
In the autumn when the farm work was done, I called on Mr.Comstock for some money, and the first thing I did after receiving it I went to Canandaigua where I found a book-store kept by a man named J.D.Bemis, and of him I purchased some school books.
No king on his throne could feel prouder or grander than I did that day.
With my books under my arm, and money of my own earning in my pocket, I stepped loftily along toward Farmington, where I determined to attend the Academy.

The thought, however, that though I was twenty-three years old, I had yet to learn what most boys of eight years knew, was rather a damper on my spirits.

The school was conducted by Mr.J.Comstock, who was a pleasant young man and an excellent teacher.

He showed me every kindness and consideration my position and ignorance demanded; and I attended his school three winters, with pleasure and profit to myself at least.
When I had been with Mr.Comstock about a year, we received a visit from my old master, Capt.