d his just dues, he would be "assigned
a portion among the lost."

For a long time he was bowed down under the weight of his sins, and at
length he found peace through the blood of Christ. He was renewed. The
avaricious man became liberal, the implacable enemy became the
forgiving friend, and the man of cursing a man of prayer. But it was
impossible for him to cease to grieve; so he thought he would sell the
farm and seek another home. The farm was sold, the horses and tools,
and every thing converted into money. The children were bound out, and
all arrangements were perfected to seek another home.

He paid a visit to Alton, Illinois, where he spent two or three years.
In those days Alton was the city _par excellence_ of Illinois, and
toward it flowed the tide of emigration. So favorably was he impressed
with Alton, that he was determined to make it his home. Accordingly,
he began to make preparations for moving the children. In the
meanwhile he formed the acquaintance of a widow lady in Alton with
whom he became very much pleased. She was a tall, handsome-looking
yellow woman, of cultivated manners, and of pleasing address.
Anderson's wife had been dead three or four years.

It was now August 17, 1842, and the hand and heart of Anderson were
offered Mrs. Mary Jane Ragens and accepted. With his new companion he
now returned to the scenes of his early days and to the four children
who joyfully awaited his return. He had made up his mind to settle in
Alton. He and his new companion began to prepare for the journey. The
family now consisted of the four children of Anderson and two children
of his wife, making a family of six besides the two heads.

During the time that intervened between the death of his first wife
and his engagement to the second, he taught school in Vincennes,
Indiana, Alton and Brookton, Illinois. The old home stood upon the
Wabash River, and was quite upon the line that divided the two
States,--Indiana and Illinois. His own children went to his school,
and were carried across the river on his back. On the other bank stood
the log school-house of which he was principal.

In those, days it was a matter of some comment to see a Colored man
who dared write his name or tell his age, but to see one who was
actually a schoolmaster was the marvel of the times. His teaching was
a matter of comment in Vincennes, but Vincennes was only a little
country town. But to go to Alton,--that city of great fame, then