irly made my heart ache to see my little
nieces going around almost naked, bare footed, and have them always
asking for things I was powerless to give them. I determined to go from
place to place until I secured employment of some kind that would in a
measure, permit me to feed, and as far as I was able, clothe mother and
the children, now dependent on me.
[Illustration: Raising Tobacco--We Knock the Worms Off]
The fact that I was now free, gave me new born courage to face the world
and what the future might hold in store for me. After tramping around
the country for two days, I finally secured work with a Mr. Brooks,
about six miles from home at one dollar and fifty cents a month.
Notwithstanding the smallness of my prospective wages, I was happy and
returned home in a jubilant frame of mind, to impart the news to mother.
I was to commence the next morning. Mother said it was not much, but
better than nothing. I told mother that I thought I could bring some
food and clothing home for the children before the month was out. The
little ones hearing this, were overjoyed and looked on me as a rich man
indeed. Jordan was to remain at home and attend to what little there was
to do, and the next day I started work for Mr. Brooks. In less than a
week I made my first visit home, taking with me some potatoes, bacon,
cornmeal, and some molasses, which I had rustled in various ways. I also
had a bundle of old clothing given to me by the neighbors, which mother
could make over for the children, and to say the children were happy is
but a mild expression.
For the second month I received a raise of fifty cents, and the third
month of my employment, so good did I work, that I received three
dollars. With so many at home to provide for, my wages did not last
long, but out of my three dollars I bought each of the children a book.
The rest went for provisions and clothing. One day while passing the
store of Mr. Graves, near our home I saw a checked sunbonnet and a red
calico dress which struck my fancy as just what I wanted for mother. On
asking the price Mr. Graves told me I could have the sunbonnet for
twenty-five cents and the dress for four bits. That seemed to be within
my means, and quite reasonable. I asked him to keep them for me until I
got my wages at the end of the month. This Mr. Graves promised to do if
I would pay him something down. I only had fifteen cents of which I paid
five cents on the bonnet and ten cents on the
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