The plea which I mainly adopted, and the one by which I was most successful, was that of using my young white playmates, with whom I met in the streets as teachers.

I used to carry, almost constantly, a copy of Webster's spelling book in my pocket; and, when sent of errands, or when play time was allowed me, I would step, with my young friends, aside, and take a lesson in spelling.

I generally paid my _tuition fee_ to the boys, with bread, which I also carried in my pocket.

For a single biscuit, any of my hungry little comrades would give me a lesson more valuable to me than bread.

Not every one, however, demanded this consideration, for there were those who took pleasure in teaching me, whenever I had a chance to be taught by them.