But I had many good reasons for pressing the matter; and, after listening to them awhile, he did not absolutely refuse, but told me he would think of it.

Here, then, was a gleam of hope.

Once master of my own time, I felt sure that I could make, over and above my obligation to him, a dollar or two every week.

Some slaves have made enough, in this way, to purchase their freedom.

It is a sharp spur to industry; and some of the most enterprising colored men in Baltimore hire themselves in this way.