I must tell you, you know, as a friend, you'd better not be meddling with such notions; they are bad, George, very bad, for boys in your condition,--very;" and Mr.Wilson sat down to a table, and began nervously chewing the handle of his umbrella.
"See here, now, Mr.Wilson," said George, coming up and sitting himself determinately down in front of him; "look at me, now.

Don't I sit before you, every way, just as much a man as you are?
Look at my face,--look at my hands,--look at my body," and the young man drew himself up proudly; "why am I _not_ a man, as much as anybody?
Well, Mr.Wilson, hear what I can tell you.

I had a father--one of your Kentucky gentlemen--who didn't think enough of me to keep me from being sold with his dogs and horses, to satisfy the estate, when he died.

I saw my mother put up at sheriff's sale, with her seven children.

They were sold before her eyes, one by one, all to different masters; and I was the youngest.