I hardly knew what else to do, but pray.

The boy was twenty years old, and had been accustomed to waiting in the house, for the most respectable families.

It occurred to me, that I might perhaps get him a home near me, where we might see him and use our parental influence over him.

I thought it was possible, that I might find three hundred persons among my friends in Baltimore, who would contribute one dollar each to save my son, and that I might then obtain some friend in Baltimore to advance four hundred dollars, and let my son work it out with him: and give this friend a life insurance policy on the boy, as a security.

This plan seemed practicable, and I wrote to his owners, asking for ten days to raise the money; which they granted me.
I now got my case made known publicly to the different colored congregations in the city--and was very much surprised to find how many friends I had, and how kindly they engaged in helping me.