In addition to this, I gave private lessons to several young men whom I was fitting to send to the Hampton Institute.

Without regard to pay and with little thought of it, I taught any one who wanted to learn anything that I could teach him.

I was supremely happy in the opportunity of being able to assist somebody else.

I did receive, however, a small salary from the public fund, for my work as a public-school teacher.
During the time that I was a student at Hampton my older brother, John, not only assisted me all that he could, but worked all of the time in the coal-mines in order to support the family.

He willingly neglected his own education that he might help me.