The writer was a Negro (man of color). His early life was full of difficulties and hardships. He began working in a coal mine. It was here that he overheard about Normal and Agricultural Institute. The author felt an urge to join this institute. His mother reluctantly permitted him, whereas his brother John helped him as much as he could.
Finally, he started for Hampton with just a few clothes in a bag and a little money. Taking lift in cars and wagons, he reached Richmond, only about eighty-two miles away from Hampton. Here, he had all sorts of difficulties and had to spend his night under a sidewalk. But he was not the least discouraged.
The next day, he got a job unloading cargo from a ship to make some money. He worked on the ship for several days to save some money. When he had enough money to reach Hampton, he resumed his journey.
He reached Hampton and presented himself before the headteacher for assignment to a class. The teacher asked him to sweep a recitation room, which he did very loose and quite thoroughly.
The headteacher was so pleased with his work that she allowed him to join the institute. It was one of the happiest days of the author’s life. One day the writer heard two miners talking about a great school in Virginia. He thought that it must be the greatest place on earth. So, he decided to go to that school at once, although he did not know where it was.
Explanation: The writer made up his mind to go to that school in the fall of 1872. But his mother was afraid that he would not be able to achieve his goal. Yet, she allowed him to go half-heartedly. The author had very little money with him for travel expenses and for buying other necessary items. Anyhow his brother John helped him with some money. The writer had a keen desire to go to Hampton for education. He was a person with little means, but he was determined to proceed to Hampton. Finally, the day of his departure came.
Explanation: The writer says that he had only a few things to take with him, like his clothes into a cheap school bag. He further says that his mother was so weak and in such poor health that he did not hope for her to survive for long. For this reason, he had to leave her with a heavy heart. But his mother faced the parting with courage and showed no sign of sadness. The writer reached the city of Richmond at night by begging rides both in wagons and in cars. It took him several days to reach here. At this time, he was tired, hungry, and in dirty clothes.
Explanation: The writer was quite a stranger in Richmond. He had never come before to a large city, and he had no money. So he was much worried. Nobody was known to him there. He was quite unfamiliar with the ways of the city. He wanted to stay somewhere and eat food. But wherever he went, everybody wanted money, and he had no money to give. So, he went on walking on the streets.
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