that school-house it occurred to me as being strange that the white
children should be compelled to sit and study hour after hour, while us
little darkies "loafed around" and did nothing. Why couldn't we lighten
our young masters and mistresses of that labor as well as other kinds of
labor? I determined that my young mistresses should not be made slaves
of by the school-master, but that I would do that work for them, as they
were generally so kind to me. So I proposed the matter to them, and they
were tremendously pleased; at least they laughed and chatted a great
deal about me getting their lessons for them, which so elated me that I
could not avoid turning handsprings and somersaults all the way home
that evening, my joy being so great at the idea of doing my mistresses
the favor of taking such great labor off their hands as getting their
lessons. I did not doubt my ability to perform the work, for I was
stout, hearty, and large for my age, and could almost make a full hand
in the field. Such was my idea at that time of getting lessons. However,
the next day my young mistresses told me the school-master would not
allow me to study their lessons for them, but that I might take a book
and sit outside of the school-house and study there, but that I must be
sure and not let any one see me. Why not? Why should _I_ not study
lessons in the school-house for my young mistresses? Because it is
against the "law" for slaves to learn to read and write. Well, that is
curious. A person, because he is a slave, must not study lessons; must
not learn to read and write because it is against the "law." What law?

My mistress used often to read to the children from a book which told
about Jesus, and Mary, and Lazarus, and Peter, and Paul; and how Jesus
was our Savior, and shed his precious blood for the redemption of all
who believed him and would obey his commands; and how Jesus said,
"Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of
heaven." Did the "law" prohibit me from studying lessons out of a book