I had a good deal of boyish pride, and I tried to hide, as far as
I could, from the other students the fact that I had no money and
nowhere to go. I made it known to a few people in the town of
Hampton that I had this coat to sell, and, after a good deal of
persuading, one coloured man promised to come to my room to look
the coat over and consider the matter of buying it. This cheered
my drooping spirits considerably. Early the next morning my
prospective customer appeared. After looking the garment over
carefully, he asked me how much I wanted for it. I told him I
thought it was worth three dollars. He seemed to agree with me as
to price, but remarked in the most matter-of-fact way: "I tell
you what I will do; I will take the coat, and will pay you five
cents, cash down, and pay you the rest of the money just as soon
as I can get it." It is not hard to imagine what my feelings were
at the time.
With this disappointment I gave up all hope of getting out of the
town of Hampton for my vacation work. I wanted very much to go
where I might secure work that would at least pay me enough to
purchase some much-needed clothing and other necessities. In a
few days practically all the students and teachers had left for
their homes, and this served to depress my spirits even more.
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