This I decided to
sell, in order to get a little money for travelling expenses. 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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