I had to admit that Mr. Frost was mainly teaching his students to read, write and count. He really didn't have time for much else. School was becoming a bore. And I was getting restless.

One day Uncle Andy told me that a family by the name of Smith was going to Fort Scott, Kansas. "Do they have a school for coloreds there?" I asked. "I reckon so." He said.

I learned that Kansas had been a free state, and that even the abolitionist John Brown had spent time there.

Fort Scott was seventy miles away. If I went there I would surely miss Aunt Sue and Uncle Mose, as well as Aunt Mariah and Uncle Andy. But I made up my mind to go there with the Smith's if they would let me. That way I would be making the best use of my talent as the scripture parables taught.


Page 17 | Page 19 | Contents
Telehub Homepage | W.E.B DuBois Learning Center Homepage