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Daniel Tries To
Learn to Read
The next morning I arose early, washed myself, and was soon seated in the corner with my primer. My mother repeated the names of the letters - a - b - and c and so on until they were perfectly learned by me. My progress was rapid. In a few weeks I could spell and read it through with care.
1 My mother’s education was limited. She spared no time nor pains in instructing me, but her capacity did not allow her to instruct me further than the limit of a primer.
My advancement was indeed rapid for the chance I had in the course of two years I could master the spelling book and McGuffy’s 2nd Reader tolable well. As early as the year 1860. I could write a fair hand. Every one around me was astonished at my great success in learning. Just at this time a stumbling block appeared in my way. At the age of thirteen I became aware that I belonged to the African race whose education was forbidden by the Laws of the land.
Long before the year 1860 the education of the colored population was forbidden by the law of the state of Virginia as they were in slavery; it was thought by the white people advisable that they should not be educated. This was disheartning to me and I threw education aside thinking if I ever became an 'intelligent man, in regard to the science of learning, it would be of no use to me for I dare not let any one know of my interprise.
About that time the great civil was rag ng at a fearful rate. The part of the country that I resided in was cut off from intercourse with the commercial nations of the earth,which made domestic articles in a large demand.
I then resided in a pleasent mountain-site known as Berry’s farm near Piedmont meeting house. The location was a beautiful mountain view remarkable its retired position which screened it from the ravage of the contending Armies.
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