1 But to return to Mr. Freeland, and to my experience while in his employment.
2 He did not strike me, but told me that he would find me in constant employment in future.
3 I found employment, the third day after my arrival, in stowing a sloop with a load of oil.
4 He then took me into the ship-yard of which he was foreman, in the employment of Mr. Walter Price.
5 In my new employment, I found myself even more awkward than a country boy appeared to be in a large city.
6 His farm was large, but he employed hands enough to work it, and with ease, compared with many of his neighbors.
7 After learning how to calk, I sought my own employment, made my own contracts, and collected the money which I earned.
8 My treatment, while in his employment, was heavenly, compared with what I experienced at the hands of Mr. Edward Covey.
9 But it was by no means an easy employment; for in nothing was Colonel Lloyd more particular than in the management of his horses.
10 When in Mr. Gardner's employment, I was kept in such a perpetual whirl of excitement, I could think of nothing, scarcely, but my life; and in thinking of my life, I almost forgot my liberty.
11 Their reason for this, as alleged, was, that if free colored carpenters were encouraged, they would soon take the trade into their own hands, and poor white men would be thrown out of employment.
12 These were raised in great abundance; so that, with the products of this and the other farms belonging to him, he was able to keep in almost constant employment a large sloop, in carrying them to market at Baltimore.
13 The staid, sober, thinking and industrious ones of our number would employ themselves in making corn-brooms, mats, horse-collars, and baskets; and another class of us would spend the time in hunting opossums, hares, and coons.
14 When I got through with that job, I went in pursuit of a job of calking; but such was the strength of prejudice against color, among the white calkers, that they refused to work with me, and of course I could get no employment.
15 During the week, I had entered into an engagement with a number of young friends to start from Baltimore to the camp ground early Saturday evening; and being detained by my employer, I was unable to get down to Master Hugh's without disappointing the company.
16 Early on Monday morning, before Master Hugh had time to make any engagement for me, I went out and got employment of Mr. Butler, at his ship-yard near the drawbridge, upon what is called the City Block, thus making it unnecessary for him to seek employment for me.