boy. Well, I can’t stop now to tell how I prospered and bought this farm, went to school—yes, went to school with children, and when I had been here the proper time I was naturalized, and supposed I was a Democrat and would vote their ticket. At the first election I attended, a man gave me a vote and said, ‘ you are a Democrat, of course, and here is another vote.’ I said, ‘what is that?’ and looking at it I saw it was something about the Constitution. He said it was to prevent negroes from voting if they had not real estate worth $250, and I said, ‘can’t Irishmen vote until they have real estate?’ ‘Oh, yes,’ said he, Hut the negroes are ignorant.’ Said I, ‘the first person that treated me kindly in this country was a black negro, was once a slave, and it took me five vears to learn what she knew then of books, and as to general information she was better informed than her white neighbors. Her son, Samuel R. Ward, was an educated gentleman, and I see no reason why he should not vote as well as I. No, sir,’ said I, if that is Democratic doctrine I can’t vote your ticket,’ and now I see the same party are at their old tricks. They tell you that black men will do all the work for nothing. It is not because men are black that they work for nothing, but because they are held in slavery. When all men become free citizens labor will command its value.”
“What do you say,” said Dennis, “shall I bring her here for a few days?” “Yes,” said Jimmy, “let her come, and may the holy Virgin forget me whin I’m in sorest need if I let a spalpeen of a Democrat hurt a hair of her head.”
She had been at Jimmy’s place but a short time when the rebels fired on our flag, after which Cassey went back and found her boy, and as fugitives were now safe in New Jersey she decided to remain with her Quaker friends.
