“Sit down, will you,” he said; and before uncle Wellington could collect himself, he was seated between the two white women.  Everybody in the car seemed to be looking at him.  But he came to the conclusion, after he had pulled himself together and reflected a few moments, that he would find this method of locomotion pleasanter when he got used to it, and then he could score one more glorious privilege gained by his change of residence.

They got off at the public square, in the heart of the city, where there were flowers and statues, and fountains playing.  Mr. Johnson pointed out the court-house, the post-office, the jail, and other public buildings fronting on the square.  They visited the market near by, and from an elevated point, looked down upon the extensive lumber yards and factories that were the chief sources of the city’s prosperity.  Beyond these they could see the fleet of ships that lined the coal and iron ore docks of the harbor.  Mr. Johnson, who was quite a fluent talker, enlarged upon the wealth and prosperity of the city; and Wellington, who had never before been in a town of more than three thousand inhabitants, manifested sufficient interest and wonder to satisfy the most exacting cicerone.  They called at the office of a colored lawyer and member of the legislature, formerly from North Carolina, who, scenting a new constituent and a possible client, greeted the stranger warmly, and in flowing speech pointed out the superior advantages of life at the North, citing himself as an illustration of the possibilities of life in a country really free.  As they wended their way homeward to dinner uncle Wellington, with quickened pulse and rising hopes, felt that this was indeed the promised land, and that it must be flowing with milk and honey.

Uncle Wellington remained at the residence of Mr. Johnson for several weeks before making any effort to find employment.  He spent this period in looking about the city.  The most commonplace things possessed for him the charm of novelty, and he had come prepared to admire.  Shortly after his arrival, he had offered to pay for his board, intimating at the same time that he had plenty of money.  Mr. Johnson declined to accept anything from him for board, and expressed himself as being only too proud to have Mr. Braboy remain in the house on the footing of an honored guest, until he had settled himself.  He lightened in some degree, however, the burden of obligation under which a prolonged stay on these terms would have placed his guest, by soliciting from the latter occasional small loans, until uncle Wellington’s roll of money began to lose its plumpness, and with an empty pocket staring him in the face, he felt the necessity of finding something to do.