ome here if she is inclined to do so. As
you have never seen her, I may say that she is regarded as dark for an
octoroon, and with her presence no explanation will be necessary. But
ought I to wait for that? She may not choose to come. How can I best be
an honest man? It seems silly, and it would be ridiculous, to give out
generally here as a matter for the public that I am the son of a negro
woman. Yet I think it must come to that in some way. What shall I do?"

This letter caused me to think of Anthony and his trouble much more
seriously than before. It was clear to me why he was popular. I had
never met any young man who was by nature more sympathetic and
attractive. The reserve and sadness which had recently come upon him
were not to his disadvantage socially. They rather tended to gain
attention and win the kindness of strangers. The question which his
position presented, and about which he desired my counsel, troubled me.
But, fortunately, after thinking of it almost constantly for two days, I
gave him advice which I still think correct under the circumstances. I
argued that he was not under any obligation to advertise himself to the
public as a colored man. The public did not expect or require this of
any one. But I urged that if he made any special friends among those who
entertained him socially and with whom he was intimate, he should
frankly make known to them the facts in regard to his family. I thought
this would be expected, and I was convinced that such a presentation of
his position, made without affectation, would win for him respect even
from those who might cease to court his society. I further urged that he
ought not, as a teacher, to isolate himself or shun those relations with
families which would place upon him the obligation to make known his
parentage.

Anthony sent a brief note in reply to my letter, thanking me heartily
for what he termed my convincing statement, and expressing his
determination to act in accordance with it.

Nearly two months passed, and then my friend communicated the further
fact that he had gone so far, in several instances, and with several
families, as to carry out the suggestions I had made. He thought it was
too soon to assert what the ultimate result would be, but stated the
immediate effects so far as he could see them. When he first made the
announcement in regard to his color, many had disbelieved it. When his
persistent and repeated declarations upon various occ