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<p class='caption'><span class='it'>Isaac Mason.</span></p>
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<p class='line0' style='margin-top:4em;font-size:1.5em;'><span class='gesp'>LIFE OF</span></p>
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<p class='line0' style='font-size:2em;'>ISAAC MASON</p>
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<p class='line0' style='font-size:1.2em;'><span class='gesp'>AS A SLAVE</span>.</p>
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<p class='line0' style='margin-top:8em;font-size:.8em;'>WORCESTER, MASS.</p>
<p class='line0' style='font-size:.8em;'>1893.</p>
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<p class='toch'>Table of Contents</p>
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<p class='toc'><SPAN href='#t112'>1. Earliest Recollections.</SPAN></p>
<p class='toc' style='margin-left: 2em'><SPAN href='#t114'></SPAN></p>
<p class='toc'><SPAN href='#t425'>2. In a New Home.</SPAN></p>
<p class='toc' style='margin-left: 2em'><SPAN href='#t427'></SPAN></p>
<p class='toc'><SPAN href='#t972'>3. Escape from Slavery.</SPAN></p>
<p class='toc' style='margin-left: 2em'><SPAN href='#t974'></SPAN></p>
<p class='toc'><SPAN href='#t1308'>4. In the Land of Freedom.</SPAN></p>
<p class='toc' style='margin-left: 2em'><SPAN href='#t1310'></SPAN></p>
<p class='toc'><SPAN href='#t1944'>5. A Flying Visit to Hayti.</SPAN></p>
<p class='toc' style='margin-left: 2em'><SPAN href='#t1946'></SPAN></p>
<p class='toc'><SPAN href='#t2186'></SPAN></p>
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<p class='line0' style='margin-top:6em;text-align:right;margin-right:2em;margin-bottom:1.5em;'><span class='sc'>Worcester, Mass., July 19, 1893.</span></p>
<p class='pindent'>I have known Isaac Mason very well since 1850. He
has done a great deal of work for me and my household. I
know him to be an honest, faithful and intelligent man. I
have not had time to examine his book in manuscript, but I
am sure his statements may be trusted, and that his experience
will prove very interesting. I hope his book will have a
good sale, and commend it to the public.</p>
<p class='line0' style='margin-top:1.5em;text-align:right;margin-right:2em;'><span class='sc'>Geo. F. Hoar.</span></p>
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<p class='line0' style='text-align:center;margin-top:6em;font-size:1.5em;'>PREFACE.</p>
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<p class='pindent'>Having repeatedly been asked by my many friends to
write the history of my life as a slave, especially by some
who have heard me lecture on certain portions of that ever
memorable period of my life, I have, after some hesitation
as to its advisability, reluctantly concluded to accede to
their wishes, and now present to them a truthful sketch
of my eventful life in the dark days of slavery. As these
checkered scenes of my early life reflectively present themselves
to my mind at my advanced state of life, I wonder
how I withstood all the abuse and cruelty of these early
years. Our lives are largely composed of sorrow and joy,
but my cup, it seems to me, has been full to overflowing
with sorrow, but God has been my strength and my salvation,
and has brought me thus far in the journey of life, and in him
I trust, praying that, in his good time he will take me to
that heavenly home where our earthly trials will cease and
where there will be no more sorrow.</p>
<p class='pindent'>My story is told in a plain matter-of-fact way, and I hope
my readers will overlook and excuse the defects which must
necessarily abound throughout the book, owing to lack of
educational advantages.</p>
<p class='line0' style='margin-top:2em;text-align:right;margin-right:2em;'>ISAAC MASON.</p>
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<h1 id='t112'><span class='it'>CHAPTER I.</span></h1>
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