With help from my friendly community my house has finally been constructed. My tanning work is so much easier now. This is due to having more advanced tools, but also having a storage barn. The storage barn lets me keep a lump sum of hides on hand. This way, whenever there is a customer, I have the perfect hide for them.

I have noticed that Celyndia has been having a tough time at school because of the color of her skin. Even though my family is well respected, we are constantly reminded that the white man is still better than us.

The town has established a new way to deal with poor families. Every week they auction off the poor children to different families, so that they can be better cared for.

I decided to buy a young sickly woman’s freedom. I can not stand to see young black souls die in slavery. Celyndia took it pretty hard when she passed, so I told her my reasoning for what I did.

Today I ran into an old friend, and he told me that he was about to be run out of town. He asked me for one favor, and I told him I would do whatever it was. He informed me that his child meant more to him than life, he wanted me to give his child a safe home. The papers were signed the next day, And Charlie became part of the Fortune family. Charlie became my apprentice as well.

I am beginning to reach the end of my years. I have thoroughly thought out my will, and have decided to give most of my fortune to my wife Violet. This is because this woman has been there for me since we first met. I will be giving one hundred dollars to the church, and two hundred to the school. This will most likely be the last time I will be writing so goodbye.