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I have given in detail facts and incidents as evidence of Jo Norton’s industry, thrift and honesty. He was a serious, devoted Christian, yet his wit and mirthfulness were often exhibited in keen repartee, and sarcastic answers to persons who sought opportunity to embarrass him while speaking. There were, even then, men of copperhead proclivities, some of whom would occasionally interrupt him, but I never knew one to try it the second time. He was once asked if he worked hard when he was a slave? “No!” he replied, “I didn’t work hard when I could help it.”

“Did you have enough to eat?”

“Yes, such as it was.”

“Did you have decent clothes?”

“Yes, midlin’.”

“Well,” said the fellow, “you were better off than most people are here, and you were a fool to run away.”

“Well, now,” said Jo, “the place that I left is there yet, I suppose, guess nobody’s ever got into it, and if my friend here wants it, he can have it by asking for it, though perhaps he had better get his Member of Congress to recommend him.”