Amos Fortune, Free Man

On his new property, Fortune builds a new house and uses his growing wealth to acquire more goods for his family. He also buys a new horse, so that old Cyclops can rest, as well as other livestock. As Fortune’s reputation grows, people come from far and wide to use his tanning services. By then, he also has the Burdoo boys working for him and an apprentice named Simon Peter. When customers send letters asking Fortune to make exceptions and loan them money or skins, Fortune gladly agrees because he has plenty of money. When his tanning business slows in the winter, Fortune spends much of his time in the town library reading books. He is always informed about current events because he reads the newspaper as well. While his successful business, his intelligence, and his age have earned him great respect, he knows that his achievements don’t guarantee his family’s safety after he dies. Celyndia is 16 now and sometimes feels out of place with her many white friends from school. Violet insists Celyndia continue going to school and she does though she is most comfortable at home by the loom. 

Despite Fortune’s success, he still feels concerned for the less fortunate, like Lois Burdoo who has started receiving charity from the townspeople again.