sually attentive to the "ladies" on
this occasion. He seldom let a day pass without spending an hour or two
in combing and brushing his "har." He had an idea that fresh butter
was better for his hair than any other kind of grease, and therefore on
churning days half a pound of butter had always to be taken out before
it was salted. When he wished to appear to great advantage, he would
grease his face to make it "shiny." Therefore, on the evening of the
party, when all the servants were at the table, Sam cut a big figure.
There he sat, with his wool well combed and buttered, face nicely
greased, and his ruffles extending five or six inches from his bosom.
The parson in his drawing-room did not make a more imposing appearance
than did his servant on this occasion.

"I jis bin had my fortune tole last Sunday night," said Sam, while
helping one of the girls.

"Indeed!" cried half a dozen voices.

"Yes," continued he; "Aunt Winny tole me I's to hab de prettiest yallah
gal in de town, and dat I's to be free!"

All eyes were immediately turned toward Sally Johnson, who was seated
near Sam.

"I 'specs I see somebody blush at dat remark," said Alfred.

"Pass dem pancakes an' 'lasses up dis way, Mr. Alf., and none ob your
'sinuwashuns here," rejoined Sam.

"Dat reminds me," said Agnes, "dat Dorcas Simpson is gwine to git
married."

"Who to, I want to know?" inquired Peter.

"To one of Mr. Darby's field-hands," answered Agnes.

"I should tink dat gal wouldn't frow herseff away in dat ar way," said
Sally. "She's good lookin' 'nough to git a house-servant, and not hab to
put up wid a field-nigger.

"Yes," said Sam, "dat's a werry unsensible remark ob yourn, Miss Sally.
I admires your judgment werry much, I 'sures you. Dar's plenty ob
susceptible an' well-dressed house-serbants dat a gal ob her looks can
git widout takin' up wid dem common darkies."

The evening's entertainment concluded by Sam's relating a little of his
own experience while with his first master, in old Kentucky. This master
was a doctor, and had a large practice among his neighbors, doctoring
both masters and slaves. When Sam was about fifteen years old, his
master set him to grinding up ointment and making pills. As the young
student grew older and became more practised in his profession, his
services were of more importance to the doctor. The physician having
a good business, and a large number of his patients being slaves,--the
most of whom had t