tormy night, when the rain was descending in
torrents, the doctor heard a rap at his door. It was customary with him,
when called up at night to visit a patient, to ring for Sam. But this
time, the servant was nowhere to be found. The doctor struck a light and
looked for clothes; they, too, were gone. It was twelve o'clock, and
the doctor's clothes, hat, boots, and even his watch, were nowhere to be
found. Here was a pretty dilemma for a doctor to be in. It was some time
before the physician could fit himself out so as to make the visit. At
last, however, he started with one of the farm-horses, for Sam had taken
the doctor's best saddle-horse. The doctor felt sure that the negro had
robbed him, and was on his way to Canada; but in this he was mistaken.
Sam had gone to the city to attend a ball, and had decked himself out in
his master's best suit. The physician returned before morning, and again
retired to bed but with little hope of sleep, for his thoughts were with
his servant and horse. At six o'clock, in walked Sam with his master's
clothes, and the boots neatly blacked. The watch was placed on the
shelf, and the hat in its place. Sam had not met any of the servants,
and was therefore entirely ignorant of what had occurred during his
absence.

"What have you been about, sir, and where was you last night when I was
called?" asked the doctor.

"I don't know, sir. I 'spose I was asleep," replied Sam.

But the doctor was not to be so easily satisfied, after having been put
to so much trouble in hunting up another suit without the aid of Sam.
After breakfast, Sam was taken into the barn, tied up, and severely
flogged with the cat, which brought from him the truth concerning
his absence the previous night. This forever put an end to his fine
appearance at the negro parties. Had not the doctor been one of the most
indulgent of masters, he would not have escaped with merely a severe
whipping.

As a matter of course, Sam had to relate to his companions that evening
in Mr. Wilson's kitchen all his adventures as a physician while with his
old master.

CHAPTER IX. THE MAN OF HONOR

AUGUSTINE CARDINAY, the purchaser of Marion, was from the Green
Mountains of Vermont, and his feelings were opposed to the holding of
slaves; but his young wife persuaded him into the idea that it was no
worse to own a slave than to hire one and pay the money to another.
Hence it was that he had been induced to purchase Marion.

Adol