Clotelle: A Tale of the Southern States

imself. If a dinner-party was in contemplation, or any company was to be invited, after all the arrangements had been talked over by the minister and his daughter. Sam was sure to be consulted on,

en, and was master of the ceremonies. A single look from him was enough to silence any con

rer the negro or mulatto approaches to the white, the more he seems to feel his superiority over those of a darker hue. Th

to be well understood, and, owing to that fact, was considered a prodigy, not only among his own master's slaves, but also among those of the town who kn

as a great misfortune; but he endeavored to make up for it in dress. Mr. Wilson kept his house servants well dressed, and as

the coachman, Peter, and Hetty made up the remainder of the house-servants. Besides these, Mr. Wilson owned eight slaves who

ers, had taken their seats at the table in the kitchen. Sam, being a "single gentleman," was unusually 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

last Sunday night," said Sam,

ied half a d

me I's to hab de prettiest yallah ga

turned toward Sally Johnso

ebody blush at dat

dis way, Mr. Alf, and none ob yo

nes, "dat Dorcas Simpson

nt to know?"

rby's field-hands

ar way," said Sally; "She's good lookin' 'nough to git a

ur judgment werry much, I 'sures you. Dar's plenty ob susceptible an' well-dressed h

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 to call on the doctor when ill,-he put Sam to bleeding, pulling teeth, and administering medicine to the s

and pulled away for dear life. Unfortunately, he had got hold of the wrong tooth, and the poor man screamed as loud as he could; but it was to no purpose, for Sam had him fast, and after a pretty sever

dered indispensable by the "old boss," and as a

hted him beyond measure, for although he had been acting his part in the way of giving out medicine as the master ordered it, he had never been called upon by the latter to examine a patient, and this seemed to convince him after

e matter

s si

is yo

man, putting his h

tongue," conti

t his tongue a

taking his patient's hand in his, and pla

o something for you, and dat pretty quick

and inquired what was the matter wi

ur case is a bad on

o his master's bedsi

o you think is the

out ob order,

ink had better

him and gib him a dose

tification, the master

og him, and being afraid to inform his superior of the mistake, he resolved to make the whole batch of pill and ointment stuff into pills. He well knew that the powder over the pills would hide the inside, and the fact that most person

kill or cure; but he was willing that it should be tried. At last the young doctor had his vanity gratified. Col. Tallen,

said the colonel;

f his patient. After a little consultation, the doctor returned to his o

night," said the doctor, "and if you

undertone, when he heard his master t

about a fortnight after the colonel's visit Sam saw his master's patient riding up to th

re you

the patient. "Those pills of your

would," rejoi

ghted beyond description. The negro immediately ran into t

r wid you?" in

ails you, I is de man dat can cure you in no time. If you do hab de backache, de rheumaties, de headache,

did little else than boas

t give him one, he would steal away after his master had retired, and run the risk of being taken up by the night-watch. Of course, the master never knew anything of the absence of the servant at night without permission. As the negroes at these parties tried to excel each other in the way of dress, Sam was often at a loss to make that appea

master's. So, dressing himself in the doctor's clothes even to his boots and hat, off the negro started for the city. Being well acquainted with the us

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 mike 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

and where was you last night whe

. I 'spose I was a

s 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 en

anions that evening in Mr. Wilson's kitchen all his