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 appearance
that his heart desired, but his ready wit ever helped him in this. When
his master had retired to bed at night, it was the duty of Sam to put
out the lights, and take out with him his master's clothes and boots,
and leave them in the office until morning, and then black the boots,
brush the clothes, and return them to his master's room.

Having resolved to attend a dress-ball one night, without his master's
permission, and being perplexed for suitable garments, Sam determined
to take his 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 usual walk of the patrols he found no difficulty in
keeping out of their way. As might have been expected, Sam was the
great gun with the ladies that night.

The next morning, Sam was back home long before his master's time for
rising, and the clothes were put in their accustomed place. For a long
time Sam had no difficulty in attiring himself for parties; but the old
proverb that "It is a long lane that has no turning," was verified in
the negro's case. One stormy 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
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 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 clothe