Page:Negro servant, an authentic and interesting narrative of a young Negro servant.pdf/2

 THE

NEGRO SERVANT.

PART I.

DURING a residence of some years continuance in the neighbourhood of the sea, au Officer in the Navy called upon the Writer, and stated that he had just taken a lodging the parish for his wife and children; and that he had a Negro, whom he had kept three years in his service. 'The lad is a handy fellow,' said the Officer, and he has a great desire to be baptized: I have promised him to ask you to do it for him, if you have not any objection.'

'Does he know any any thing, 'I replied,' of the principles of the Christian religion?'

'O yes, I am sure he does,' answered the Captain; 'for he talks a deal about it in the Kitchen, and often gets laughed at for his pains; but he takes it all very patiently.'

'Does he behave well as your servant?'

'Yes, that he does: he is as honest, and civil a fellow, as ever came aboard a ship, or lived in a house.'

'Was he always so well behaved?' 'No,' said the Officer; 'when I first had him he was often very unruly and deceitful: but for the last two years he has been quite another creature.'

'Well, Sir, I shall be very glad to see him, and think it probable, I shall wish to go through a course of instruction and examination; during which I shall be able to form a judgment, how far it may be right to admit him to the Sacrament of baptism. Can he read?' 'Yes,' replied his master; 'he has been taking great pains to learn to read for some time past, and can make out a chapter in the bible pretty well, as my maid ser-