Page:Negro servant (1).pdf/2

 THE

NEGRO SERVANT.

PART I. DURING a residence of some years continuance in the neighbourhood of the sea, an Officer in the Navy called upon the Writer, and stated, that he had just taken lodging in the parish for his wife and children; and that he had a Negro whom he had kept three years his service. ‘ The lad is a handy fellow,' said the Officer, ‘ and he has a great desire to be baptized; have promised to ask you to do it for him, if you have not any objection.' 'Does he know any thing' I replied, ‘ of the principles of the Christian religion ?’ ' O yes, I am sure he does,' replied 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 fel low 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 may go through a course of instruction and examination; during which I shall be able to form a ment, how far it will be right to admit him to; ment of baptism. Can he read ?' replied his Master;'he has been taking great arn to read for some time past, and can