"Ef you ever get sick, call on me.

No matter what ails you, I is de man dat can cure you in no time.

If you do hab de backache, de rheumaties, de headache, de coller morbus, fits, er any ting else, Sam is de gentleman dat can put you on your feet wid his pills." For a long time after, Sam did little else than boast of his skill as a doctor.
We have said that the black doctor was full of wit and good sense.
Indeed, in that respect, he had scarcely an equal in the neighborhood.
Although his master resided some little distance out of the city, Sam was always the first man in all the negro balls and parties in town.
When his master could give him a pass, he went, and when he did not 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 appearance that his heart desired, but his ready wit ever helped him in this.