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.