These worked in the city. Being mechanics, they were
let out to greater advantage than to keep them on the farm.
Every Sunday evening, Mr. Wilson's servants, including the
bricklayers, assembled in the kitchen, where the events of the week
were fully discussed and commented upon. It was on a Sunday
evening, in the month of June, that there was a party at Mr.
Wilson's house, and, according to custom in the Southern States,
the ladies had their maidservants with them. Tea had been served
in "the house," and the servants, including the strangers, had
taken their seats at the table in the kitchen. Sam, being a
"single gentleman," was unusually attentive to the ladies on this
occasion. He seldom let a day pass without spending an hour or two
in combing and brushing his "har." He had an idea that fresh
butter was better for his hair than any other kind of grease, and
therefore on churning days half a pound of butter had always to be
taken out before it was salted. When he wished to appear to great
advantage, he would grease his face to make it "shiny." Therefore,
on the evening of the party, when all the servants were at the
table, Sam cut a big figure. There he sat, with his wool well
combed and buttered, face nicely greased, and his ruffles
extending five or six inches from his bosom. The parson in his
drawing-room did not make a more imposing appearance than did his
servant on this occasion.
"I is bin had my fortune tole last Sunday night," said Sam, while
helping one of the girls.
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