"
"Good gracious," exclaimed Sam in an undertone, when he heard his
master tell the colonel how to take the pills.
It was several days before Sam could learn the result of his new
medicine. One afternoon, about a fortnight after the colonel's
visit Sam saw his master's patient riding up to the gate on
horseback. The doctor happened to be in the yard, and met the
colonel and said,--
"How are you now?"
"I am entirely recovered," replied the patient. "Those pills of
yours put me on my feet the next day."
"I knew they would," rejoined the doctor.
Sam was near enough to hear the conversation, and was delighted
beyond description. The negro immediately ran into the kitchen,
amongst his companions, and commenced dancing.
"What de matter wid you?" inquired the cook.
"I is de greatest doctor in dis country," replied Sam. "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.
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