Some years since, a gentleman, who was the possessor of considerable
property, from various causes became embarrassed in his circumstances
and was arrested by his creditors, and confined in the king's bench
prison; whence there was no probability of his being liberated, unless
some law proceedings (upon his succeeding in which the recovery of a
great part of his property depended) were decided in his favor.
Thus situated, he called a colored man who had for many years served
him with the greatest faithfulness, and said, "Robert, you have lived
with me many years, but I am now unable to maintain you any longer; you
must leave me, and endeavor to find another master."
The poor man, well remembering his master's kindness, replied, "No,
massa, me no leave you; you maintain me many years, me now try what
I can do for you." Robert then went and procured employment as a day
laborer, and regularly brought his earnings to his master; on which,
though small, they managed to subsist for some time, until the law-suit
was decided in the master's favor, and he thereby regained possession
of a very considerable property.
Mindful of his faithful servant, one of his first acts was to settle an
annuity upon him for the remainder of his life, sufficient to secure
to the poor fellow the enjoyment of those comforts he had so well
deserved. This little anecdote may afford instruction both to the
nominal and professing Christian: let the former inquire, Should I have
acted thus, if in a similar situation?