The invalid merchant finding himself, by a long illness, involved in pecuniary embarrassments, which he had but little foreseen or provided against, in order to extricate himself in some degree from such difficulties, was under the painful necessity of parting with Robert. The tale of the merchant's unhappy situation reached the ear of her who ever befriended the distressed; and, with her charitable offerings of assistance to himself, she became also the protector of the orphan negro, by engaging him in her service.
No sooner was this humane act accomplished, and Robert had become an inmate of the house, than an inconvenience arose, on account of the antipathy of the General for those swarthy beings transported from the arid soil of Africa. The only expedient the benefactress of Robert could devise, was, to tell him he was to consider himself as the servant of her son; and, in consequence, needed not present himself before the General, unless called for. By behaving well, and attaching himself to her son, he might become his future valet. The sensibility of heart, which Robert could not help manifesting, on quitting his last master, endeared him as much to his mistress, as his readiness to oblige and good-natured manners had done with the rest of the household; and each partaking in
