CHARACTERS. 
Interesting} Account of an Indented 
Servant. From. Eddis’s Letters 
Srom America. 
. GENTLEMAN of consider- 
&X able influence and fortune, 
parchased a servant as an assistant 
to his gardener; having been pre- 
viously informed that he had origi- 
nally acted in that capacity, and was 
qualified for the undertaking. The 
man, soon after he was brought on 
shore, received instructions to enter 
on his business; when it was im- 
mediately discovered that he was 
wholly unaquainted with the nature 
of hisemployment. On being in- 
terrogated relative to this deception, 
he-acquainted his master, that ‘‘ ex- 
treme indigence induced him to 
abandon his native country ;—that 
in the course of the voyage, having. 
intimated that he had not been 
brought up to any mechanical pro- 
fession, he was informed by’ the 
captain, it was absolutely necessary 
he should avow some particular 
calling, in order to secure a more 
comfortable situation; that in Ame- 
rica, a. competent skill] in gardening 
was easily attainable, and seldom re- 
quired the exertion of greater talents 
than what were immediately essen- 
tial for domestic purposes : and that 
by engaging in such employment, he 
might avoid a more laborious ser- 
vitude, under the discipline of some 
rigid and inflexible planter.” 
This declaration was delivered in 
terms so apparently consistent with 
truth, as obtained entire credit with 
his master, who, from his deport- 
ment and exterior, was likewise 
induced to form sentiments much 
to his advantage; he therefore de- 
termined to receive him into his 
family, in the capacity of a domestic, 
367 
and to give him that encourage- 
ment to which he might be entit- 
led by the propriety of his future 
conduct. 
Every sentiment of gratitude ap- 
peared to operate on the mind of 
the servant, when he found himself 
destined to a station more comfort- 
able than his original allotment ; 
and, for some time, the whole tenor 
of his actions was such as might 
shew that he highly merited the 
indulgence which he had so unex- 
pectedly obtained. 
For a tew mosths, his diligence 
and attention secured him the entire 
approbation of his master; and he 
was continually gaining ground on 
his confidence and esteem. It was, 
therefore, with the utmost concern 
that bis benefactor began to observe 
an appearance of discontent, a 
disregard to the duties of his sta- 
tion, and an evident alteration in 
every particular. Remonstrances 
and threats were equally meffectual : 
his disposition became sullen and 
reserved; while he obstinately re- 
fused to assign any cause for such 
an obvious change in his conduct. 
At length he quitted the house of 
his benevolent employer, and by 
travelling in the night, and lying 
concealed in the day, he took the 
proper precautions to elude the vi- 
gilance of pursuit. 
His plan, though well concerted, 
was, nevertheless, ineffectual. In 
a few days he was discovered, al- 
most famished, Necessity com- 
pelled him to supplicate the aid of 
charity; his story was equivocal, and 
excited suspicion; heobtained relief, 
but with the detention of his person. 
A magistrate, before whom he was 
conveyed, threatened him with con- 
finement and rigorous treatment, 
unless 
