The Garies and Their Friends | Page 6

caused
George's services to be required at the office for a few days, as
errand-boy. Here he made himself so useful as to induce Mr. Moyese to
keep him there permanently. After this he went through all the grades
from errand-boy up to chief-clerk, which post he filled to the full
satisfaction of his employer. His manners and person improved with his
circumstances; and at the time he occupied the chief-clerk's desk, no
one would have suspected him to be a slave, and few who did not know
his history would have dreamed that he had a drop of African blood in
his veins. He was unremitting in his attention to the duties of his station,
and gained, by his assiduity and amiable deportment, the highest regard
of his employer.
A week before a certain New-year's-day, Mr. Moyese sat musing over
some presents that had just been sent home, and which he was on the
morrow to distribute amongst his nephews and nieces. "Why, bless
me!" he suddenly exclaimed, turning them over, "why, I've entirely
forgotten George! That will never do; I must get something for him.
What shall it be? He has a fine watch, and I gave him a pin and ring last
year. I really don't know what will be suitable," and he sat for some
time rubbing his chin, apparently in deep deliberation. "Yes, I'll do it!"
he exclaimed, starting up; "I'll do it! He has been a faithful fellow, and
deserves it. I'll make him a present of himself! Now, how strange it is I
never thought of that before--it's just the thing;--how surprised and
delighted he will be!" and the old gentleman laughed a low, gentle,

happy laugh, that had in it so little of selfish pleasure, that had you only
heard him you must have loved him for it.
Having made up his mind to surprise George in this agreeable manner,
Mr. Moyese immediately wrote a note, which he despatched to his
lawyers, Messrs. Ketchum and Lee, desiring them to make out a set of
free papers for his boy George, and to have them ready for delivery on
the morrow, as it was his custom to give his presents two or three days
in advance of the coming year.
The note found Mr. Ketchum deep in a disputed will case, upon the
decision of which depended the freedom of some half-dozen slaves,
who had been emancipated by the will of their late master; by which
piece of posthumous benevolence his heirs had been greatly irritated,
and were in consequence endeavouring to prove him insane.
"Look at that, Lee," said he, tossing the note to his partner; "if that old
Moyese isn't the most curious specimen of humanity in all New
Orleans! He is going to give away clear fifteen hundred dollars as a
New-year's gift!"
"To whom?" asked Mr. Lee.
"He has sent me orders," replied Mr. Ketchum, "to make out a set of
free papers for his boy George."
"Well, I can't say that I see so much in that," said Lee; "how can he
expect to keep him? George is almost as white as you or I, and has the
manners and appearance of a gentleman. He might walk off any day
without the least fear of detection."
"Very true," rejoined Ketchum, "but I don't think he would do it. He is
very much attached to the old gentleman, and no doubt would remain
with him as long as the old man lives. But I rather think the heirs would
have to whistle for him after Moyese was put under ground. However,"
concluded Mr. Ketchum, "they won't have much opportunity to dispute
the matter, as he will be a free man, no doubt, before he is forty-eight
hours older."
A day or two after this, Mr. Moyese entertained all his nephews and
nieces at dinner, and each was gratified with some appropriate gift. The
old man sat happily regarding the group that crowded round him, their
faces beaming with delight. The claim for the seat of honour on Uncle
Moyese's knee was clamorously disputed, and the old gentleman was
endeavouring to settle it to the satisfaction of all parties, when a servant

entered, and delivered a portentous-looking document, tied with red
tape. "Oh, the papers--now, my dears, let uncle go. Gustave, let go your
hold of my leg, or I can't get up. Amy, ring the bell, dear." This
operation Mr. Moyese was obliged to lift her into the chair to effect,
where she remained tugging at the bell-rope until she was lifted out
again by the servant, who came running in great haste to answer a
summons of such unusual vigour.
"Tell George I want him," said Mr. Moyese.
"He's gone down to the office; I hearn him say suffin bout