When the business was concluded, he invited his former master and Friend Hopper to dine with him; saying, “We are going to have a pretty good dinner, in honor of the day.”  Mr. Boots accepted the invitation; but Friend Hopper excused himself, on account of an engagement that would detain him till after dinner.  When he called, he found they had not yet risen from the table, on which were the remains of a roasted turkey, a variety of vegetables, and a decanter of wine.  Friend Hopper smiled when Daniel remarked, “I know master Perry loves a little brandy; but I did not like to get brandy; so I bought a quart of Mr. Morris’ best wine, and thought perhaps that would do instead.  I never drink anything but water myself.”

Soon after Daniel Benson became a free man, he gave up sawing wood, and opened a shop for the sale of second-hand clothing.  He was successful in business, brought up his family very reputably, and supported his mother comfortably to the end of her days.  For many years, he was class-leader in a Methodist church for colored people, and his correct deportment gained the respect of all who knew him.

If slavery were ever justifiable, under any circumstances, which of these two characters ought to have been the master, and which the slave?

THE QUICK-WITTED SLAVE.

About the year 1805, a colored man, who belonged to Colonel Hopper, of Maryland, escaped with his wife and children, who were also slaves.  He went to Philadelphia and hired a small house in Green’s Court, where he lived several months before his master discovered his retreat.  As soon as he obtained tidings of him, he went to Philadelphia, and applied to Richard Hunt, a constable who was much employed as a slave hunter.  Having procured a warrant, they went together, in search of the fugitives.  It was about dusk, and the poor man just returned from daily toil, was sitting peacefully with his wife and children, when in rushed his old master, accompanied by the constable.

With extraordinary presence of mind, the colored man sprang up, and throwing his arms round his master’s neck, exclaimed, “O, my dear master, how glad I am to see you!  I thought I should like to be free; but I had a great deal rather be a slave.  I can’t get work, and we have almost starved.  I would have returned home, but I was afraid you would sell me to the Georgia men.  I beg your pardon a thousand times.  If you will only forgive me, I will go back with you, and never leave you again.”

The master was very agreeably surprised by this reception, and readily promised forgiveness.  He was about to dismiss the constable, but the slave urged him to stay a few minutes.  “I have earned a little money to-day, for a rarity,” said he; “and I want to go out and buy something to drink; for I suppose old master must be tired.”  He stepped out, and soon returned with a quantity