Tobe is, in the opinion of one who has taught the novel for so long, one of the most enigmatic and fascinating characters William Faulkner has ever gifted his readers. It because of the minimalism used to treat the character that the interest piques to such high levels. In terms of description and history, the avid Faulkner reader, or those who are drawn to this particular story, want to learn more about this man, and even compile as much as possible to create the story of his life.
One of the best reference articles for Tobe is Miko Shiroma's "A Rose for Tobe: A New View of Faulkner's First Short Stories". Shiroma argues several possible truths about Tobe. First, that Tobe and Emily are, likely contemporaries. They were both born in the 1860's, meaning that they are quite close to one another in age. They may have bonded without blurring the master and servant likes (as far as the reader knows).
Other things known about Tobe are as follow. According to a longer typescript of Faulkner's that was rejected prior to the final publication of "A Rose for Emily", Tobe, as we can expect, was quite knowledgeable of what was going on upstairs in the Grierson house. In fact, there is a long passage detailing a conversation between Tobe and Emily, where he wonders what will happen upon her death when everyone finds out what is lurking in the room upstairs. This being established, we now can conclude two things:
First, Emily and Tobe were together in the big secret. Second, they were dependent on each other for secrecy, companionship, and to be each other's allies fighting against the claws of the futuristic machinery that is ending with the Jefferson County that they both once knew.
Loyalty
All this established, let's extrapolate the reason why Tobe is loyal. The reasons exposed previously, note that Emily and Tobe were inevitably bound to stay together. However, Shiroma and other scholars expand on their relationship by offering the following historical note.
Tobe's family was, more than likely, at the service of the Griersons at around the time Tobe was born. He must have grown as a slave since his birth in the Grierson's household and, perhaps, may have even become friendly with Emily. This is very possible. Notice that Emily is not shy in the presence of men, as a rule. She only avoided them when her father would shun her away from them. Yet, Emily is straightforward with Sartoris, with the priest, and with her immediate society while she is dating Homer. In other words, Emily is no shy violet. That she and Tobe were likely to have formed some sort of strong alliance since their youth is highly likely. It has to be, or else how can you justify their mutual tolerance for decades even after slavery has been abolished?
Tobe's escape
The potential reasons why Tobe left right away after Emily died are, in contrast, a lot more sinister than the reasons why he was loyal and stayed with her until the end.
Let's go back to that alliance that Emily and Tobe must have formed in order to co-exist in harmony for over 40 years in the same house. Tobe is aware of what is going on and, according to some scholars, may have been an accessory to the murder of Homer Barron. Given that Faulkner had already conceded this in his original manuscript, the most logical conclusion is the following: Tobe had to run, regardless!
Who, but Tobe, could have been questioned as to what took place in the room? Who, but Tobe, has the answers to every question as to what has taken place in that house for the time that it has been sealed to the public?
Therefore, Tobe did his part. He served lifelong friend. He took care of her, and she was kind enough to allow him to have something to live with. His participation in the murder, or the concealment of the murder, of Homer would have gotten him in tremendous trouble. Therefore Tobe, and anyone else remotely connected to a case of this magnitude, would have more than likely, done the same, exact thing.
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