The morning times., 1895-09-29

frantic waving of the brush and loud baIlo-
ing was signal for cheers loud and long,
and when the black face disappeared again
the little crowd generally waited to give
another rousing cheer as the master and
sweep left the house.
1t was the duty of these superintendents
to visit every house within their district
once q month after giving two days notice,
and cause every chimney to be swept in
which fire was used. The quantity of
wood used as fuel accumulated much SCOT
and the danger of fire was obyiated by this
care.
The fees were 10 cents per story and
register once a month. The sweeps were
required to be deposited with. the city
register once a month. The swaps were
small boys, generally negroes, averaging
from seven to twelve years OF age, they
were 1.-the and agile as monkeys, and
seemed to enjoy the notoriety.
The tax-list is interesting-beginn
Male slaves, between 15 and z5, owned
by non-residents, So per annum.
Female slaves, between 8 and 45, owned
by non-residents, So per annum
Male slaves, between 1b and 1S, owned
by non-fesidents, So per annun.
Male slaves, over 18, owned by non
residents, So per annum.
Female slaves, over Is, owned by non
residents. So per annum.
The follows a tax list of vehicles, many
of them entirely unknown to the present
generation.
Regarding slaves, the law required every
colored person over five years of age to be
registered at the City Hall. Those who
were slaves were so enrolled, and those
who were born free, or liberated by
former owners, were required to produce
three reputable white witnesses to attest
the fact. They were separately recorded
and given a certificate to that effect. III
BY any misfortune this certificate were
were lost, or mislaid, 1t often led to arrest
or occasioned much trouble to the luck
less victim. New entries with descriptions
of slaves were made every five years In
many instances as a protective measure.
SLAVE PENS.
The history of the old days OF slavery
is replete with touches OF pathos. At the
triangle at the Intersection OF Seventh
street, Louisiana avenue, and nnsylvania
avenue, stood what was called the "Nigger
Pen," an open fence surrounded 1t and In
the center was block on which the slave
to be sold stood. An auctioneer ratified Off
his targon and the victim was knocked
down to the highest bidder. All were clad
in scantiest draperies and were subjected
to scrutiny, to ascertain beyond question
the true physical condition OF the pur-
chase.
The charter OF the city is given in full in
this little directory, scheduled rates OF
hack hire. Then comes the names of the var
ious banks and their officers. 1t is here also
that the prominent Washington names ap-
pear The Calverts, Brents, Old DR.. Fred
erick May, for years the most prominent
physician OF the city; the Blagdens and
Youngs. Then follow literary and benev-
olent institutions, the Georgetown College,
that in 1915 was raised by Congress to the
rank OF university. The old seminary
where so many of the best known men of the
city We're educated, and which stood ON the
north side OF + street, between Ninth and
Tenth The Orphan Asylum on Seventh
street west, between II and l north, OF
which Mrs. Van Ness was the first di-
rectress The old Washington Library, in
corporated in 1914, and ST. Johns Church
Sunday school.
The last few pages are devoted to ad-
vertisements that are maryels OF the en-
Cravers' skill. The first is OF BENJAMIN
Chambers, engraver, between Tenth
and Eleventh streets, on Pennsylvania
avenue, every line OF which is perfect.
Then follows that of seraphim Mast, for
many years the leading 1eweler of the city,
and those of C. H. Wiltberger and Robert
Keyworth, also jewelers..
No city In the world has been marked by
| such rapid evolutions as our own Federal
CITY. The fortunes of war eongregated
within its confines men from all over the
country, who quickly realized its vast pos
| sibllities. and they learned to "love, from
the dangers they had seen," the city oi
their adoption.
The thrifty money-makers OF the North
the breezy spectators from the West the
steady-going toilers of the East, all saw
golden opportunity; but the real pride
| of Washington is in the man from among
them, who sprang up and had the courage
to do and dare, and the energy to execute
| From the sleepy progress following the
| year that the little Directory first saw
the light, improvements came with lag
gard steps until into its chaotic slumber the
breath of life aroused the spirit of the
future, and beautiful city stands per
petual monument to the vaulting ideals al
| Alexander R. Shepherd.