Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-10

the new turnpike. All that remains OF 1t
now Is two chimneys, which will be soon
torn down. Besides the site of this build
ing there still stands an old dwelling,
whose history runs back into the early CEN
turies of the white settlements near Wash
irgtor. IL is said. by old inhabitants, that
this building was used as toll house In
early days, but toll roads did not then
exist, as all the public thoroughfares were
made in that neighborhood by the public
authorities. and were supported at the pub
lie cost
1t may, however, have been used as toll
house for short time, after the construc-
ton of the Little River turnpike road
These houses. and their neghbor, Cats
Tavern, were, however. a country center
for more than century. and here took
place the annual hiring of slaves for the
counties of the neighborhood.
This hiring always occurred upon the list
of January, when the negro slaves were In
the midst of the Christmas holiday, which
began the day after Christmas, and con-
tinued until old Christmas. the sixth day
of January This gave the negroes who
were to be hired out from year to year
about ten days holiday between leaving
their old homes and going to their new
ones Hiring day was always =, -.otable
occasion at West End.
The Last Hiring Day.
From notes taken on the spot at the last
hiring day. January 1. 1861. the following
sketch of the scene there at that time was
prepared.
1t was a not unpleasant winter day; the
crowd. which was about 900 in number.
fve-sixths being cclored people. commence
ed to gather on the roads and neighbor-
hood CT Cats Tavern and In front of the
building, a cut Of which accompanies this
article. about O'Clock in the morning.
Very soon there was unloaded from several
score of wagons and carts the materials
for what might have been called a hiring
day picnic
Vendors. nearly all colored people, estab-
lished a little market extending several
rods along the road and offered for sale
domestic and foreign products, which
might tempt tho appetite or fancy Of the
crowd and not be beyond the contents of
their pcckets-cakes, pies, candies, fruits
nuts and gimcracks, with buckets of oys-
tiers and baskets of two three kinds Of
small beer. mainly persimmon beer. were
ranged for sale. in a rough way on i'm
prIvised tables. or upon blue and white
ground.
Before noon the business was we'll under
way. To the hirers. which comprehended
nearly all the crowd which were not to be
hired. it was a mere business transaction
The colored people had long grown to be
used to it, and the occasion, with one single
exception. hereafter TO be noted, seemed
to be enc of festivity.
Some Typical Conversations.
Open ears caught conversations among
the colcred people which may be reported
almost verbatim in this wise:
rs yo' hirin' good?"
oh. yes. Poheek naborhood: Use been
dar befo'. with no great air of satisfaction
oh. deys too many common people down
Car TO me- and the questioner turned of
with an air of contempt for his brother
going to Pohick.
a short distance away from the las,
group larger crowd had gathered around
an active. 1.-THE and bright-looking coloret
boy. who patted juba with his hands AND
feet, and had secured board to stand on
TO render his music more classic. He sang
Ole man. ole man. let me hab yo darter:
Hurry up, young man, L know what 70
arter.
Bundle up yo 'cloes. TUX er up benin yo'
An yo' buy a cowhide TO to mex her min
The gallant that had come after the "ol,
mans darter'' is evidently supposed to b.
mounted, and after several rigmarolt
verses 1t was narrated in rhyme that h
procured the cowhde suggested, blu
the bride jerked 1t from his hand and use,
1t on the horse, which ran off and spille,
them both in the branch. This mino
opera seemed to be very taking with tn
crowd.
A little further down the road interroga
items and answers went on in anothe
group
"Whar yo' go?"
Why. honey. Use gwine to keep my oil
place Missis Is takin' a-likin to this darky
TO l does ali de dribin' and de waitin'; al
de wood-cuttin and de ploughfn' and d
harrowin. and de plantin' and de mowir
and de cradlin', on de place"
Does yo' do de washin' and cookin' %
Go way, niggah; Use oberseer. too"
A Group of Strangers.
On in a corner there gathered group G
six or seven colored people. who were o
their way from Maryland, south, and ha
Teen brought up from Bruins negro jail
few rods nearer the Stone bridge thei
owner being willing to take the chance G
hiring them If he could get good prices
They were strangers to all the other Nc
groes and seemed very solemn in the mids
of jolEty; they were well clothed and Iacke
no physical comfort Nobody seemed an1
iou5 TO hire them, and the only expressio
which the writer heard from them durin
the day was plaintive hymn, which began
TO when shall / my sorrows show,
AND pour out my complaint"
While their hymn of lamentation wa
going up. another crowd of negro men an