... To the Christmas holidays, the slaves were greatly indebted for winter recreation; for long custom had given to them the whole week from Christmas day to the coming in of the New Year.

         On "Poplar Farm," the hands drew their share of clothing on Christmas day for the year. The clothing for both men and women was made up by women kept for general sewing and housework. One pair of pants, and two shirts, made the entire stock for a male field hand.
Page 96

         The women's garments were manufactured from the same goods that the men received. Many of the men worked at night for themselves, making splint and corn brooms, baskets, shuck mats, and axe-handles, which they would sell in the city during Christmas week. Each slave was furnished with a pass, something like the following:--

       "Please let my boy, Jim, pass anywhere in this county, until Jan. 1, 1834, and oblige

Respectfully,

"JOHN GAINES, M.D.
" 'Poplar Farm,' St. Louis County, Mo."

         With the above precious document in his pocket, a load of baskets, brooms, mats, and axe-handles on his back, a bag hanging across his shoulders, with a jug in each end,--one for the whiskey, and the other for the molasses,--the slaves trudged off to town at night, singing,--


                         "Hurra, for good ole massa,
                         He give me de pass to go to de city.
                         Hurra, for good ole missis,
                         She bile de pot, and giv me de licker.
                         Hurra, I'm goin to de city."


                         "When de sun rise in de mornin',
                         Jes' above de yaller corn,
                         You'll fin' dis nigger has take warnin',
                         An's gone when de driver blows his horn.


                         Hurra, for good ole massa,
                         He giv me de pass to go to de city.
                         Hurra for good ole missis,
                         She bile de pot, and give me de licker.
                         Hurra, I'm goin to de city."
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         Both the Methodists and Baptists,--the religious denominations to which the blacks generally belong,--never fail to be in the midst of a revival meeting during the holidays, and, most of the slaves from the country hasten to these gatherings. Some, however, spend their time at the dances, raffles, cock-fights, foot-races, and other amusements that present themselves.