The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-11-10
The Chocolate Vendors of San Fran.
cisco.


cisco.
Long after the shades of night have
fallen over the city, and the light from
the struggling gas-jets which municipal
thoughtfulnsss has provided at the
curbstone serves the belated pedestrian,
the monotonous cry OF the chocolate
yender hoarsely resounds through some
of the streets which are little frequent
ed by day, and only achieve their prom
inence at night. The chocolate vender
is by no means an ugly man to look at
his figure is good, and his face, decorat-
ed with a heavy moustache, is frank
and open. The white cooks cap sur
mounts his head, ard his large white
apron, caught at the chin and banded
at the waist reaches nearly to the
ground. In one hand he carries tin
case, within which small cups and
saucers, spoons, sugar, and ~ few dam
ties sleep in their berths until reused
for immediate use His other hand,
half opened, rests at the side of his
mouth, and serves as rude speaking
trumpet to carry the words, "Choco-
late hot chocolate!' further through
the fog which has rolled up the street
in charity TO cover the wickedness and
sin of the narrow street, and gradually
to condense itself into tears on the win
dow panes of the houses where excite
ment and revelry have long since
superseded happiness and peace. His
assistant walks behind-a Chinaman--
also wearing large white apron, and
he clatters along with the halftrot,
half-walk, which centuries of toll have
I. L.. l. L. 4 l,.N1
i've step when bearing a burden. The
assistant has pole over his shoulders,
and from each end is pendant a stable
tin chest, the contents of which we
may discover if we ask for meal on
the sidewalk at , a. m. The red
glow of Goals shows through
hole at the bottom of ore of these
chests.
On walks the chocolate vender, close
~ followed by his Monaghan assistant.
The Frenchman's step is firm, his car
riage upright, and there is an expires
sion of selfsatisfaction on his counter
ance, even while his hoarse voice con-
tinues the cry, Chocolate Hot cho-
colate T. The Chinaman is the per
sonification of an oppressed man, who
has turned philosopher, and discovered
the happy power Of avoiding thinking.
His head is bowed. his eyes rest on the
pavement, and no shade of expression
is exhibited on his yellow face. He ac-
composites his task alike without inter
est and without impotence. If he has
thought it is concerning his six bits
per day
In front of small wooden house, the
lower part of which once served for
shop or saloon, and just under gas
lamp, the vender stops. In place Of
bottles and assorted groceries which
once decorated the prominent, low
shOwwindows, two women, coarse, vul-
gar and repulsive, now occupy it. One
of these has signaled our vender. He
receives her order and proceeds to fill
it. One of the tin chests Of the China
man is uncovered, and bed Of bright
Goals exhibit their surface. A lamb
chop is taken from another compart-
ment, and is soon sizzling on the grid
iron, is turned, seasoned and served on
hot plate Potatoes, nicely fried, are
discovered in another recess; roll Of
French bread appears as if 10y aid of a
conjurer; the cup of chocolate is drawn,
and all are spread on little table.
mere the leinale nlSnt-Dlru luncn-
es, with one eye on the chop and
the other on the street, watching for
prey.
The coffee vender passes on with his
fdnS debates All Sin he will return for
the dishes by and by. Thus the choco.
late vender earns his living. From
midnight until three o'clock, sometimes
four, he wanders through streets, by
ways and lanes which other honest men
avoid, crying " Chocolate ! Hot choco-
late " and All Sin, laden with bread,
meat, fire and chocolate, trudges pa
tiently at his heels.