The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-08-01
The MexIean Nonaa.


Tie Jarocho, the half-breed Of tho
Mexican lowlands, forms the subject Of
an entertaining Vera Cruz letter in the
New York Post. A typical Jarocho Is
thus described: OF medium aize,
rather sparely built, with 1.-the, sinewy
limbs, and betraying vigorous life in
his poise; his features, somewhat Moor
ish in type, but very handsome; an oval
face sharply defined; piercing black
eyes, long black hair, lips and chin
sparsely bearded, small white, regular
teeth, complexion OF clear brown, with
a cinnamon or olive tint He was dressed
in full rdHcheTo costume and more pic
turesque apparel is not anywhere TO be
found. A checkered kerchief bound
about the head, over which sat lightly
broad -brimmed black hat. encircled with
a band Of shining pearls; q manga or
circular cloak of scarlet cloth, elabor-
ately braided at the neck, fell back from
his shoulders in folds graceful as those
Of Roman toga, showing the brilliant
sash of scarlet crepe around the waist;
trousers OF sky-blue yelyeteen; snow
white drawers, buff-leather boots, heav-
lily spurred, completed tho costume.
This picturesque figure bestrode hery
horse, pulled back upon his launches in
the suddenness of the halt. until his
long tail swept the ground, both animal
and rider remaining in that attitude for
few moments, as il suddenly turned
into stone. 1t was q picture that could
be seen only on Mexican sofia Jaroeho,
pure and simple, the half-hreed of the
lowlRnds, the gitano of the terra
cdliente. Apparently Of q kind from
which the lazzaroni of large cities would
he drawn, the Jarocho cherishes q su-
preme contempt for the town and It's
ways, and prefers the country, and even
the solitude of vast forests, where, in
his meager shell of q hut, he can dwell
undisturbed by bustling activity and
enjoy to his hearts content the
far Hieate Of the tropics. Unlike the
GYPSY, to whom he bears so close resem-
blance, and 10 whom his ancestry is often
attributed, he is not q nomad, nor like
him socially, either an outcast or q vaga-
bond. The nominal proprietor of few
acres, he is the master of the seenes
around him, and varies intervals Of leis-
ure with an occasional occupation. With
estates where cultivation il carried on he
will have nothing 10 do. Disliking reg
ular employment, agriculture savors too
much industry, since il necessitatea toll.
Systematic labor he leaves to the patient
and plodding Indian, who breaks the
clod at this hour as in the days of Mon
tezuma. Beside, agriculture would ne
cessitate walking, one of the lost arts.
A jarocho ON foot would be an anoma-
ly, an impOssibility. The idea Of walk
ing anywhere never seems TO occur 20
him. His horse, or dldaHte. rs he calls
it, stands ever ready saddled at the door.
tied to q tree. or under shed near at
hand. II his errand he but fifty yards
away, he never thinks of executing IL on
foot. He dislains a creeping method.
Whatever the business, il must be exc
cuted in the saddle. II water is wanted
TO boil his friioles, he slingH a pair Of
water-jars that balance one ansther by .
strap over the saddle-bow. Then mount
ing, he rides TO the adjacent stream and
wades in until the jars have Elled them
selves. Returning 10 the hut, he slips out
of the saddle, and, If possible, leaves
his wife or other member of the family to
unload and secure the horse. Ii wood is
needed to bake his toTtillCEs, he brings Il
in the same free-and-easy fashion. Sc
lecting fallen log in the forest-to fell
one himself would be too much labor
he throws one end of his lasso over Il
and ties the other 10 his horses tail.
Then, mounting the animal. he drags the
log 70 the hut, or more frequently in
side, where IL is set free and one end
thurst into the cinders As the end
burns of il is pushed further up until
the whole Is consumed and another re-
quired In this easy fashion is the hearth
replenished. II il were not easy the ia
rocho would not do IL.