Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-10-20
Mexican Pictures.

The dense population that is pressed
together in the valley of Mexico, and
the Countrywide character peculiar to
many parts of the CAPITAL, bring always
crowds of boorish people into Mexico's
thoroughfares. Indians of pure blood,
looking like disfigured gypsies, are con-
stantly seen rowing about. Husband,
wife AID child are trotting the same slow
pace, STOPPING to the very ground and
frequently carrying heavy loads, or the
straw mattre sses on which they have
passed the previous night, ON their way
to the city. Passing the front of some
ancient chdrch or decaying convent,
we see the grades crowded with ugly
looking Indian women nursing their dirty
little urchins. In the shade of some
building we see happy family sharing
the frugal meal, consisting of "tortilas
Ga cake baked of Indian corn and some
fruits now and then they may even be
seen indulging ia the luxury of s'triio-
las freed beans the National dish of
the Mexican not very far from the
happy lat home we / iice crowd of
shabby-looking young laen lying ON the
ground SIN 1king and gambling at cards
the monotony of the play is now and
then interrupted by wild curses or n
blow ut him who has been found guilty
of cheating his drowsy companions.
Indians and Mestizzos, the broad
trimmed sombrero on their dust-covered
heads, are leaning against the walls Of
some fonda (inn) they are shepherds
or muleteers, who Lave brought cattle
and goods from the interior and who are
now gazing at all the splendors of the
capital and beholding the wonders Of
them. They are daring looking fellows,
clad in dirty linen clothing and n parti-
colored shawl, which they draw closely
around their neck and head when the
wind begins to blow, so that there is lit
tie to be seen Of their defiant faces.
Pickpockets and thieves, wearing a mix
ture of National and foreign garb, arr
seen spying out an opportunity favorable
to their profession.
Men and women of all ages and com
plexions, boys and girls, besiege the cof-
fee houses, annoying the pedestrian with
their shrill voices, pressing him to buy
lottery ticket and gain the five or ten
thousand "piros that are drawn on the
coming morn vendors of matches and
other triies follow You step by step till
you get rid Of them by spending n cop
per piece or two, but only to be annoyed
by others who have watched your weak
ness and are anxious to have their turn
also. More pleasant than these match
and ticket sellers are those 10 offer fir
sale small objects Of art. as waxen frnits
of great beauty. artificial flowers and
wooden and charcoal figures # perfecs
workmanship: tiny little figures repre-
senting scenes of everyday life, beautiful
birds on cardboard and different KINDS
of feather work are TO be obtained nj
very low prices.
A charming picture are the flower girls,
who are busy composing their abundant
stock of the very finest flowers into taste
full nosegays, in which We find great
variety of roses and the ladies' fayorite,
the dark blue yiolet-floWers that nature
offers us al the year round. Tasteful
garlands, flower baskets that would make
the New York florist rave, charm the
buyers eyes; nosegays Of MI dimensions
and the delicate flower for the dandy's
button-hole are to he purchased ut very
low prices. For flowers the ", Ncan has
a well pleasing weakness, aud the lovo
Of flowers is one Of the qualities that tine
conquerors and has brought with him t.
Mexico. Old matrons and young lldi $,
eyeing the passers-by from the balcony.
all have their hair and dress adorned
with fresh flowers.
The fruit vendor makes fine display
of his stock on the grouad or in his prim-
tive shop Apples, pears, Strawberries,
peaches, apricots, Turkish and Indian
figs, the growth of the temperate eli
mate, are to be seen lying together with
the golden orange, the yellow lemon,
bananas, anenas, manages, and the deli
cious chirimoya, productions Of the tor
rid zone. Those who are fond Of cool.
ing draught may apply to one of the nu-
merons water stands, where inoifensive
mixtures of water and ananas, lemon and
other juices are served 10 the caller for
two cents a glass. While slipping our
nectar we notice two or three old Indian
women, half naked, who press with
round stone the juice ont Of the fruit.
Chocolate and cocoa are served as well
at the stands Travelling cooks with
their two-wheeled kitchens are to be
found in every street, and they serve
dis. 3 to those who give them call
vet foreigner would scarcely be pleased
with the acid Spanish pippin or the
baked sweet potatoes and other dishes,
as they are generally spiced with good
deal Of dirt. -EUeHing Post Cores
poadence.