Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-01-16
Mexican Pictures.

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 dist 1red gypsies, are con-
stantly seen rowing about. Husband,
wife and child are trotting the same slow
pace, STOPPING to the very ground and
frequently carrying heavy loads, or the
straw mattresses on which they have
passed the previous night, on their way
to the city. Passing the front of some
ancient church or a 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 "tortillas
ia cake baked of Indian CORN and some
fruits now and then they may even be
seen indulging in the luxury of "tlijo-
las freed BEANS the National dish of
the Mexican not very far from the
happy Eat home " we notice crowd of
shabby-looking young men lying on the
ground smoking and gambling at cards;
the monotony Of the play is now and
then interrupted by wild curses or
blow at him who has been found guilty
OF cheating his drowsy companions.
Indians and MestizzOs, the broad
brimmed sombrero on their dust-covered
heads, are leaning against the walls Of
some " fonda Qnn) they are shepherds
Or muleteers, who have brought cattle
and goods from the interior and who are
now gazing at all the splendors of the
capital ami Leholding the wonders Of
them. They are daring looking fellows,
clad in dirty linen clothing and 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, are
seen spying out an opportunity favorable
to their profession.
Men and women Of all ages and CON-
plexions, boys and girls, besiege the cot
fee houses, annoying the pedestrian with
their shili voices pressing HIM 10 bny A
lottery ticket and gain the five or ten
thousand "piros that are drawn on the
coming morn vendors of matches and
other trihes follow you step by step till
you get rid of them by spending 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 who offer for
sale small objects of art. as waxen fruits
of great beauty, artificial flowers and
wooden and charcoal figures Of perfect
workmanship; tiny little figures repre-
senting scenes of everyday life, beautiful
birds on cardboard and different kinds
of feather work are to be obtained at
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 favorite,
the dark blue viulet-ilowers that nature
offers us all the year round. Tasteful
garlands, flower baskets that would make
the New York florist rave, charm the
buyers eyes nosegays of all dimensions
and the delicate flower for the dandys
button-hole are to be purchased at very
low prices. For flowers the Mexican has
we'll pleasing weakness, and the love
of flowers is one of the qualities that the
Spaniard has inherited from his Moorish
conuuerors and has brought with him to
Mexico. Old matrons and young Ladies',
cycling 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 ground or In his prlm-