Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1886-07-20
NUMEROUS NATIoNALITIEs.
rnr COSMOPOLITAN STATE or rrsA'
ruulIc DOCUMENT, Anr PRINTED N fovH i,s
0UAotr.
fIIouston Letter

ss'"s~ asT.as.
Houston Letter
This State differs 90 materially from
her sisters that everything concerning her
mus, be interesting. Vivid conira,"
meet you on every side. arising from the
varied elements Of the population. oi
course the English or Anglo.Ameriean
race Is predominant. The German. are
nun. really second. the Spanish OF Mex
leans third, and the. Bohsmians fourth
So we'll represented are the three na'ion-
slities last named that the Governor
message and State laws are printed IN
four languages. In about this ratio; JO.'
600 copies In Eaglish. 200 copies IN
German, 5000 each In spanish and Bo-
hemian. -Four tongues are legally rec
ogniled, and there are four distinct style.
Of living TO be studied on the soil. Add
TO these the DAgoes, an entirely separate
nationality. They are Italians aud Min
ORGANS. who are almost exclusively co.
gagged in fishing and 10 the oyster and
fruit trade. They make . strange JArgon
GU, Of our vernseulsr. quite a. queer a.
the pigeon English Of the Chinese. These
last, spar.ely represented. conhns them
selves 10 the occupation Of laundering.
with the exception Of q few laborers on
the railroads. Yet In spite Of their small
number. 90 rapidly does vice gain ground,
their presence has worked evil. for in ev-
cry large city Of Texas the police have
bad to raid upon opium dens.
The Me,ieans scattered throughout the
towns are thrifty and industrious. and
generally quiet aud we'll behaved. They
can live on a mere pi,,Anee. and are con-
tented as long As they can have their els-
are,,es and coffee. Many Of them earn
their living by making aud selling ia
males" aud " Chile con earne. two modes
Of preparing mea, which ATE sPPe,iling
in the extreme They mAnufse,are. too
q delicious candy" nusees duless -
ou, Of pecan. and sugar. which they sell
upon the streets aud from door TO door
Their homes and habits are rich IN the
picturesque. and would pr,ssn, some rare
subject. for the painters art
The old Dutch masters wonld have
loved to perpeiuate this scene A low
rooted wooden shsnty, bare pine table.
and long bench. on which u, three noted
politicians, taking an evening lunch and
eorcoeiing plans for the dear peoples
benefit. One il fair.skinnsd aud rudy
haired. showing his Irish blood; one a
typical American. the third a French
Canadian. Each has a ',eamins platter
Of "Chile con earne. Behind them
stand, the Mexican kos,-,all. dark, dig
niiied. aud grave. ys, waiehfal They
are four perfectly contrasting Types. Over
them flicker the dim rays cas-, BY an oil
lamp. deepening the shadows. ,hro~ins
half lights into the obscur,y Of The corn
er. A tiny hsirle. Mexican dog sits
mo,ionle. on the door step, while the
sign, written ia both English aud Span
i.h. swing. eresking above hi. head.
Outside the darkness !, pierced BY long
shaft. Of eolored lish, ,ha,s,ream through
the stained windows OF the Jewish TEN.
pie and by the pale glimmer OF lamp IN
the street car waiting At . switch.
This !, the principal railroad centre OF
the State. The settlements along each
Of her ten lines pre'en, different, and
dis,ine, phase. One route give. you 20
perfection the negro element Of the pop.
ulaiion. Another ,raverses the rich sugar
lands, with all their interesting operation.
Of sugar and syrup making. A third and
fourth wend through a cattle coun,y,
,par.ely settled. where the cowboy reisn'
supreme. Still another leads straight TO
the gres, cotton plantations Of the Bra
ro,, the centre Of wealth and refinement
before the war. Tao more open up the
timber lands. with their population more
like Canadians OF Maine men than South
ernss. Along another. the Ceniral. are
found thriving villages aud towns differ.
ing little from those in other Western
States. The International passes through
. sandy pine wood. country, settled Ia
most parts by Geoisians, Alabamian' and
Tennss.eeans, sgrieulturslists all. leading
lives about a. hard and bare I. do other
new settlers on new lands.
The San.e, road invites US, bu, before
leaving Houston IL will be well TO say .
word as to IL. appearance. lu people
love TO call Il q city. and such Il should
be. with IL. many railroads, much wealth
and IS. 900 inhabitants; but It's appear
Ance /, very much that OF an overgrown
country village. I, covers much ground.
but is stragglingly built Shan,ies and
fine dwellings stand side by side. The
best paved streets lack crossings. and the
need Of cleaning brigade Is deplOAbly
apparent. II has no parks. no public
squares. no pleasure grounds, no drives,
a wan, ,h., nigh, be supplied by some
Of iis wealthy citizens II they were only
sufficiently public spirited. The prinei.
pal business part OF the town Is disiigured
by swinging signs and awnings. which,
however comfortable they may be 10 ,hi.
summer land. certainly de,rset terribly
from the beauty Of the fine buildings iha,
from, Main Street.
Vivid contrasts are perpetaally recar-
ing. and the Mexican life. which gives
variety to the community !. which !, Is
found. presents some pretty examples.
For instance, In a lOw.roofed, dark shan.
ty lives q family Of eandy-maker. A
young man-slim, 1.-THE and dlrk.browed
sits on the raised threshold. cracking
and picking pecans. Behind him Ano,h-
stands At stove stirring . great kettle
Of boiling. see,hing syrup. tho while
smoo,h.fseed lad draws an inspiriiing
dance tune from the siring. OF bis banjo.