The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-09-28
THE CARGADORES.
AN INTERESTING CLASS OF PEOPLE
IN OUR SISTER REPUBLIC.

Class of Mexican Laborers Not Noted
for Intelligence Rednement-The
Work They Do-Cheaper Than Mules.
Rebeccas at the Well.
The cargadores are by far the best class OF
laborers in Mexico, and are by law and long
usuage regarded the best and cheapest COM
mon carriers in all the large cities and towns
Their wages and wants are small, and their
bone and muscle are their only capital
Education, modesty and refinement are
almost unknown among them, and morality
often exists only in name. Among many
their hopes and aspirations are no higher
than the burdens on their backs, while their
degradation is as low as pulque and mescal
can make it. These are the national drinks,
and are made from the native maguey or
century plant. Their dress is composed OF a
low, wide-brimmed straw hat, goatskin jacket
and pantaloons, n leather apron from the
neck down, and pair of sandals in place OF
shoes. In addition they carry q thick pad on
their backs, upon which the burdens are
placed. The whole is kept in place by wide
belt which is passed around the load and just
above the forehead. In addition some wear
n belt from which is swung a large sheathed
knife, a long sewing needle, o. rope and a
bunch Of strings.
READY FOR WORK.
ernment the cargador is ready for work, and
is considered by his class as well l-todo In life,
and indeed they have some reason for think
ing So for We often see them passing through
the street under heavy burdens, and that
Gthoat a pad, and entirely naked from the
wiist up. Their work includes about all that
is done by our northern dairy, bakery and
grocery delivery wagons; also that OF the
moving car, the butchers cart and the dray,
EAl~z e.. han ttSar>a
is very extensive moving being done 1t makes
a strange scene. They are then trudging
on in a long line, each one bent under his
burden, composed Of parlor, household and
kitchen furniture. The grocery delivery man
and the frutero (fruit peddlers) carry their
burdens on their heads in low, fiat baskets,
which are sometimes yard wide. This IS
placed on a circular pad which just fits tho
head Of the carrier. When selling fruit one
man carries the basket, while a second goes
along and cries the kind, quality, price, and
concludes by saying: "Toda esta muy
barator-all are very cheap.
In this city the prisoners are worked as car
gadores and while writing this fifty have
passed my windows, and all were loaded with
wood. At other times we see them loaded
with bags of earth and rubbish from the
street, lime and sand for the builder, and
heavy stones used in paving the streets and
sidewalks. Many Of them are barefooted and
clothed in rags, while others have a piece of q
blanket around their loins, which forms their
entire suit They ara driven to and fro by a
mounted guard, consisting Of about one-third
Of their own number. Thus to them life is
almost worse than death itself. When lum-
ber or long timber is to be moved the ends of
two pieces are fastened to the pack saddle on
either side Of mule or burro, while the other
ends drag on the ground; thus they are trailed
along to the required place. This is the secret
Of transferring everything for which long
geared wagon is necessary And 1t IS even
said they pride themselves on their native In
genuity, for by this method there IS no time
lost in gearing and ungearing.
CARRYING SUPPLIES.
All the butchers supplies are carried more
than mile into this city. We have seen one
man carry five dressed sheep or two quarters
of beef this distance at one load, for which
he received six cents per load. And consider
ing that his employer IS not required to buy
hay or corn for him, and that he pays for his
own breakfast, he becomes q cheaper creature
or beast Of burden than the mule or donkey
hence we seldom see them used in the work
Others are carrying large hog skin basket
filed with hides, horns, and tallow, whil'
others are peddling or delivering sheep, goa
or hog skins full Of lard This receptacle
made by taking the hide from the animal II
its natural form; then the feet are tied VI
and all cuts securely sewed, after which it !
filed from the neck and tied also; then whel
a supply is wanted they have only to unite
foot or tap the body in some convenient plac
and the quantity is forthcoming.
There are no wells or water works here
hence all water for use Is conveyed by waite
carriers and sold about the city. The seen
at the fountains in the early morning Is sus
gestive Of ancient times to the student Q
history. Women by the hundreds are hllin
and bearing away on their shoulder ola
6ars) of water These, too, are very simiia
in form to that used by Rebecca at the wei
Men are there with their poles and waite
cans. In short, the scene is composed of mer
donkeys and dogs, women, children, pet pig
lambs and goats. The air is filed wit
music, for all creatures Of a kind are e,
changing their morning greetings while wal
ing their turn. Thus all seem to enjoy hf
while reproducing the scenes Of old as W
have seen them pictured. And here as ther
many dark eyed Rebeccas are won by th
meetings at the well-Zacatecas Cor. Detro
Free Press.
The princess of Wales has $4,000 q yea
spending money. while the wife Of the crow