The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-29
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: JOHN TENDEJON


Mr.. Tendeion's bazaar is not very attractive
on the outside-a low, one-story, diapida ed
adobe hut, with but one window, and this
guiltless of glasS--but it is certainly interest
ing within. A long pine counter extends down
the left-hand side of the room, which is
about sixteen feet long Behind this
counter are arranged sundry bottles of
whisky, cider beer and absinthe a queer col
lection of drinkables; but then everything here
is out of the ordinary Above the bottles are
two shelves filled with canned meats, fruits
and vegetables, and still higher, above these,
forming q sort of frieze, number of chromos
of the various sants-unframed-a tackled
along the wall in really grotesque order St.
Peter with his keys, hobnobs
with St. Anthony, who has
Just hidden his temptress BECOME,
while ST. John the Baptist leans. at slightly
rakish angle, against the Madonna of Tears.
A dozen swarthy, proved Mexicans are as
sembled along the counter, Shaking dice for
the drinks" alternately appealing to the
pictured saints above them for good luck and
shaking their fists menacingly at the many
colored chromos when tho throw" proves
smaller than was expected. Two Mexican
women, with black shawls over their heads sit
near the fireplace waiting until the men have
been served, after which they will do their
modest shopping and skurry home to prepare
the supper for their lords and masters, for,
with the Mexicans of the lower class as with
the Indians the women do the work
and the men IlOat around and drink
bad whisky to kill time between
meals A small assortment of dry goods, half
q dozen pairs of shoes hung from the rafters,
and barrel of CHEAP sorghum complete Mr.
Tendeion's stock in trade He supplies the
modest wants Of the three hundred souls who
comprise the hamlet of Las Vigles, and
those who have the means and who cannot
satisfy their appetites or inclnations at Mr.
Tendeion's bazaar can purchase what they
require in this CITY, where q thriving trade Il
driven the wear round
1t is n source of wonder how tho people of
towns Hike Las Vigiles live They have no
manufacturers thew produce nothing 10 selI
and yet they live and have their being" and
are seemingly content. One or two Mexicans
have burros to rent, and they derive some
income from the tourists who visit the Las
Vegas Hot Springs, the great health resort of
New Mexico, which is very near Las Viqiles.
Nearly every family, however, owns a burro
for its own use. The animal is never fed: he
lives on what he can pick up. He ia patient
and docle and the far-away look of sadness in
his eve would melt a heart of stone. lie has
uncommon endurance and can carry load as
great i'm bulk AS his own body. IcSs and Ali
When the Mexican needs firewood he mounts
his burro and rides up into the mountains
over paths along precipices where il cbills the
blood to look down into the abyss. for the
burro is the surest- footed animal in the world
and his unshod hoofs will pick out a
secure foothoId almost anywhere-uutil he
finds some tree blown down by the storm Here
he cuts a great mass of fapSts. which he ties
onto the burro's hack hv means of strong cords
and thew return homeward. An average.
sized burro can carry enough wood 10 last n
Mexican family a fortnight. and. when tbe
master understands thoronphiv the ART Of tvin0
a "pack," the burro presents the oldest look.
ing spectacle Imaginable. IA he hicks his wav
over the rocks and through the rayines.