Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-02-03
MEXICAN LETTER.
A Visit to The Market Plsee-N0tbing
to Remind One OF the Noise and
Hnbbub of the American MART
shsiled Corn, Beans, Red Peppsrs and
Fresh Beef the stsples IN Every
Famiiy-Ths Midday Loaf.
Correspondence of the Gazette.

correspondence Oh the GAzeELe.
VILLA LKRDo, MEXICO, Jan. 29'-Visit
the Mexican market in the early hours OF
morning. At that dusky hour, when the
murky shades are fading away before the
approaching light Of day, the vendors first
bestir themselves among the irregular
rows of cornstslk huts, and begin arrang-
ing their wares for the busy hours that
follow.
There is nothing in the scene presented
that will remind one OF the busy modern
market place. No lights, gave the flicker
ing fisme Of match, here and there, ap-
Piled to the ever present cigarette, that
for the moment indistinctly reveal the
forms noiselessly moving around. There
are 10 sounds of clsttering
wheels aud busting life, that
announce the arrival and departure
of butchers wagons and produce carts
Instead the silent donkeys with their
huge baskets or sacks suspended on either
side, appearing in the uncertain light
like figures in "Fantasma," awaiting the
announcement Of the fairy queen, patient
ly stand awaiting the pleasure Of their
sleepy masters.
There is no animation, no life, only q
weird moving to and fro Of figures muf-
fed to the eyes in blankets, with broad
brimmed hats pulled down so close that
no part Of the face is left visible.
Stay until the light Of day reveals OBJ
jects more distinctly. 1t cannot be said
thst light improves the appearance, but
seems TO infuse more life into the sur
roundings.
From the dirt floors of these i'm
promptu habitations the dusky mstrons
snd maids, who have occupied them as
bedrooms during the night, arise to greet
the king Of day, who now begins to per-
form the act that lost "Peeptng Tom Of
Coventry" his eye; not that there is
Princess GodIva present for Old Sol to
feast his eyes upon, but there are many
half closed eyes and froWZy heRdsIth8t the
cracks in the WallsireYeAl to ibis searching
rays. But, though there be little change
made in the clothing that covers them,
both night and day modesty forbids
strangers looking within the open doors.
Where daylight has once claimed domin
ion, the business of the morning fairly
begins. Few tables for the display OF
wares can be seen, the larger portion of
articles occupy conspicuous places upon
the ground, where they not only attract
the attention Of customers, but also, the
dogs, thHt are more numerous than use
iul. Shelled-corn seems to be the chief
staple in demand among the lower class,
who msKe nutricious bread by subject
ing it to process of cleaning that re-
moves the husks by using 8 solution OF
| lime-wa.er. Then MASKING into a pastry
substance with stones, it is moulded into
cakes and cooked over the Goals. A man
or 8 woman considers himself fortunate II
ne is able to buy bushel Of corn, q few
pounds Of peanuts and basket Of oranges
to yend in the market place. One quart
to one-halt gallon Of corn is days sup
ply for family.
Fresh beef is the next most valuable
article offered for sale at these market
places, but is considered more in the line
of luxury than necessity.
Then comes the beans and red pepper,
and 1t might as well be understood that
no well regulated family can be run in
, Mexico without 1t Is supplied with bears
and red pepper.
Other articles Of less importance are
sold in these markets. Charcoal, forage,
earthenware and few productions from
the vegetable kingdom help TO make up
the collection. There are also places
where you can get square meal or cup
OF coffee smoking hot. After the rush Of
business is over these people take the
world easy, reclining or sitting around
their huts until some chance customer
arouses them to make purchase.
EDGAR RYE.