The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-10-29
LoNDoN'S QUEER CARTS.
Odd Conveyances in Which the COster
mOngers Do B1siness.

mOngers Do Business.
All who pass along the tho nghfares
of the metropolis, bestowing more than
a cursory glance upon the many phases
of it's busy street life, must be struck
with establishment to observe the vari-
GUS modes of conveyance used by those
who resort to the public thoroughfares
for livelihood. From the more provi-
dent costermonger's pony and donkey
cart to the rusty old iron tray slung
around the neck by the vendor of black
ing, and down to the ragged little boy
with his lucifer matches in the last
remains of a willow hand baskete)r
cigar boX-the shape and variety of the
| means resorted to by the costeTmon-
| gers and other streetsellers for carrying
| about their goods are almost as mani
| fold as the articles they vend.
The pony-or donkey-carts (and
the latter is by for the more usual beast
If draught) of the prosperous coster-
nongers are of three kinds: The first
is of an oblong shape, with a rail behind,
Upon which is placed a-tray filled with
punches of greens, turnips, celery, etc,
while other commodities are laid in the
bed of the cart.
| Another kind is the common square
art without springs, which is so con-
structed that the sides, as well as the
front and back, will let down and form
shelves wherein the stock may be ar,
,anged to advantage. ---, --
The third sort of pony cart is one of
home manufacture, consisting of the
framework of a body without sides, or
front, or hind part. Sometimes a cost
ar's barrow is formed into donkey
cart merely by fastening with cord two
| rough poles to the handles. All these
several kinds of carts are used for the
conveyance of either fruit, vegetables
or fish; but besides these there is the
salt vendors cart, with and without
the tilt or covering, and square piece
Of tin (stuck into block of salt), on
which is painted salt BIB. a penny"
/ Then there is the poultry cart, with the
wild ducks and rabbits dangling at its
sides, and with two uprights and cross
stick, upon which are suspended birds,
etc, slung across in couples.
The above conveyances are all of small
dimensions, the barrow being general
y about five feet long and three wide,
while the carts are mostly about four
feet square.
| Every kind of harness is used; some
are well BACKED and CREASED and glitter
| ing with brass, others are almost as
gray with dust as the donkey itself.
Some of the animals are gaudily capar-
isOned in an old carriage harness,
which fits like a mans coat on a boy S
back, while the plated silver ornaments
are pink, with the copper showing
through; others have rude traces and
bellybands, and not few indulge in old
cotton handkerchiefs for pads.
The next conveyance (Which, indeed,
is the most SeneraD is the costermon-
gers handbarrow. These are very light
in their make, with springs terminal
ing at the axle. Some have rails behind
for the arrangement of their goods;
others have not. Some have side rails,
while others have only the framework.
The shape of these barrows is oblong,
and sloped from the hind part toward
the front; the bottom of the bed is not
boarded but consists of narrow strips
of wood nailed athwart and across.
When the coster is hawking his fish
or vending his green stuff he provides
himself with a wooden trap, which is
placed upon his barrow. Those who can
not afford tray get some pieces OF
board and fasten them together, these
answering their purpose as well. Pine
apple and pineapple rock barrows are
not unfrequentiy seen with small
bright-colored flags at the four corners.
futtering in the wind.
Then there are the cat and dogs meat
barrows. These, however, are merely
common wheelbarrows, with a board in
front and L. ge or shelf, formed by a
piece of boar' nailed across the top OF
the barrow. . answer the purpose of a
cutting board. Lastly, there is the
hearthstone barrow, piled up with
hearthstone, Bath brick and Jumps OF
whiting.-Spare Moments.