The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-20
CITY OF MEXICO.
Some of the Queer Things Seen I'm the
Capital of Our Sister Republic.

chicago IlmeS-fteralu.
The City of Mexico is not only a foreign
city, but it is one of the most foreign of
cities London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin and
st. Petersburg are all more or less like New
York and Chicago. They are places of high
vices, the inconvenience and conveniences
of high civilization. They have the clang of
the horse car, the rush of trains, the opera,
morning paper. The City of Mexico is from
a different mold. 1t sits upon the bed of a
lake. many thousands of feet above the level
of the sea. 1t has no spring, summer, au-
tumn or winter. Its seasons are the wet
and the dry. The same weight of clothing
is worn the year round. On the sunny side
of the street one longs for a palm leaf fan
and a gin rickey. On the shady side seal
skin coat proves comfortable In the rainy
season the rain 1t raineth every day, not in
the driZZle of northern ATTITUDES, but in
drops as big as peanuts. Although one may
slap moisture from the air with a paddle, no
house has fireplace in it. The people
shiVer in the dampened rooms, draw their
wraps more closely about them and assert
with witt Mexican stoicism that the dry season so
fetal warmth obtainable comes from a lit
lie op charcoal st We, al that, wi doors
and windows closed. is rather deadly in
strument. Pneumonia revels in its harvest
and la grippe stalks about devouring its
tens. The rainy season corresponds to our
summer
Living, from the American view point, is
cheap. One pays at the leading hotels 81 a
day for a room. Singularly enough, the To-
1t may be on the first or fourth floor, front
or back. 1t will be 81 just the same. This
equals 81 American money. In the restaur-
ants one gets an elaborate course dinner
from soup and fish to cheese and dessert,
with bottle of excellent wine thrown in.
for 10 cents, or S712 cents in our coin. Pretty
nearly everything else is on the same basis.
If one is spending United States money
things seem very cheap; if one is earning
Mexican money they are dear Art That is one
Street transit is altogether by mule cars.
They start in trains from the Plaza Zocalo:
The conductor of affairs waits until eight
or ten cars have arrived. Then he puts
them in line and starts them. They swing
eff the main line at various branches, M an
time people all over town are waiting for
them. That makes no difference. If there
is any one thing of which the Mexican has
a superfiuity it is time. You can ride all
day for a nickel, once you get started. From
seat in one of the open cars you can see
the city. gradually, it is true. but surely.
You will need plenty of cigaritos, matches
ard patience. Mexican matches, by the
way are made of wax They are guadily
coIored. red and blue. and sulphured at each
end. When Mexican has used one end
he blows it out and puts the match into his
POCKET.
The city used to drain into the lake at it's
doors and the smells were fearful. 1t still
drains into the lake. but the lake itself
drains through a giant tunnel into another
lake on the far side of range of noun
tains, and things are better. Plumbing is of
the crudest kind and not plentiful. After
dark the streets are used as recessionals.
and one runs across startling sights to an
American. The locals are used to it, The
system of street lighting is peculiar. AT the
intersection of each thoroughfare lighted
lantern is placed on the ground: On the
corner is a sentry box which holds a po-
liceman. If you drive walk over the lam
tern the inclosed bobby adiudges you guilty
of disorderly conduct and shoots at you;
If you stand still he arrests you. provided
you are not dead. Mexican policemen are
queer birds. They arrested wandering
donkey once for tipping lantern tried 1t,
found it guilty of disorder and sentenced 1t
to sixty days Imprisonment at hard labor.
ponkeys are a large part or the cItyS
capital With their drivers they are every
where. They will take you across a muddy
street for a small fee or take your bundles
wonderful. Marguerite and plumbago
bushes grow into trees. So do many other
small Towering shrubs of our hothouSeS.
The City of Mexico has the most wonder
full gardens in the world. 1t has the most
wonderful gambling place in the world
player can bet only $3.50. AT Tacubaya
there is absolutely no limit One dollar
or $50 eco is all the same to the impressive
dealer. In the cemeteries the dead of the
A Mexican will point with uncomfortable
pride to a huge, ugly rusted slab lying over
the bones of his grandfather Iron is the
most expensive thing they can buy. Beau
tiful marbles and wonderful onyxes are too
cheap.
The City of Mexico is a delightful place
OF residence for an American, because of
the character of the American colony. A
more joyous and hospitable set of people
never lived. Anyone who goes there well
and shown everything i'm sight. Strange
drinks will be given him. Coffee. for in
stance. The man who waits at table will
have O pot of this coffee in one hand and