The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-09-03
COSTERMONGER CARTS.
Oddities ON Wheels Seen In the
Streets OF London.
OonvoyAaoes for the Various Articles o3
Asrchandise Used In the Daily Life
Of the City-How They Are
COnstructDd.

All who pass along the thorouehfares
of the metropolis. beatowing more than
cursory glance upon the many phases
Of it's busy street life, must be struck
with astonishment TO observe the vari-
Gus modes of conveyance used by those
who resort to the public thoroughfares
for a livelihood. From the more provi-
dent costermongr's pony and donkey
cart 10 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 basket or a
cigar box-the shape and variety of the
means resorted to by the co.termon-
gers and Observation-Disclosures for carrying
about their goods are almost as mani
fold as the articles they vend.
The pony-or donkey-carts land
the latter is by for the more usual beast
of draught) of the prosperous coster-
mongers are of three kinds: The first
is of an oblong shape, with rail behind,
upon which is placed tray filed with
punches of greens. turnips, celery, etc.,
while other commodities are laid in the
bed of the cart.
Another kind is the common square
cart without springs, which is so con-
structed that the sides, as well an the
front and back, will let down and form
shelves whereon the stock may be ar
ranged to advantage.
The third sort of pony cart is one of
home manufacture, consisting of the
framework of body without sides, or
front, or hind part. Sometimes cost
er'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 a square piece
of tin (stuck into block of SALTY, on
which is painted "Salt Bib. penny"
Then there is the poultry cart, with the
wild ducks and rabbits dangling at it's
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
ly 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 bkacked 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 mans coat on boys
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 handkcrchiefs for pads.
The next conveyance (Which, indeed,
is the most generaD is the costermon-
gers handbarrow. These are very light
in their make, with springs terminat~
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 a tray get some pieces OF
board and fasten them together. these
answering their purpose as well. Pine
apple and pineapple rock barro'vs are
not unfrequently seen with small
bright-colored flags at the four corners,
fiuttering in the wind.
Then there are the cat and dogs meat
barrows. These, however, are merely
common wheelbarrows, with board in
front and ledge or shelf, formed by a
piece of board nailed across the top of
the barrow, to answer the purpose of
cutting board. Lastly, there is the
hearthstone barrow. piled up with
hearthstone, Bath brick and Jumps OF
whiting.-Spare Moments.