The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-31
BOYS TRAMPING
FOR Big PURSE
FROM MEXICO TO NEW YORK.
WITHOUT A PENNY AND WITH ONE
SUIT OF CLOTHES.


cini, Two bright Mexican Lads,
Are Making the Trip on wager
Made by Parents-Left City of Mex
leo without "a Cent and with no
knowledge Whatever of English.
Will Lose 81 zoo if They Fail to
Reach New York by May 2.
On their way from the City of Mex
leo to New York, Thomas Ontiveros
and Aquiline Sorcin, Two Mexican
boys called at the office of Mayor My
ers yesterday to try to get a ticket
by steamer given them.
The boys are making the trip on a
wager, They are allowed to ride
whenever they can. The only condi-
tions were that they left the City of
Mexico without cent, and must reach
New York by May 2. If they arrive
there by that date they will each re-
ceive $500.
The time is drawing near now when
the lads must get to New York or lose
the wager. They cannot hope to get
to New York on foot in time to win.
They will, therefore, take steamer
here, if they can raise sufficient funds
to get tickets.
The Mayor told the boys he could
not give them the tickets, but would
get them a cheap rate, if they could
raise any money. Both of the boys
can go for SIS under a special low
rate that the Mayor will obtain. The
boys decided to try to get work here
and earn the money. 1t is doubtful if
they can save that amount in time to
catch a steamer and get to the me-
tropolis before the expiration of the
time limit. They would, therefore, be
glad to get few contributions to help
them on their way. Clerk of Council
]. Robert Dreamer has consented to
receive donations from any one, who
wishes to help the lads along. What
ever is given will be applied to secur-
ing them tickets.
Boys Knew no English.
Both boys are very bright. They
say they are each 10 years of age,
though they look much younger. When
they left the City of Mexico, lhey knew
no English at all. They are now able
to make themselves fairly we'll under
stood, though their pronunciation is
off.
The boys left their homes in the City
of Mexico on Nov. q 1903 The con-
ditions of the wager were that they
must leave without a cent and with
no clothing except what they wore,
and reach New York within six months.
The six months will expire on May 2,
and the boys seem likely to lose, unless
they receive some financial assistance
here.
Wager Result of Dragging.
The wager came about from the two
boys Dragging at school about what a
great country the United States is.
They had been told of the wonderful
sights in the big cities, and announced
their intention of some day seeing
them for themselves, Their school
companions guyed them great deal
about the trip they were going to take
until finally they made a boastful prop
osition that they could go without any
money From the school children, the
talk spread to the parents and a wager
was at last arranged between the par
ents of the two boys, who are making
the trip, and the parents of other chill
dren who had scoffed at the idea of
any one being able to go to New York
without money.
The parents of each of the boys put
up $780, with the understanding that
money if they won. The parents of
other scholars in the school put up
$500 to wager against the $500 the par
ents of the two tramps wagered. After
they reach New York. they will be
given return tickets to their home. Ar
rangements have already" been made
with officials in New York to give
them tickets via steamer to Vera Cruz.
Have Had "a Hard Time.
The boys have had no easy time
since leaving their Mexican homes.
From the City of Mexico to San Luis
Potosi and then on to Monterey, they
tramped, begging for what they got
to eat. They stayed in Monterey
while and then went to Loredo. From
Loredo they crossed over into Texas
to San Antonio. They walked to Aus
tin and then made their way on
work train from Austin to Galveston.
From Galveston they went to New
Orleans. In New Orleans they received
aid from the Mexican consul and took
the train to Mobile. They worked a
time in Mobile and went to Birming-
ham. From Birmingham they went
to Atlanta, where they worked for
the Piedmont Hotel for some time.
From Atlanta they went to Macon
and then came on TO Savannah.
They are keeping a note book of all
their experiences and will till their
school friends in Mexico of them when
they return.
Whatever we see. whatever we hear,
we write down." Ontiveros explained.
when we eat, we write II down, and
when we have nothing to eat, like to-
day, we write it down, too"