Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-27
MEXICAN DRAWNW0RK
HOW BEST TO BUY THIS Ar
 TRAOTIvE NEEDLEWoRK.
Vendors at Railway Stations Ask High Prices at First - Pur- chaser Should Visit Wom-
 en at Work.

The tourist, who contemplates mak- ing a trip through Mexico, is always deluged with commissions from his friends for drawnwork. The purchase of such a very desirable article would seem simple enough when you know ot the hundreds of families engaged in the manufacturv Cs it. However, 1t IS not the search, Of the pretty work that makes tte trouble, but the diff culty of locating it.
 At many of the stations along the railroad dozens of men and women VIII bid fercely for your trade, and spread the most beautiful creations before your longing eyes. In all probability you are tempted and gladly fall, spend- ing your full quota of drawnwork mon- ex upon these liquid-toned vendors That is where your greatest mistake is made, provided of course that you have a moderate amount of time at your dis posal and are not compelled to trade sight unseen" as the boys have it
 These train vendors are posted there for the express purpose of gulling the unwary, of which fact you are made sure as the time passes and the train pulls out; the price of an article de- scends with astonishing rapidity from five dollars to three, or two, or one, and ten chances to one you have the anxious salesman racing along close by your window offering it for 50 cents. They will take a ridiculously small sum at the last with the same smile and gurgling "Gracias'' as they be- slowed for double the amount few moments before.
 There are several small towns II Mexico where drawnwork is almost the sole vocation of the entire population. It is not made in factories nor in open shops, but behind the adobe walls of countless dwellings. A person who wishes to go among the people and buy their wares at first hand does not ques- ton the hotel clerk nor the conductor of the street car, nor the policeman oa the corner. No, you must take your courage and all the assurance you can muster and simply walk in upon the people in their own homes.
 As you walk along the street, bor- dered closely on either side by the straight, unpromising adobe walls, you will see nothing that would guide the most cunning to any conclusion. You must just stroll by until you come . an open door; almost all of these doors open into courtyard, from which the rooms of the house lead.
 You advance still further within, of course smiling in your most winning manner. and asking, "Manteleria?"
 This is the word for drawnwork, or more literally table linen. Possibly you may meet with decided refusal, but just act as though shake of the head, uplifted brows and outspread hands were not transferable into Eng fish, and stand pleasantly smiling but immovable It may be possible that. after reiterated demands, and perhaps a careless walking still further into the "patoir." you see there is really noth- ing to be had. so with small gift of one or two big copper pennies you withdraw to repeat your performance few doors farther on.
 Perhaps at the very next place you may see within an inner room, or may be sitting around the patio. half a