Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-02
MEXICO As A HOBO RESORT
Tourists Find Life There Easy, with
Drinks Cheap and Potent,
JAIL SYSTEM Is UNPLEASANT
Native Beverages that Are as Dyna-
mite and Liquid Fire-samples
of American Tramps who
Infest Mexican Capital.

MEXICO CITY, April 1o-The tourist
season In Mexico Is gradually waning
and the citizen Of the United States living
here, while regretting the departure Of the
sometimes trying but always opulent
tourist, is happy In the thought that his
exodus will also mark the flight Of the
American hobo.
No spot on the globe IL safe from the
invasion Of the tramp IL It be accessible
by rail, and Mexico city, although many
eagues from the border Of the United
States, Is no exception to the rule. He
crosses the Rio Grande at Eel Paso. Eagle
Pass and Laredo. A knowledge Of Span
ish, while helpful is by no means a neces-
sity. as his victim is invariably one OF his
own countrymen.
The men in charge of the train crews are
usually Americans, and few Of them are
10 ninty hearted as to ditch him In a
foreign country. Arriving at the capital
he Of course finds many people who speak
English. San Juan de Letran, Sen Fran
cisco and Independence streets are in
tested with American tramps and the dis
bursement OF the tourist on this account
Is a considerable item OF his travelling
expenses.
"'scuse me, mister, I'm a 'Merican ciu-
gen Kin yer stake me to a piece OF
changer"
This is his usual salutation, and you
turn and discover a scarecrow that puts
20 shame even the Mexican peon. The
s~artorial effects achieved by the hobo in
his own country are often wonderful to
behold, but after a thousand mile trip
through the cactus of the Mexican plateau
he has Weary Willie backed up against
the wall and strangled to death.
sacriIeEe In Signs.
Hand him a little change and follow him.
He will lead you into the native quarter
and disappear into a saloon bearing per-
haps the inscription over the door.
"Bueno TEMPO de Jesus" and this Is
likely to be on Holy Ghost street.
Here he may obtain for less money
than anywhere else on earth varied as
eortment OF drink that will make a man
go home and rob his own trunk and think
he is getting away with 1t. For Mexico
is undoubtedly the paradise of the thirsty
man.
There is a wonderful plant Indigenous
to Mexico which Is responsible for this
state of affairs, called the maguey, q
large variety of the cactus family, which
when they get 1t up in the states they dub
the century plant. This plant will grow
anywhere apparently without help from
man or water. TT more uninviting the
land the more II flourished and 1t will not
be denied existence even where a scorpion
or a centipede would scorn to abide. And
this plant is the fountainhead Of Mexican
intoxicants, than which there are no more
terrific under the sun.
When the plant has reached the age OF
D years the large central stalk is cut away.
leaving a hollow holding approximately
from three quarts TO a gallon. Each
morning this will be found filled with a
sweet. nutty liquid called aqua miel
Csweet water), Notwithstanding and very
refreshing.
In twenty-four hours, If removed from
the cavity, It will ferment and this fer
mented liquid lie called pulque, resembling
In appearance and tasting somewhat like
sour buttermilk. Our friend the tramp
can get a drink of this much larger than
anything the Bowery or South Clark
street has to offer for three cents Next
car. 1t is possible to get a beautiful
souse on by means of this stuff, but a man
needs all the seven stomachs OF a camel
to hold 1t.
PuIque Puns EN- Up.
Pulque when distilled is known az
mescaL A whisky glassful of this dyna-
mite and the tramp wants to go out 10
the bullring and show the toreros some
new stunts; two of them and he starts
to remodel Don Porfirio's Government:
three and he'll head q revolutionary party
for Central America, and four, the finish,
lands him in the comisaria.
A redistillauon OF mezcal gives a dia.
boical liquefied fire known as tequila. A
Mexican can handle tequila to a mild ex.
tent and 1t has cost centuries of appIica-
ton and constant practice to bring him &c
this state OF perfection. but an American
never! Each ounce OF this is guaranteed tc
contain six disputes, three fights, two head.
aches and a jail sentence.
A Jail sentence In Mexico. by the wav
is not exactly a delightful diversion. They
have an institution here known as Belem
When Mr.. Tramp goes to Belem he Il
placed In a room which for simplicity is q
sure winner. 1t is simply a cell eoptai1lnI
absolutely nothing but a floor, a ceiling
four walls and a bad smell.
Here he must stay for saventy-two hours
strictly incommunicado. which means tina
in all that time he speaks TO no one. II
fact, does not even hear a human voice
It's a great corrector for the everexuberan
and a guaranteed panacea for all kinds o
skates, tequila and otherwise. The tram
Is not considered a citizen by his frat unit
he has done his s~eventy-two."
Not at All Cast Down.
Some OF the stories they hand out are al
insult to ones intelligence. For instance:
Hello, ole sport; guess didn't see yoI
before. hey? Say, I'm Pedestrian Pete
Know bout me. don't you? No? That
funny.
why. I'm walkin' round the world 70
the cup offered by the N'York Athleti
club an a ten thousan' dollar purse. IN
payin' me respects to all the 'Merican
goin' through. Got In from GuadalaJar
las night an l gotter beat 1t fer Very
cruz termorrer to live up to me schedule.
NJ eantrae' pervides that / gotter go tn
whole hog on me nolve, an 1t is sure
tough proposition. But I'm goin' ter b
champeen II II kills me.
Say, fer the honor OF Merioan athletic
kin yer pass me some coin7 I'm all in"
Pete, by the way, looks as much like a
athlete as a Mexican dime
double eagle. and his wonderful globe trot