The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-28

but Barcelonnette has long been wise
to the world.
Nearly eighty years ago a handful
Of the hardy mountaineers 81 one OF
the loftiest valleys Of the French Alps
discarded preCarious livelihood CLEANED
from meagre patches OF stuntod grain
and a few cattle sheltered in the crew
ices of the neighboring towering peaks.
and with stick in hand. meagre pack
on back. a more meagre wallet in belt.
dropped down from their poor stone
huts OF the then bleak little hamlet OF
Barcelonnette. They stopped at Lyons
on their way out, pooled their little
savings and bought a few yards of silk
and bright ribbons. stuffed them into
their packs, tramped westward across
France and shipped before the mast
Of a sailing ship at Bordeaux and set
out on the trail Of fortune in Mexico.
Thus began the French commercial in
vasion Of Mexico.
First the Barcelonnettes pushed their
small stocks OF goods abou; in hand
barrows at Vera Cruz, doing business
from house to house. They worked
laboriously up the coast as far as Tam
plco and then pushed up 800 miles OF
mountain trails to an altitude Of 5000
feet and brought French fashions into
Mexico city itself.
Business was good. The news was
sent back home and the silver coins Of
Mexico began to be passed curlously
around the little village OF Barcelon-
nette. Prosperity. bred in the new
world. loosened poverty's grip on the
little old world mountain valley, and
brothers and cousins and friends were
sent for 10 come out and share In the
work and good fortune. Then II got 10
be the Barcelonnette habit. where things
wee still ordered by the patriarchal
system, for the eldest son only to re-
main at home to look after family in
terests, all the others being destined for
Mexico, and as families averaged a
round dozen emigration to Mexico never
tagged.
From baby hood the boys Of BARGE
lonnette were trained 10 their vocation.
Mexico" was among the first words
they lisped as during the long winters
about the hearthstone they became
STEPPED in the wild tales OF the Land
OF the Sun, the prowess Of those who
had gone before and the fortunes that
awaited them when they could join the
Americans" as they always called the
Mexican BarCelonnettes. At twelve or
fourteen years old they were sent out
with little education. but with the en-
bodiment Of endurance, tenac!ty and
perseverance. backed by the uncompli-
Gated code OF morals of the simple
mountaineer. proudly fortified by the
saying current throughout the French
Alps that "Barcelonnette has ever beer
synonymous with work, straightforward
intelligence and honor"
Business in Mexico continued good
The little hand OF Barcelonnettes were
soon in control Of the dry goods trade
in Mexico, not only in silk fabrics. bu
in clothing. linens and laces, leather
goods and hats. They established de-
par,ment stores that took rank will
those OF Paris. They founded indus
trial companies, organized manufacto
ries. They have a cloth factory to-da!
IN Orizaba which employs FIVE thousanC
workpeople and another at Vera CRU
with three thousand workers Their
are the big clothing industries OF Mex
leo city, OF Vera Cruz, Tampico an,
Acapulco.
Not only have they cUrnered the Mexi