The Monticellonian., 1916-10-19

given In communication to
the National Geographic society by
Frank II. Probert Mr.. Probert reveals
the Mexican poems as they are known
only to the American who has lived
among them.
Leaving the walled Enclosure of the
railroad yards, says he. one looks down
on the apparently eramped and crowd
ed city of Guanajuato, capital of the
richest of the south central states of
Mexico Hard by, to the right, is the
bull ring, the scene on Sundays and
ffestas of farcical combats between,
two-legged brutes and four-Iegged
beasts.
In the soft sunshine of summer days
the first vista of the city is striking in-
deed Churches of magnificent proper
lions; ancient and modern architec-
lures strangely blended in the same
edifiee: stately buildings; imposing
markets, stores of all descriptions !;
and dwelling places, rudely bare, vari-
ously eolored with neutral tints of cal
chime, their grated windows and open
doors exhibiting to all the sparse1y
furnished interior where bird, beast
and human eat and live together The
sordid squaior of the many contrasts
strikingly with the oppressive epu-
lence of the few.
The cobblestone streets are crooked
and narrow, so narrow, in fact that
caballeros must take to the sidewalk
to permit of the passing of any kind of
vehicle. The dingy tram ears drawn by
relays of mules, three abreast, beaten
into subsection by the singing lash
or eoaxed into action by the curses of
the youthful drivers, whose vernacular
is wonderfully expressive and effee-
tive; indeed. | doubt if anything but
mule can really appreciate the depth
of feeling and irresistible persuasive
ness of the vile expressions.
Odd Sights in the Streets.
What strange sights one can see in
these main arteries of the city |
have set my camera on the balcony of
my room at the Woods hotel and will
snap what passes by. At first, a herd
of patient-plodding burros loaded down
with slabs of the pale green sandstone
quarried near by and used for build
ing purposes; Il legless cripple shutfies
along on a board, propelling himself
with his hands; cargador trots along
tiBelessly with his awkward burden, in
this case a sewing machine more bur-
ros overloaded with charcoal; another
pack struggles under the weight of
sacked ore from the mines still an
other bearing grain TO the market, and
the street car demanding loudly clear
track; funeral procession where
laughing children carry baby's cas-
ket, swaying from side to side to the
accompaniment of anything but appro-
pirate music, and behind the mourners
In silent solemnity.
Strangely superstitious are these
people Grossly ignorant, constant in
their faith, pathetic in their simplic-
fly, kindly and respectful, their life Is
epitomized in the verse:
Let the world slide, let the world go;
A fig for care and fig for woel
If l can't pay, why | can owe,
And death makes equal the high and
low
Hanging Judas lscariot in Effigy.
Ills Eastern Sunday morning. | am
awakened at early dawn by the footing
of tin horns, accompanied by the so
norous screeches of bass viols and fid-
dies as sounds are sawn from their
strings; by the shutting of sandaled
feet over the stones of the street, and
by the babel of voices of passing poems.
Church bells elang, sirens scream,
whistles wildly mingle in the melody of
merriment; for is not this the day
when Judas Iscariot is to be hung in
etfigy.
A grotesque dummy figure is pa
raded through the town, followed by
the 1eering and cheering crowds, who
have risen early to give expression to
their righteous Indignation against the
betrayer. After cireling the city the
procession halts, Judas is promptly
yanked by the ropes from the bearers