Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... imploring for a centavo; American young sports throwing a c'entavo, which they get at the border two hundred for a dollar, among a.lot of ragged, barefooted urchins, and watch them scramble for it like if their very lives depended on that coin, and so the time passes on until the City of Mexico is reached, on the..third day of departure from the border..: Chapter II. CITY OF MEXICO. The traveler Nm arriving in the City of Mexico does not meet with the friendly jehu who offers him a "free ride' in consideration of his stopping at' a' certain hotel--instead, he encounters a mob of "Cargadores, ' who seem to be as plentiful as real estate sighs on a, Los Angeles vacant lot. These, are the-peons, with long ropes around their necks, who offer to carry any-, thing for you, from a hand bag to a Saratoga trunk, for a small consideration. These people seem to possess superhuman strength, as there is nothing too heavy for them to carry any desired distance. The Mexican Central R.R. Depot presents a very gloomy aspect, as it resembles an"61d-time horse shed; the neighborhood is also not inviting--all these add to the forlorn condition of the stranger with limited means, who does not know which way to turn. On looking around for accommodation, I found that, relatively, living expenses are considerably higher than in the United States. The Mexicans blame the Americans for this, as they say the latter are willing to part with their money and they are readily accommodated. I secured temporary lodging in a place called "American House." This is a misnomer, as the only American there is the landlady, who is only visible when she collects the rent, and I do not even remember the color of her hair; the help is all Mexican, and it must be inconvenient for...