Page:Village life in Korea (1911).djvu/177

Rh Our village merchant takes his line of goods, whatever it may be, and goes out on the round of the markets, attending one every day, often returning to the same place every fifth day. If he is able to afford it, he will have a pony, cow, or a donkey, on which he will carry as much of his stock as he can, and the remainder will be carried on his own back. Those not able to afford a beast of burden carry their entire stock from place to place each day. Many of the farmers who are not regular merchants appear at the market for the purpose of selling produce or buying goods.

Here in one place is to be seen the rice merchant with his stock in straw bags, and near by is the salt merchant with his stock spread out on a straw mat with the measuring box lying by. This salt has probably been carried on his donkey or on his own back for a distance of a hundred or more miles. It has all been made on the coast, and must find its way inland as best it can. It has probably had a long ride up the river by native boat, and from there across the mountains and through the valleys it has been carried on the backs of men and beasts. There is the pot peddler with his wares, and the man with the brassware, including spoons and chopsticks. These pot peddlers often have their wives and children with them, every one loaded with just as much as he can carry, the men and boys carrying their wares on a jiggy and the women and girls carrying theirs on their heads. The mother is sometimes seen with a heavy load of the pots on her head, while the baby is strapped on her