The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-08-26
From Chambers Journal,
THE GIPSY'S WIFE.

The G1PSX'S WIFE,
osoo~>o
| live in an old, tumble-down house, not n
great many miles from London, and on the
borders of furry common. Before the age
Of steam locomotion, this was considered the
country and even now, there is one solitary
spot where from messy knobs rising beneath
cumps ofantique trees, we overlook n per
tectly retired and sylvan scene, A sparkling
stream, like silver thread, winds its way a
mid rich pasture land and thick beech plan
tutiens an ivyed spire, furnished with peal
of soft musical bells, peeps forth from dis
tant village and in the summer evening time
it is pleasant TO rest on those messy knobs,
and listen 10 the sad, distant music.
The ruins ofan old church may be traced
from this point wild roses and cglautne are
around us, with violets and blue bells; n
sweet honcysickle porch is seen leading 10 n
lowly-thatched hut; and there are lowing kline
and bleating flocks by our side and in the
distance. In this there is nothing wonderful
but only turn back not many hundred yards,
and seek another point, from whence 10 view
n very different and more wdely-eXtended
panorama the vast Wilderness Of London,
ST. Paurs, Westminster Abbey hosts ofstee-
pies. myriads Of chimneys, armies of masIs
and shipping clustering on the almost chuck-
ed up and hidden river, good old Thames
in fine, smoke, fog and misery without end
Seen from this common, there The sun sets
but the holy moon rises behind the tall trees
and the old church, which can reach ia less
time than have taken to gossip about it,
Royalty for many years found n secluded and
peaceful home on this ancient common,
famed alike in history and legendary
lore ; but know not if the ears of royal
~ were ever assailed 10y the same unearth-
~ yels and holdings which so often disturb
our retirement, and remind us of the dcscrp-
tons we have read of the war-whoops of the
Indian savages, The explanation is, that
there are several stands of doulieys, where
these animals are let out for hire, on differ
ent parts of the common; and the general
assembnge, or ground emporium, is close 10
the garden wall which bounds the domain
once honored by n royal presence.
One evening during the pnst summer, as
was returning from ramhe by the side of a
dear invalid, who was drawn about in hand
carriage, two ragged little girls loitered a.
round our gate from idle curiosity, to watch
the occupant of the pretty green chariot as
sisted into the house. | was struck by the
appearance of the elder of the two for al
though with n quantity of united black hair
very dirty face, and still drter hahilments
could trace Il singular lovclincss fboth form
and feature. She had large, languishing blue
eyes, shaded hy long, black, silkcn lashcs
but Notwithstanding this, the gypsy physiog-
nomy was decided; and us there were many
Of that tribe in the neighborhood, doubted
not that these Migrants were wanderers from
their tents. After RECALLING the poor little
things with some tempting cakes, asked the
beauty her name, when she answered with
distinctness and propriety 'MazeIli Lee,
please maam.'
And what is your fiither,my dear ~ said
Fathers gypsy ma'am.'
And your mother is gypsy, too, | sup
pose, my dear =
No, mothers lady, aud drives donkeys,
please maam.'
pressed the child TO try and explain her
meaning but all the answer could get was,
"Mothcr's lady, aud keeps donkeys." She
made me comprehend that the smallest and
most exclusive donkeys stand on the border
Of the common, nearest our house, belong
ed to her mother; g. that her only hrother,a
little bigger than herself was also an assis-
tant in the business. She said their home
was not very far off.-"n the pits near the
caverns," where n miserable collection of
huts had been from limo immemorial. More
over, on questioning Lnzelli further, found
she regularly attended the Rev. Mr. DIS Sun
day school, knew her catcchism, sand said
her prayers every night, when mother wash
ed her face" hoped that portion ofthe lat.
ter statement was true, but the face washing
seemed quite incredible.
My curiosity was aroused; and the next
day walked close past the donkeys stand
which Mazelli Lee had described as being
kept by her mother, "the lady )" aud then
observed an individual whom had often seen
before, but without noticing hsr particularly
or giving her second thought. This indi.
Yidual was a woman still young and good
looking, with the fresh color of uncloudec
health lighting up her blue eyes-eyes a
most as beautiful MS the little Mazelli's-ant
with an ANXIOUS expression fitting sometime:
across tho vacant hut good humored comp"
sure, which was the leading character Of the
conntenance.
Her appearance was not mt all that OF &
conventional heroine ofromance yet could
not help fanGying that there was somewhat
ofdifferent breeding, shown by her genera
bearing aud msiudied attitudes, from tina
usually displayed by tho race of her bolster
Gus calling. Her two girls were squntted OF
the grass beside her and handsome speci
men ola real ,genuine-lookin good-for-noIh
ing gypsy man was lollng at his ease neal
the group, in supreme enjoyment ot pipe
| did not like to speak TO the mother and heI
daughters under these circumstances, be
cause not patrGnizing donkcys, and being AT
nhabitant, it was not perhaps very ogFeea
pie or safe acquaintance to form but Mazel
knew me directly, and came bounding for
ward. while the woman curtisicd silently ,and
without the usual yociicralious Of" Donkey