The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-24

gang of Gipsies, consisting of three or four
families, have been for some weeks occupying
the large brick building the stone warehouse in
the neighborhood OF the Observatory whittier have
been attracted many creduous persons-men and
women, boys and girls-under belief that these
vagabonds had the power to toreten their fate in
life. Other portions Of the tribe have been in
Georgetown, and perhaps some there yet
circumstance has lately occupied the attention OF
our police and its publication may tend to put
people their guard against these people, and also
to dissipate the foolish credulity which induces
persons to put faith in fortune telling.
These Gipsies were some weeks ago encamped near
Bristol post Office, Anne Arundel county Maryland,
and the women, as we are informed, did q thriving
business at fortune telling. A store having been
broken open and robbed in the neighborhood, and
no clue to the robbers being found, resort was had
by Of the parties to the leading Gypsy woman,
to see if she could put them on the trail of the rob-
beers. Amongst the many who visited her for this
purpose was Captain Robert Perry gentleman of
respectable standing OF considerable means and
hitherto considered sharp enough to protect himself
from folly in the business affairs Of life.
Captain Perry was selected by the Gypsy as
victim. She told him that on his farm was secreted
a treasure, the enormous value of which he could
scarcely conceive, and that II he would grant her
a private interview at his house she would dis
cover to him the means OF securing it. He con-
scented, and they met, according to appointment.
She told him that she could proceed no further
current money. Captain p said that he had not
that much in his possession, all he had being
1885. The Gypsy was firm, and declared she
could not disclose the secret without the full sum.
The suspicious Of Captain p. were partly aroused;
ut the prospect of future wealth proved too strong
for his scruples, and he promised to borrow the
balance of the required sum, and appointed another
day for the meeting, being somewhat assured that
there was danger Of loss as the money was at no
time to be taken from his possession. At the next
meeting Captain Perry was present with slO35, he
having borrowed 5000. The money was counted,
placed in shotrbag, enyeloped in brown paper and
again wrapped in cotton cloth, and was placed in
trunk, which was locked, and the key taken by
Perry. 1t was there to remain for some days. Ia
three days the Gypsy returned and she and Perry had
an interview alone. The trunk was opened, and the
bundle was found exactly as it had been placed He
required then to go upon his knees in order that
her ncantations performed over the trunk and money
cloak fell upon the trunk hut she quickly replaced it
OH her shoulders. The mysterious proceeding being
over, Perry called to examine the trunk, and
found it all right; he relocked it, and pocketed the
key. He was now told that the work was done, and
that on the ninth day she would return and if the
money, &C.. in the trunk were all right, she would be
at liberty to point ont to him the exact location OF
the treasure on his farm. She further told him that
if she were detained by sickness or other cause, he
was to open the trunk himself, and would find the
necessary Instructions. 1t can scarcely be credited
that man possessing his ordinary senses could
have been so led away by the hope Of gain; yet it Isl
true that the trunk sacredy kept closed for the
ninth day, Ca Saturday, and the Gypsy did not re-
turn Preerring to receive ocular realization of his
hopes ny the personal aid OF the Gypsy, to trusting
TO written instructions from the invisible world he
delayed opening the trunk, in hopes Of her reappear
ing till last Monday. He then unlocked it, took out
the bundle, removed the various wrappings, and
found shot bag, which he hastily opened, and
found-some two hundred cOppers and few leaves
of tobacco! The Gypsy had substituted this bundle
for the one containing his money.
Without informing his family or friends Of his mis-
hap he obtained the services OF two three persons,
and mounted they FASTENED TO this city in pursuit of
the Gpses it being stated they had come this way.
Asceraining that some OF them residing in the
First ward he stated the above facts to Justice
Drury, who issued warrant to search the premises
of the Gipsies.
The officers visited the place, and the appearance
ofthe parties presented the most squald and wretched
poverty; furniture, some beds thrown on the
floor was found in the house. Two of the beds were
occupied by women in confinement. No obstacle
presented to the search; and tied up in handker
chiefs, rags, in tin kettles boxes, &C., the officers
found large quantities Of gold and silver CON- amount
ing, it is said. to at least $4,000. Captain Perry
could identify of his moneythe greater portion
Of it having been in bills Of Baltimore banks-nor
could he identify either of the women here, as the
woman who had promised him the treasure. Since
then, with the aid of several officers he has been
securing the ncighborng counties Of Virginia and
Maryland, but. up to last night had obtained no
nowlodgc OF his fortune teller.