Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-09
WOttrster Daily Spp
The CoverIy GlpsIes.
BY ADDISON.


Sempergue recentes,
Conrectare Jtsrdt prdedaS 4 riuere rcptS.-VIRGIL.
As was Yesterday riding out in the Fields
with my Friend Sir Roger, we saw at little
Distance from us Troop of Gipsies. Upon
the first Discovery of them, my Friend was
in some doubt whether he should not exert the
Justice Of the Peace npon such Band of Law
less Migrants but not having his Clerk with
him, who is a necessary Counsellor on these
Occasions, and fearing that his Poultry might
fare the worse for it, he let the Thought drop;
but at the same time gave me a particularAc-
count of the Mischiefs they do in the Coun.
try, in stealing Peoples Goods, and spelling
their Servants. If stray Piece Of Linen
hangs upon-a Hedge, says Sir Roger, they are
sure to have it; If the Hog loses his Way in
the Fields, it is ten TO one but he becomes
their Prey; our Geese can not live in Peace
for them; if Man prosecutes them with Se-
verify, his Henroost is sure to pay for it;
They generally straggle into these Parts
about this Time of the year; and set tie
Heads of our Servant Maids so agog for Hus-
bands, that we do not expect to have any
Business done as it should be whilst they ate
in the Country. | have an honest DAIRY
maid who crosses their handswith a Piece of ST.
yer every Summer, and never fails being prom
ised the haudsomest young Fellow in the Par
ish for her pains. Your Friend the Butler, has
been Fare enough to be seduced by them
and though he is sure to lose Knife, ForE,
or Spoon every time his fortune is told him,
generally shuts himself up in the Pantry with
an old Gypsy tor above half an hour, once ina
twelvemonth. Sweet hearts are the things
they live upon, which they bestow very plen-
tifully upon all those that apply themselves to
them. You see now and then some handsome
ladies tbpO1 Tho c1Otc have
very often white Teeth and black Eyes.
Sir ROGER observing that l listened with
great Attention to his Account of a People
who were so entirely new to me, told me,
That if | would they should tell us our For
tunes. As was very well pleased with the
Knights Proposal, we rid up and cOmmtni
Gated our bands to them. A CaSsandYa of
the Crew, after having examined my Lines
very diligently, told me, That l loved pptty
Maid in a Corner, that was good Wonhn's
Man, with some other particulars which
l do not think proper to relate. My Friend
Sir ROGER alighted from his horse, and
exposed his palm to two or three
that stood by him, thsy crumpled it
into all Shapes, and diligently scanned lev-
cry Wrinkle that could be made in it; when
one ofthem who was older and more Sunburnt
than the rest, told him, That he hada Widow
IN his Line OF Life; upon which the Knight
cried, Go, go, you are an idle Baggage; and
at the same time smiled upon me-. Che Gypsy
finding he was not displeased in lis Heart,
told him, after farther Inquiry intohis Hand,
that his True-love was constant, and that she
should dream of him tonight; My old Friend
cried Pish, and bid her go on. Th4 Gypsy told
him that he was a Bachelor, but would not be
so long; and that he was dearer to somebody
than he thought; The Knight still repeated
Che was an idle Baggage, and bid her go on
~, Master, said the Gypsy, that rbguish Leer
yours makes pretty Woman's Heart axe;
pu liant that shipper about the Mouth for
lothing-. The uncouth Gilberish with
which all this was uttered. like tile Darkness
OF an Oracle, made us the more attentive to
1t. To be short, The Knight left the Money
with her that he had crossed her Hand with,
and got up again on his Horse
AS we were riding away Sir ROGER told me
that he knew several sensible People who be-
heved these gipsies nov and then foretold
very strange things; and for help and honor
together appeared more jocund than ordinary.
In the Height of his Good Humor, meeting a
common Beggar on the Road who was no
ConJuror, as he went to relieve him he found
that his pocket was Jpi cked That being a
Kind of Palmistry at which this Race of Yer
min are very dexterous. a