The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-08-29
New York Gypsies.

The real, old original tramp, the
model after whom all others fashion
themselves, is but seldom seen in this
latitude. Occasionally one may per.
ceive in little recess amongst the trees
by the roadside wagon, much resem.
bling the style patronized by peddlers,
drawn upon the grass. To it will be
attached horse or two, lean and scrag-
gy, eagerly enjoying the scant herbage.
Around it are several people of both
sexes whose appearance calls up vague
"reminiscences of "Romany Rye" and
| George Burroughs. Their countenan-
ces are dusky and swarthy, their noses
aquiline, the mouths full with ripe lips
covering glistening teeth, and their
| figures muscular and erect. Their hair
is straight and long, curling at its ex-
tremeties, their eyes black, and spark
ling with lambent light. These are
gypsies-Zingari, whose origin vanish
es in the distance of time and who
claim to be of pure Egyptian descent.
Despite their squalid poverty, despite
| their dirt, one cannot regard without
intent these Arabs of civilization; as no.
madic now as when they first issued
from the mysterious fruitful mother
East during the middle ages. Always
moving, never remaining a week in the
same neighborhood, they are the wan
dering Jews of all countries. Like the
Biblical wind, no man knows whence
they came nor whittier they go. Not
alone the potentiality of romance, but
romance itself clings about them as a
garment. They present a different
phase of the old, old riddle-whence,
why and whittier, and the riddle must go
without an answer for they are singu-
larly uncommunicative. They are al
ways going in the direction of the west.
Of all whom I have ever seen, have
yet to notice the first one moving east
ward. But they reply to no questions.
Be the conversational hook never so
skillfully baited, they are wary and re-
fuse to rise. They will tell you a for
tune with glib mendacity, and prophecy
all manner of interesting events, but
beyond that, nothing. No sign of their
individuality is ever suffered to mingle
with what they say. How they live is
also inexplicable. To be sure, every
gypsy family have seen was invariably
encamped in suspicious proximity to a
cornfeld, but few would grudge them
some ears of that succulent vegetable.
Hen rOosts may be devastated, but COM
plants are seldom heard orchards may
be robbed but the thief remains undis-
covered clothes-lines may be stripped
but the garments do not disappear. No,
l think that on the whole the Zingari
are as honest as most folks, and if they
do sell promises for money they but
initiate many other prince, potentate
and power. Vague speculation arise at
their sight for they are grave and So
lemn people, not often smiling, less fire.
quantity laughing, apparently holding
with those who believe in the porten-
tious effect of continual gravity-oblivi-
Gus of Zeno's sage remark that the
gravest bird is the owl the gravest ami
NAL the jackass, and the gravest man q
fool. AS have said, the gypsies never
remain in one place more than three
days, then the horse is hitched to the
wagon, the smart, dusky figures get in-
side and the little caravan moves slowly
on towards the setting sun and are only
remembered by trodden grass and
small circle of charred sticks and black
ened ashes. They Z" come like shadows,
so depart" fading away into the dim
twilight of romantic mystery which is
their most fitting habitation.-Arca-
dian.