The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-08-14

who has been spending week IN North
ern PENNSYLVANIA, arrived In this city last
night. He tells the story of a fearful trag-
edy that occurred In the wilderness Of that
region on Sunday night. The tragedy
was brought To light by the statement of a
gypsy named ChristopL POlombo, the
truth OF which Is being investigated.
Polombo said in his deposition before
Justice Martin at Mount Pleasant. Pa,
that he is native of Portugal. He de
serted from the navy OF thar country fiji
teen years ago, and fled to England. There
he joined party OF gypsies which Were
on their way 10 London. whence they
were 10 proceed 10 America. I'm London
one OF the women belonging To the band
/ kidnapped a little girl about TWO years old.
\ The child was dressed in "A style which
showed that she belonged To parents OF
wealth and position. A diamond lockct
and other ornaments We're on her person,
but nothing about her showed her identi-
ty. She was kept by the gypsies and taken
with them across the ocean.
On arriving i'm this country the band led
I the life usual with the race. They roamed
over the country. the stolen child in course
of time growing into beautiful woman.
! Her many attractions drew many dollars
into the gypsy treasury. as she told for
tunes and sold little trinkets wherever the
party camped.
I The leader or captain of the band was
genuine Gypsy. His name was Moro, and
he reigned like a monarch in his camp.
The stolen girl had been given the name of
Esmondela.
! When she grew TO be a woman. Moro
desired to make her his wife. according TO
gypsy custom. but she resented his offer
/ with a determination that showed the
blood that filed her veins.
Last spring the party being encamped
near Baltimore, the beauty of EsmOndela
became notorious, and the young men OF
the neighborhood showered her with gifts.
One young man. whom his companions
called Frank. formed violent attachment
for the fascinating gypsy girl. and she re-
ciprocated his passion. lie was apparently
a member of the best society, and had the
bearing of a gentleman.
When the gypsies struck their tent 10
depart from the locality, this young man
announced his determination 20 accompa-
ny them, and Esmondela threatened TO
forsake the party If he was not allowed 10
go with them. Frank consequently joined
the gypsies. and led their wild life for the
sake of enjoying The presence of his in
amorata.
Moro became moody and sullen, and sell
dom spoke. Last week they passed
through Northern Pennsylvania. While
camping in the wilderness, the exact spot
now being sought for, Frank returned Ia
camp from short tramp down a stream
near by, and found Esmondela weeping
and Moro standing near her flushed and
angry.
The young man walked up 10 the gypsy
chief and demanded the cause of the young
girls trouble. Moro did not reply but
struck Frank in the face. In an instant
the young mans pistol was leveled at the
gypsy, and but for the interference of Po-
lombo. who caught the formers arm,
would have shot him dead. As il was the
ball passed harmlessly over his head.
Quick a thought the gypsy drew dirk,
and sprang toward Frank, whose arm was
still held by Polombo. Esmondela. seeing
her lovers peril, rushed between him and
Moro. and the knife of the latter sank deep
into the gypsy girls neck. She sank bleed
ing TO the ground. Moro stepped over
her body, and drove his knife TO the hilt
into his rivals breast. He then fled the
camp. Polombo and a gypsy woman were
left alone with sne wounded couple. IL
was growing dark, and the spot seemed
filed with terrors.
Polombo and the woman soon raised
the young man and girl, and placed them
on bed made in the wagon. They en-
deavored 10 staunch the blood that was
gushing from both their wounds. While
they were thus engaged, Moro returned TO
camp. He was apparently suffering all
the pangs of remorse. and when, a short
time afterward, Esmondela died, he became
almost crazed.
About midnight Moro dug grave in the
woods, and i'm il the dead body of the muir
dered girl was laid and buried. The party
then attempted to push on away from the
spot. but got only a short distance. owing
to the darkness. The wounded young
man was then alive, and Polombo, believ-
ing he was dying. resolved To leave the
scene of the horrid tragedy. its victims. and
search of wood, and when out of hearing
ran rapidly away.
Polombo arrived mt Mount Pleasant, Pa,
yesterday morning early. The gypsy
party had camped near there last week and
every one remembered the beautiful for
tune teller and her reticent lover. The
statement made by Polombo, therefore,
created the most intense excitement. At
ter bis examination. he started with party
and an officer to pilot the way 10 the scene
of the alleged tragedy, and to find traces OF
Moro.
Polombo's statement finds many believ-
ers. but there are some who profess TO see
inconsistencies In the narrative that leave
It's truth open TO question. Investigation
may prove the truth of the story, but 1t Is
not probable that il will ever reveal the
mystery of Esmondela's birth. The iden-
tity of the man Frank. however. may be
established