The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16

Inc men meet and decide Whit is to be
done with it. / then make the invest.
ments. The golden rule is what we &c
by. Every mans wife is his property
and shall be respected as such. We
have no domestic troubles. Occasion-
ally we are blamad for stealing and
marauding, but there is no truth in it.
We worship God in our own way. and
believe that He will care for us in the
end. We live in tents in the woods
that we may be always together and be
our own bosses. We hate to be gov
erned by laws, and hence prefer to be
free by living in the woods. Our boys
grow up to be the most expert horse
traders in the land. We put them to
work very early. First they learn to
lead horse to water, then to feed him,
then to ride, then to Clean, and then to
harness him. Following this, they are
taught all the points about horse, and
when they reach manhood they are
perfectly informed in the business. The
girls are taught fortune telling little
by little. Few ever become perfect.
MY wife, Deborah, received her gifts
from her mother, who was Queen in
her fathers tribe. Mira will be equally
fortunate some time"
In his own way Londo then told the
story of the gypsy tribe. What he
knew his father had told him. He had
received it from his grandfather. In
this way it had been handed down from
father to son. He said their people
were to be found in Asia, Europe, and
America. Among the German popula-
tion they are known as Zi9uener, or, as
is more commonly pronounced in this
section, "Zig-i-ner," which literally
means wandering thieves from Zieh
Gauner. They represent themselves
as being lineal descendants of the or
iginal tribe of Christian penitents who
in the early history of the world were
driven out of Egypt by the Saracens.
Tradition has it that these banished
people had their ears pierced, from
which depended ring of silver their
halr then, as now, was black and crispy,
and their women tall, erect, and fiery,
and were sCIt.rcsses and fortune tellers.
They scattered over Europe, increased
and multiplied, came over to America,
sothat now there may be half million
scattered over the world. A greater
part lead their strolling lives in Europe,
pictures of which we get from Guy
Mannering," " "Trovatore, q" Leah, the
Forsaken," and Deborah" The true
gypsy language is the same that is
spoken entirely in Hindostan. They
are remarkable for their yellow, brown
or rather olive skins, their jet black
hair and eyes, and the extreme white.
ness of their teeth. Many of the gypsy
girls in Spain are considered beauties.
Mira has Castilian features. They are
noted for the symmetry of their limbs.
They have much elasticity and quick
ness, and their looks indicate levity and
carelessness. The men are horse traders
and horse doctors, and tinkers willing
to mend all kinds of utensils. They
are passionately fond of lively music,
and many times they engage in dane
ing
The gypsy chief blew a shrill whistle
and little tawney skinned fellow came
hopping to where we sat. Londo gave
orders for music, and a gypsy man
came out with guitar. Mira shortly
followed, and Immediately commenced
dancing a wild, weird, fantastic fan.
dango to the sweet notes of the guitar.
Then the children in the distance or.
ganized party of their own and in g
few moments the whole camp was
transformed into q ball room, with
MOSES for floor .and the emerald
archway of foliage above for ceiling.
The beautiful girl was the idol of the
entire band. She was 1.-THE as a cat
and her dancing was graceful and in.
teresting. The visitors contributed 6
purse for the man of music, and the
dancers were applauded. The gypsy
daughter then sang beautiful Spanish
song and chorus, and accompanied her
sell on the guitar. She sings and plays
without notes, but the sound, though
crude and unfinished, is very pleasing
and m 'lodious. Then she danced an6
sang and leyed all at the same time
swinging round and round until the
very woods &c oed back the pleasan
strains. And when she had finished
her father kissed ber and allowed hel
to remain with us.
In answer to questions the chief CAV,
the following additional information
They have no old people VITA them
they have all been laid to rest under
the moss in the valley and wood. Gyp
sizes bury their dead in the woods they
die in. They have the profoundest re
spect and regard for the memory o
their departed friends. It is this feel
ing that keeps them from doing wrong
They swear by their dead friends, ant
call upon them to witness any verba
contract or agreement or declaration
they may choose to make.
The men folks use a great deal of to
bacco. Mira smoked cigarettes, and sh,
offered her fathers visitor daintil,
twisted paper cigar, which proved to b,
very fragrant. They have no form o
religion. They argue that the Suprem,
Being knows exactly what they want
and if He sees fit He will give it t.
them. They silently thank Him for al
they receive. Marriages are formed il
the rudest manner. The young gyps,
lover marries lass when they are from
fifteen to sixteen years of age. Nom
but gypsies intermarry. If HUSBAND
becomes tired of his wife he can cas-
her off if he chooses, but this is yer,
seldom done. Their affection for chill
dren is SO strong that wives and hus
bands love are sure to follow. TIL
leading gypsy tribes in existence ar
the Stanleys, Lovells, Coopers, Smiths
and the Hernes. The real gypsies il
this country are from the Herne an,
Lowell families. There are about 80
real ovnsies in the Tinted Ststea