The Cecil Whig., 1874-08-15

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her life. None of US can read or write
| but we don't mind that. You see we dc
cash business and don't need to keeI
books. We don't need to write letters
Newspapers have no charms for US. Oul
| little world is here, and all that is in it we
know. What the white people do We don't
mind so long as they let US alone. We
have our laws and the whites have theirs
from whatever source is given to the treas
urer. The men meet and decide what is
to be done with it. | then make the in
vestments The golden rule is what we &C
by. Every mans wife is his property and
shall be respected as such. We have nc
domestic troubles. Occasionally we are
blamed 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 SO that we may be always to-
gether and be our own bosses. We hate
to be governed by laws, and hence prefer
to be free 10y living in the woods. Oul
boys grow up to DO 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 for
tune telling little by little. Few ever be-
came perfect. My wife, Deborah, received
her gifts from her mother, who was a
queen in her fathers tribe. Mira will be
equally fortunate some time"
In his own way Londo then told his 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 Ger
man population they are known as Ziguen-
er, or as is more commonly pronounced in
this section "Ziginer,'' which literally
means wandering thieves, from Zich Gau-
nsr. They represent themselves, as being
lineal descendants of the original tribe of
Christian penitents who in the early his
tory of the world were driven out of Egypt
by the SaracenS. Tradition has it that
these banished people had their ears pierre
ed, from which depended ring of silver;
their hair then, as now, was black and
crlspy, and their women tall, erect, and
fiery, and were sorcereSses and fortune
telers. They scattered over Europe, in
creased and multiplied, came over to Amer
ica, SO now there may be half million
scattered over the world. A greater part
lead their strolling lives in Europe. pic
lures of which we get from "Guy Man
nering," "Trovatore, Leah, the For
saken," and deborah. - The true gypsy
language is the same that is spoken entire
ly in Hindostan. They are remarkable for
their yellow, brown or rather olive skins,
their jet black hair and eyes, and tile ex-
treme whiteness 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
quickness, and their looks indicate levity
and carelessneSs. The men are horse ira
ders and horse doctors, and tinkcrs will
ing to mend all kinds of utensils. They
are passionately fond of lively music, and
many times they engage in dancing.
The gypsy chief blew shrill whistle
and a little tawny-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 fandango to the sweet
notes of the guitar. Then the children in
the distance organized a party of their
own and in a few. moments the whole camp
was transformed into a ball room, with
MOSES for floor and the emerald archway
of foliage above for ceiling. The beauti-
full girl was the idol of the entire band.
She was as 1.-THE as a cat, and her dancing
was graceful and interesting. The visitors
contributed purse for the man Of music,
and the dancers were applauded. The
gypsy daughter then sang a beautiful
Spanish song and chorus, and accompanied
herself on the guitar. She sings and plays
without notes, but the sound, though crude
and unfinished, is very pleasing and melo-
dious. Then she danced, sang and played
all at the same time, swinging round and
round until the very woods echoed back
the pleasant strains. And when she had
finished her father kissed her and allowed
her to remain with us.
In answer to the questions the chief
gave the following additional information.
They have no old people with them; they
have all been laid to rest under the moss in
the valley and wood Gypsies bury their
dead in the woods they die in. They have
the profoundest respect and regard for the
memory Of their departed friends. 1t is
this feeling that keeps them from doing
wrong They swear by their dead friends
and call upon them to witness any verbal
contract or agreement or declaration they
may choose to make.
Brandy is favorite beverage, and the
men folks use a great deal of tobacco.
Mira smoked cigarettes. and she offered
her fathers visitor daintily twisted paper
cigar which proved to be very fragrant.
They have no form of religion. They
argue that the Supreme Being knows ex-
actly what they want, and if He sees fit
He will give it to them. They silently
thank Him for all they receive. Marriages
are formed in the rudest manner. The
young gypsy lover marries lass when
they are from fifteen to sixteen years of
age. None but gypses intermarry. If a
husband becomes tired of his wife he can
cast her Off if he chooses, but this is very
seldom done. Their affection for children
is so strong that "wives and husbands"
love is sure to follow. The leading gypsy
tribes in existence are the Stanleys, Lovells,
Coopers, Smiths, and the Hernes. The
real gypsics in this country are from the
Herne and Lowell families. There are
about 300 real gypsies in the United States.
CAN YOU SWIM!