Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-07-10
THE CURIOSITIES OF A
GIPSYsS CAMP.


Much has been said and written
concerning the nomadic life of
those people known as Gypsies. -
At this season a. fhe year Penn
sylvania is par populated with
them. Several miles around Rea-
ding no less than a half dozen
bands were encamped this week.
The largest camp was In the woods
back Of Dengler's tavern, about a
half mile from Heiner Wissel's.- =
They own the most costly wagons,
the best horses, and their furni-
ture, utensils and general outfit
was far above anything ever seen
| in this section
An Eagle reporter had quite a
lengthy conversation with the re-
preventative man Of the camp
There was a cool and refreshing
breeze blowing through the young
green foliage OF the camp, and
while the people of Reading were
Isweltering with the mercury la
the thermometer in d much high
er story than 1t has been accustorn-
ed to inhabit for the past month,
the men, women and children OF
the gipsey camp were enjoying
themselves the same as If it were
autumn time.
You see.n said the man, ahere
we're living In the woods. Here 1t
Is cool, while in the city IL is fear
fully hot. But. come over here, /
want to.ahow you a curiosity be-
fore we talk about camp life la the
woods. This Is Mrs. Guy and Mrs.
McAnally, for such was the Clip
scys' name, Introducing the repor.
ter to very pleasant little woman
with sandy hair, who was sitting
on the ground. She held In her
arms a tiny little infant. The man
said: /" You see that little doll ba-
by? 1t weighs just two pounds and
y half, and Is two weeks old TO-
day.
The mother held The little inno-
cent up and balanced 1t on one
hand. 1t was the tiniest little
thing imaginable. Its little head
is the size Of d base bal, and 1t is
covered with hair the color of its
mothers. Its little arms are about
as thick as q candle, and the color
a pink rose. Its hands you could
almost put on an old penny, and
its feet could be almost laid In the
palm of lady's hand. It's neck is
two inches in diameter, and its
body about as thick around as a
mans forearm. II was sleeping.
Its dress was of white linen, and
there Is no question but that it is
the tiniest Gipsey in christendom.
The mother is a stout, healthy wo-
man, about So years Of age. She
spoke pleasantly about her little
one, and said that by-and-by IL
would take to growing, the same
as anything else would after rain
fall
Standing near the group of Clip
sey women and children, was q
very large wagon. 1t looked very
much like one of those beautiful
affairs generally seen with circus
companies. It was open for an
airing. The aisIes were covered
with the most elegant BLANKETS
The body was large, and extended
out over the wheels. 1t was sup
ported by heavy springs. The wa
gon was fitted up as a bed room. -
1t was as beautiful as a new bridal
chamber, and Mrs. Guy smiled APP
provingly when the reporter men,
toned the comparison. Yes, sir
she said, you guessed 1t pretty
well. That Is our bridal chamber.
My husbands and NINE
A peep inside showed every
thing as neat and as clean as could
be. The bedstead was of walnut.
and bedding of the finest linen.-
The walls were ornamented, and
the best kind of carpet was on the
floor. Looking-glasses, wardrobe,
closets, dressing cases, and every
thing generally seen in a first-cIass
bedroom was here. The wagon
was specially builtfor The party In
Frederick, Md, and cost 500 In
cash.
Inc beu room WAS u1YluCG on
from the front part Of the wagon,
which Is occupied by the drivers
position The leather curtains
around the wagon were al thrown
up yesterday, and il seemed as If
hotel bridal chamber had been
suddenly brought out there. The
wagon body outside is painted and
vanished In The most costly man.
ner, and the gliding and orna-
mental work is very neat. The
vehicle is large and roomy and
seems much out of place in the
woods. The owner came along
shortly, and he expressed himself
as follows: "I live In the woods
and move around from one place
to another. / want to 1--we with
all the comforts / can provide, and
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