The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-07-20

forms of the crouching people about me.
INITIATED.
"Then was led to the spring, and
was told to battle my hands, face, tenn
pies and neck. For the first time in my
life 1 used silk towel, which he hand
ed me. He poured cold water on my
head, and then l sat down on camp
stool. Two young girls then came up
and took off my slippers. They brought
basin of water and bathed my feet.
While this was going on, they sang one
of their peculiar melodies. afterward
found out that the women did the sing
ing alone, and the words and music are
only taught them after they have two
children. After my feet had been dried,
they spread branches of cedar and pine
before me, upon which l stood. The
singing stopped. Luke Murell then
came to me with a bowl of water. l
took mouthful. First thought it
was joke or a trick, and laughed.
AS the ceremony went on / was con-
WINGED that it was more serious than |
at first had supposed. Twas then taken
through a regular baptism, and when |
received my new name OF 'Barreta'
was told I should never forget it, but
would always be known by it. They
called me Reta' ever afterward. Then
was asked whether was pleased with
the people? said yes Whether I
had been kindly treated? said Yes
Whether I had any reasons to regret
having known themp to which said
mo- Then they asked me
whether 1 had said that |
desired to become one of their number,
and before I could answer that ques-
ton a young girl about ten years old,
the prettiest creature / think ever
saw, ran up to me and gave me what
afterwards found out was bunch of
wild flowers. She got upon the stool,
took me around the neck and whispered
in my ear to say sYes.' / loved the
child, and when she asked me to say
'Yes,' would have done any thing for
her. l said was willing to join them,
whereupon the women folks commenced
to chant some verses, and several girls
ran up to me and kissed me. This,
afterwards learned, was all trick or
trap laid out by the old folks to catch
me. Then 1 was told to kneel down on
the palms. I did so. Mr.. Murell stood
up and told me to repeat after him the
words that he read out. I don't re-
member them exactly as he read them
or said them to me. I only know that
it was a fearful, terrible, binding oath.
/ solemnly swore that / would always
be with and live for the people I had
chosen as my future companions. !
swore never to desert them; never to
reveal their secrets never to complain !;
to be satisfied at all times and under all
circumstances, and always to do all in
my power for the good of those who
were around me. / swore by the stars
and a number of other signs. Then
was welcomed, my hands were shaken
all around, they had more music, the
fire was relighted, and we had merry
time.
| REPENTANCE.
"That's how was made a gypsy.
When got to the tent my head was all
in daze. l could not sleep, as more
fully realized what had done. After
ward found out that my misgivings
were well grounded. The next day
was gradually let into the secret of beg
ging as it is done by the daughters Of
the forest, as they sometimes call them
selves. For two days had to listen to
the old woman giving me instructions
in fortune-telling. For the first season
was only to tell fortunes for young
girls. Twas to Judge them and say most
about love subjects. Afterward I was
allowed to tell any body. If I could lay
my hands on any thing worth having I
could do SO, but it was nobody's bust
ness where / got it. l was never asked
where I got things. was pleased with
the idea of telling fortunes. was
dressed in bright red colors, which were
a strong contrast to my dark skin. !
always wore my hair hanging down and
astring of big yellow beads hung around
4 my neck. l had a bracelet made of
snake skin and / was careful to let every
body see it. Igot along well at fortune
telling. picked up fast, and before
the first season closed knew how to
read human nature very well and could
read character tolerably. Twill not say
much about stealing, for am ashamed.
Some of our wagons had false bottoms,
so that whenever the camp was searched
nothing could be found. If the officers
came they were given full privilege to
search all around, and in this way they
were led to believe many times that we
were really innocent. There is no truth
at all in fortune-telling. We said just
what came into our minds.
some time young man in Tennes-
see came to me and told me to go to q
certain house and induce young girl
to have her fortune told. He told me