Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-11-12
A VISIT TO a GYPSEY CAMP.


To the MINING JOURNAL:
Having heard so much during the
past two weeks Of the gypsey camp
and expecting to hear from your cor
respondent, "Eckhart," I had failed to
visit. Not hearing from that source
/ had determined to visit the camp
and obtain glimpse of "Her Lady
ship" who was to give all who came
to her peep into the future as well
as the past. Therefore, Sunday after
noon being my only leisure time we
started, not knowing where their
camping ground was, only that it lay
in the direction of Clarysville. We
found it situated west of that place,
Just below the residence of Mr.. Lewis
Kallmyer, on the county road to
Pompey Smash, about one mile from
here. AS we drew near We were
surprised to note the crowd of people
which I could safely say exceeded
two hundred, and more were coming.
Entering the camp we were accosted
with-"tell your fortune, ladies |
can tell you something that will
please you much shall I tell your
fortune, ladies p She seemed not to
notice the gentlemen with us as she
did not address them. This one
being the younger (there were two)
we thought it prudent to pass on. AS
I had never had the privilege of see
ing sipsey dame I was compelled to
take a second look before I could be
able to give description Of her: She
was dressed in light suit, think it
had once been white, with two ruflles,
velveteen saque, quite a supply of
gold and silver jewelry, nothing on
her head and complexion as if it
had been exposed to the sun ever
since she was born. We made our
way as best we could through a group
of men standing around a crippled
gipsey man, seated on the ground,
who had just finished entertaining
them with music on the violin. We
were met by party Of ladies from
Poupey Smash who had been told
something that pleased them much"
We seated ourselves upon some large
rocks to view the tents and wagons
e,d to look without being disturbed.
But alas our hopes were blighted;
the old dame spied US and came to
ask if we "wanted 10 see her ?" One:
of the gentlemen answered "No,"
but she was not to be batfled so easy.
She then turned to one of the ladies"
"ShallI tell your fortune, pretty miss ?
I answered Eyes; tell her fortune.
What do you charger" "Oh, you
know my price-its one dollar"
1--WE haven't that much" But she
seemed to know better, or pretended
to. "Step aside, miss, SO they will
not hear me. Do now." The lady
spoken to said, turning to me, "tell
her fortune" The other lady said if
| would have mine told she would
have hers; but | was afraid. Her
ladyship thought she was only wasting
precious time and l thought so too,
80 she left us for "richer pastures.
She departed "in all glory" leaving
us with the vain regret Of "the might
have been" am yet under the i'm
preston that before she pulls up
stakes she will get one bright dollar
from one of the ladies, as she does
not seem half contented. We re.
mained but a short time after, watch
ing the crowd, which now exceeded
three hundred-going and coming
from the tents. We noticed persons
from Frostburg, Pompey Smash, Eek
hart and some even from Cumberland.
Nothing then remained but to wsnd
our way to our respective homes
which we did very reluctantly. l
have learned since that the gipsiss
made over seventy dollars that day.
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