Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-21


the Alleged t:ipsies in this Country
as Mere Horsc.tradcrs-The Peram.
bulating Palace i'm which the King
and Queen Hold Court.
Threading his way over the brick floor between
the rows OF stalls in Wash Majors stable, STAR
reporter last evening hurried to pay his respects
TO the royal visitors who arrived in this city per
private carriage on Saturday last The long lines
OF blanketed horses on each side were at dinner
and the munching and sDortlng, which are the
uSull accompaniment OF an equine repaSt
seemed to be conducted In lower key than usual,
and 1t struck.the reporter who had never been at
court, that 1t was perhaps due to the subduing in
1ueace which royalty exertS At the lower end
'here was Wide space where a number of car
rlages stood, and in the midst, standing out
In bold relief in the dim light. was a
large wagon covered with white curtains
cl1sely drawn The wagon was or the same style
as q grocery wagon, except somewhat longer and
perhaps wider. Light running gear and l. springs
showed That 1t was built for travel On one OF the
curtains was painted imitation OF window,
but with this exception the white exterior was
unreIevei except by the black border around the
small glass windows. As the visitor approached
n sptZ dog and small yellow woody Companion
that was tied under the wagon arose and seemed
TO take some interest. in languid sort of n way,
In the movements OF the stranger, which was per-
| maps pardonabe under the circumstances, and as
they were tied excited no alarm. Gong up to the
SIDE, The visitor raped on the curtain, which
eLcited quick response from within. Presently
the curtain was thrust aside ana head covered
with mass OF gray hair appeared, and the owner
seeing strangera once aghJed from the wagon.
lie introduced himself
"oTHO ILL.,, KING OF THE ENGLISH GIPSIEs'
and gave the reporter cordial greeting. AS he
stood outside his strange habitatton the uncertain
llght from the fickerng gas jets falling upon his
barred head, the reporter gaZed at him with some
curiosity Beneath the mass OF gray hair, which
crowned his heada pair OF bright grey eyes looked
chr,
same color as the hair fringcd the face which was
not Drowned and tanned by exposure to the
weather, but on the contrary, was fair. The face
OF student, one would say, and at any rate of a
man OF some ability. His language which was
correct and free from any peculiar dialect. rather
tended to strengthen such an impression. lie
were a pi;ick suit, and the only popularity about
his garb was q bright red handkerchief, which
hung down from his collar, conceal1ng his shirt
front.
THE Gypsy QUEEN
After eXchanging.a few words with the reporter
he turned again to the wagon, and drawing aside
the curtain, said: "EInma, here is visitor" A
woman's head, covered with a profuslon of light
blonde hair appeared at the opening, and the re-
porter was introduced to the Kings wife, the
Gypsy Queen 1t had been some time since he had
Dcen on such familiar footing with the TOP round
OF royalty, but the reporter adapted himself as
Tapiiy as possible to the new sensation. When
lilc hlng invited him TO step into the palace and
When the invitation was aft lbly seconded by The
queen. IL was with a heart swelling with proud
and entered the royal abode. The interior was
brightly lighted by means of lamp, which was
suspended from a bracket at the side The Queen
occupied the seat which Is used by the driver when
the vehicle Is In motion, and the seat and back
were neatly upholstered I'm brown leather To
make room for the visitor the Queen hau by the
hlngs direction, tossed some things that were
lying on the seat back on the bed, which occupied
q portion or the rear of the wagon The Queen
moved up TO make room for the reporter, who sat
down by her side, and then the King clamberinc
up drew the curtain and occupied the other end OF
lne seat, forming sandwich OF rare and unique
combination The quarters were rather close,
put II was nat might be called cosy. Over the
front hung blanket, and at the back of The seat
n FIGURED SILK CURTAIN
was suspended on rod.
This curtain" said the King, sis usually COW
cred by lace curtain which Emma has made.
She makes very beautiful lace. That is speci-
men," he continued, pointing to a fine lace collar
which the Queen Wore. The reporter embraced
tne opportunity OF gazing on her face as well as
the Goilar. she was evidently much younger than
the King, and had a rather attractive face and
RECOMMENDATION was as free from any grammatical
defect or provincial twang as her husbands
Speaking OF his wife the king said: s.She is nv
second VIE, and we have been married about four
years, AMI IL has been just about that time since
we landed In this country"
where did you come from?, asked the reporter
with some curiosity.
al am from Wales and belong to the glpsias of
that country. Ny wife is a Scotch gypsy have
some Irish AMI Scotch blood in my veins but a
drop OF that old IIlndostan blood has made me a
wduieFer all my life. People suppose that the
glpsieS come from Egypt, but that IS great mis-
lake The genuine gipSies are of HndOstan
blood
Have you always lived this way?" asked the
reporter. Wv
Yes. we always take the wagon alone and in
t:iio Way we have travelled through Great Britain
Spain, france, Italy, Germany, and part OF Rus
5i$ We are free, you see In this way OF living
we travel until we get tired and then we stop and
II the weather IS warm pitch our tent On the
ground. cook cur meals, and spend the night Or
else we can stay right here in the wagon as this
is q complete house in ITSELF
Are you connected with any Of the bands OF
SipSeS IN THIS country?" questioned the reporter
we came over with several others, who are
now In New York stato, but we have no connection
with the most OF these gypsy bands / don't
they are horse Traders"
What IS your busineSs?" asked the reporter
with the modesty OF the craft
I'VE are scene Players replied the king 1--WE
represent scenes from Shakespeare and the Eng
ilSh comedies, and my wife is a reader. She also
.elis fortunes; and that Is what we do mostly In
the winter. In the White mountains this summer
we entertained the guests at the hotels by our
acting, and we are now our way to Florida
where the northern people spend the wintern
How long are you going to stay here?"
ION! well, we don't know. 1t Just deDends on
now we like 1t, and whether We make any money
for you know" added the king I'm a burst OF frank
ness, 1--WE must earn our living"
Inc king further added that they intended to
move into rooms on 18th street. The reDOrter
was honored by the receipt OF card emitting him
70 nave MS fortune told by the fair queen and as
ne Is not anxious to have his wife die SO as to
marry another, he relies upon the queen to point
mine. eo"