Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-01
a GYPSY QUEEN.

She Tells the Fortune of a Reporter and
Talks Chilly About Her Wandering
Tribe.
Although not aware of it, says the
Houston Texas Post, the inhabitants of
Houston have now in their midst a part of
the royal family now reigning over all the
Gypsies in America. With them is no
less a parsonage than Mrs. Mary Arm
strong, first cousin of the late Queen of the
Gypsies in this country, who died in Ten
nessee on the 10th of last March. Hear
ing of this distinguished arrival, re-
porter was Immediately detailed to show
her the courtesy usually shown all per-
sons of note who visit the city, by inter-
viewing her. The family have pitched
their tents on an open space on Willow
street, about two blocks from the San
JacintO Street Bridge, and there Mrs.
Armstrong was found, surrounded by a
numerous family of children and grand
children. In appearance she exactly fills
the description of fair, fat and forty,
although she may be older. Her hair is
jet black, her face rosy and well filed out,
she has benign expression of cOunten-
ance and is possessed of a pleasing adj
dress. She welcomed the reporter and
invited him to be seated, asking if he had
come to have his fortune told. He an
sWered that he had, and after crossing
her palm with silver in the Evolutionary
manner, he extended his palm, the lines
of which she began to examine closely.
She asked his age, the date of his birth
and some other questions of the same
nature, which she stated were intended to
give her a basis upon which to make
astronomical calculations enabling her to
draw his horoscope. Whether from her
powers of diYinatiOn or from accident,
she hit of a very good resume of his past
life and then adjourned the sitting, saving
that she would have to consult her astrO-
nOmical books and charters before she
could go on and fOretell what would
happen to him in the future.
The conversation was then changed and
became personal. She very freely and
pleasantly answered all the questions put
to her. In substance she said she be-
lOnged to the English Gypsies, but had
emigrated to America twenty years ago,
although she did not on that account
sever all connection with the Old COun-
try, as she went back there on visit from
time to time. She had been in Texas for
year past and during most of the time
had made her headquarters at San
Antonio. She said that she was born
with the gift of fortune telling, and could
reveal the past, present and future. Her
powers extended also to giving advice in
business as well as family affairs, and
unless persons who applied to her were
satisfied that they had been well treated,
she made no charge. She brought out
and exhibited papers to the reporter
which proved her tG be a first cousin of
the lately deceased Queen of American
Gypsies, Ganey Jefreys. She further
stated that a grand meeting Of all the
tribes would soon be held, at which sue
cessor to the dead queen would be chosen.
and that the choice would be between
herself and another cousin, who were the
two next in line Of succAssi.,,r - t.i,ia va
cant position. She said that from all APP
pearances she would get the nomination,
as she OutTanked her competitor IN wealth
and social position among the Gypsies.
The conversation was prolonged for some
time, but nothing more of interest was
elected, and the scribe soon withdrew.
From her conversation, it is easily seen
that Mrs. Armstrong has Travelled great
deal, and being possessed of considerable
native shrewdness, has lost no Opportun-
ity of adding to her knowledge.