The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-11-13

Different Countries
| once knew a Gypsy named Carpenter
nearly 100 years olJ--cxacLly - in the sum-
mer Of 1874, when l was favored with his
wise cCmpaniOuship among the beautiful hills
and valleys Of western Pennsylvania. His
great age, and Il certain amount of boo
knowledge he Lad somehow acquired, made
him a sort Of seer among his race. always
approached him with real vencratiOn, AID
when one day / asked him why Gypsics were
wanderers hc instantly answered in Rom
many:
"Bccausa they are Gods chosen people,
am pretty sure the old rascal did not be-
Iieve what hc sad, because there was a half
wicked, merry twinkle i'll his eyes, and be-
sides We were ut that moment occupied in
dressing some plump chickens over whose
manner Of getting into camp thought best
to throw the mantle Of silent charity; but he
graycly proceeded to draw a host of simili-
tudes between modes of gypsy life and those
Of the modern patriarchs, laying great em-
phasis upon the statement that gypsies We're
the true descendants of the house of Recha-
bites 50 loved of the Lord for its peoples
faithful Observance of divine commands.
Then he glibIy quoted from jeremiah;
Neither shall yc build house, nor sow seed,
nor plant vineyard, nor have any; but all
your days yc shall dwell in tents; that ye may
live many days in the land where ye be
strangers
AS little weight rs need he given to this
idea, it il true that L have discovered this
thought to be prevailing one with the race
III many lands, and have traced it thor
oughly among the gypsies of to-day rs to ven
turs the statement that something like it IS
with them n universal underlying ethnologi-
cal and ethical principle and belief. a not
greatly dissimilar thought or pretense GER
tainly served them well between HOO, tho
date Of their first appearance in Europe, and
ijO, when they had become known and recog
nized with much favor in every principality
of Europe.
PILGRIMS uF ,-pELE BLOOD.
However Slich ri..uf uay have been suS-
gcsted to them, they everywhere appeared as
pilgrims" of noble bIooi under pcnance for
some fictitious infringement of divine law to
wander without covering for their heads
through Christian lands for long term of
years. This delusion found ready accept
ance, auI the various bands were
well appareIc,I mounted upon the finest OF
steeds, possessed many indications of oriental
prestige, and Were withai picturesque to
great degree, each horl" having its titled
leader known as "count' or duke or lord"
of ~little Egypt their increase III popularity
and numbers was marvellous. The idea that
they were genuine pilgrims and holy persons
soon prevailed throughout all Europe, the
memory Of the Crusades being still n glowing
fervor among the people, prompting quick
motive for sympathy i'll all professedy holy
undertakings, and the willy prrteutlers every
where easily secured passports, seals, safe
conducts, amt liberation from kings and
princes.
From these Egyptian pilgrims came
Gyptians, and hence gypsies, whi Ii name, al
though now regarded by the entire race as n
term Of rcproach, the more digniiie,I Rom
many from Rom, Ram, the first, the head be-
ing their own prized appellation, viii always
cling to them as closely aS the unfortunate
i'll repute into which they soon fell after their
generous welcome into European countries
They are variously known, according to HOY
land, by the MOors and Arabians rs Charami,
or robbers, pretty severe name among ma
tions Of robbers; rs Cyganis, in Trausyl-
vania; TscEingencS, among tho Turks and
other eastern nations; Tzganys in Hungary;
ZinSaris, i'll Italy; Zigermers, in Germany;
Bohemiaus, among the French; Gitanos and
Liganos respectively, III Spain and Portugal,
and III Holland Is HeydenS, or heathen
They can never Lc other than plain gypsies
III all English speaking COUNTRIES unless, as
IS not impossible III America, their numbers
wealth and rvspcctabiity shall so increase
that they may III time command the self
bestowed titlc of their ancient race, the Rom
many. they So dearly love AMI 50 grudgingly
cherish Eigur l.. Walsemau in Chicago