The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-11-25
nlanitomof pilot.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1886.
A GYPSY'S BAGS OF GOLD.


1
A ''PaUPER" NoMAD IN A STEAMSHIP
CABIN RAISES A MILLIONAIRE PILE.
New YORK, Nov. 10 Special. +
When the Spanish steamship Bladder
nero Yglesias arrived from Havana
yesterday word was sent to Collector
Magone at the custom house that a
band Of lawless, pauper gypsies, who
were passengers on her, were about to
land. The Collector Immediately is
sued instructions to Superintendent
Jackson of Castle Garden to restrain
them and have proper investigation
made. A representative of the Emig
ration Commissioners was immediate
ly dispatched to Brooklyn, where the
steamship lay, to see the people. On
the vessel he found Betriel Maron
witch, fantasticall y attired French
gypsy, and his family, wife and
seven Children, together with several
of the tribe of which Maronwitch was
chief. The band had several donkeys,
bears, monkeys, and luck BIRDS" but
denied having any money. Their
own acknowledgment of poverty would
have been sufficient under the law to
warrant the authorities sending them
back as paupers. By some means,
however, Commissioner Starr, the
wealthy bank President, heard of the
case and decided to investigate it per
Onally. In company with boarding
officers Hurlich and Eichler Mr.. Starr
paid visit to the band yesterday
afternoon. The gypsy chief had evi-
IDENTIFY been posted on the laws, for
when Mr.. Starr asked, with due sew
Gritty, Have you any money sir?' he
bowed politely and invited them into
his stateroOm. Producing a large,
iron bound oak chest, he said, suavely
mOtiOning his visitors to be seated:
"Gentlemen, | think | have the right
before showing you what money |
have to ask you to show yours"
This staggered Mr.. Starr, who gasp
ed for a moment before replying.
Then, struck by the mans originality.
be fished down into his pocket and
drew out huge roll of bills. Does
that satisfy you?" he asked, laughing.
Count them" answered the gypsy.
He did so. There was just S94 IN the
roll.
The roll was laid on the table and
the Gypsy opened his box and drew
out a large canvas bag. 1t clinked as
he laid it beside the bills, and smiling,
its owner said: There is 500 in sill
YER That beats your bills. Now
place your watch chain, diamond pin,
cuff buttons, and spare change on the
table"
Thoroughly interested and curious
to see what would follow, Mr. Starr
complied.
What value?" tersely inquired the
gypsy.
-Four hundred dollars" responded
Mr.. Starr.
Down went the gypsy's hand into
the box again and up came a larger
bag with the clink of pure gold. The
bag was opened and Mr. STAIRS eyes
watered at the sight he beheld.
That bag contains S1,75O in Span
ish coin" remarked the gypsy, coolly,
'and that beats your pile"
The boarding officers were next
asked to show their money and see II
they could raise the gypsy out of his
little game. Fifty dollars, two watch
es, three rings, one of which was a
large solitaire, and valuables to the
amount in all of over $3.50, We're plac
ed alongside Of Mr. STAIRS money and
jewels.
"Ha, gentlemen, is that all?' asked
the gypsy, deprecatingly.
Mr. Starr looked annoyed and pro
badly thought of putting up a 500,
600 bank account, sundry stocks and
bonds worth 100000 more and his
vast possessions in Ninth Ward real
estate He said nothing, and with a
quick motion the gypsy fell on his
knees beside the strong box and drew
forth bag after bag of gold coin.
How much is there on the table,? he
| inquired as he lifted out an extra
heavy bag. "Seyen bags" responded
Mr. Starr Then gentlemen" re-
piled the candidate for admission in
to the United States, you have the
| evidence before you that | am worth
at least $500 in gold and silver
| Now. if you want futher evidence, I'll
lift out the remaining twelve bags
and show you the contents. Do you
which to see them?"
| While he was speaking Mr.. Starr
was replacing his valuables, and when
this question was put he burst into a
roar Of laughter. 30, never mind the
other bags" said he. You can raise
me out Of gold as it is, but any time
you want to try me on real estate or
other securities just step up to the
bank"
With this Mr.. Starr departed, in
structing the boarding officers to in
form Superintendent Jackson to lool;
out that the gypsy pauper didn't come
over and buy Battery Park for cash.
The gypsy refused to state the exact
amount Of his possessions, but, judg
ing from the gold alone, Mr.. Starr
concluded that it could not be fan
I from $1,000 or $4,000,